9 Best Baby Shampoos and Body Washes

Why pick this one? Pampers Parents picked Johnson’s baby shampoo as their number one choice. Trust in the shampoo was one of the main reasons they cited for purchasing it for their babies. Many also pointed out that it’s the shampoo nurses used on their babies in the hospital. This baby shampoo has a tear-free formula that the manufacturer claims is as gentle as pure water. It’s also hypoallergenic and free of chemicals and additives (parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and dyes). According to the manufacturer, it will leave your baby’s hair soft, shiny, and with a pleasant scent that many Pampers Parents said they liked. Keep in mind that this product is only a baby shampoo, which means you’ll have to purchase a separate baby wash for your little one. But with its budget-friendly price, it won’t set you back.

Highlights: This newer formulation, with 50 percent fewer ingredients, is designed to be gentler on your baby’s skin.

Price*: about $6.12 on Amazon.com

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Why pick this one? Aveeno’s two-in-one baby shampoo and wash came in at second place. This shampoo and wash contains natural ingredients to make it tear-free, hypoallergenic, soap-free, paraben-free, and phthalate-free. The manufacturer claims it’s formulated to moisturize your baby’s skin. Many Pampers Parents cited Aveeno as the brand their babies’ pediatricians recommended, as well as the brand fellow parents recommended because it’s delicate on babies’ scalp and skin. The manufacturer claims it’s safe to use every day if you wanted to—that’s how gentle it is. One of the most commonly cited negatives was the lack of a pump on the bottle, a feature that can make it easier and safer to bathe your baby since you won’t have to use two hands to get the shampoo out of the bottle. Always keep one hand on your baby to keep her from sliding into the bathtub.

Highlights: It features oat extract, which the manufacturer claims can have a soothing effect on your baby as well as a nourishing effect on your baby’s delicate skin. Price*: about $8.92 on Amazon.com

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Why pick this one? Baby Dove body wash can be used all over your baby's body as it’s a two-in-one shampoo and body wash. Dove claims that the wash doesn’t strip your baby’s skin of moisture and nutrients during bath time, leaving it hydrated. The fact that this shampoo is made with a moisturizing formula was the biggest factor for Pampers Parents in choosing this product as their third favorite. Designed for babies with sensitive skin and delicate newborn skin, it’s hypoallergenic, pH-neutral, tear-free, and fragrance-free. It’s produced without parabens, phthalates, and dyes. Please note that with your purchase, you are getting three bottles of Baby Dove. Each bottle comes in at under five dollars, making this the most affordable product on the list.

Highlights: Dove claims that its baby shampoo and wash has been tested and approved by ophthalmologists, dermatologists, and pediatricians, but you might like to ask your baby’s healthcare provider for a personalized recommendation. Price*: about $14.35 (for three bottles) on Amazon.com

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Why pick this one? Babyganics two-in-one shampoo and body wash is made with all organic ingredients, and the manufacturer claims this makes the product extra gentle on your baby’s skin. It’s also marketed as tear-free. The ingredients are derived entirely from plants. The formula contains no parabens, sulfates, phthalates, petrolatum, mineral oils, dyes, or artificial fragrances. It’s non-allergenic and hasn’t been tested on animals—the only product on this list with that designation. Pampers Parents noted they really liked the foaming formula, which made it easier to lather up their babies and left much less of a residue than other liquid baby washes. Please note that with your purchase, you are getting three bottles of Babyganics. Each bottle comes in at under 10 dollars.

Highlights: The manufacturer claims its product has been approved by dermatologists and pediatricians, but it’s worth asking your own healthcare provider if you’re looking for a product that’s endorsed by a medical professional. Price*: about $28.50 (for three bottles) on Amazon.com

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Why pick this one? What sets Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo apart from the other products on this list is that it’s made with organic calendula, which is extracted from marigold flowers. The manufacturer claims this extract has nourishing properties for your baby’s skin. Pampers Parents cited calendula as the number one reason they buy this two-in-one baby wash and shampoo. The formula also contains vitamins E and B5 and aloe vera. The body wash was specially designed for infants’ and babies’ delicate skin so that it doesn’t dry the skin and scalp. It’s also hypoallergenic and tear-free, and contains no parabens, colorants, or mineral oils. Some Pampers Parents did note that the formula didn’t lather as much as they would have liked, but that tends to be the case with organic products.

Highlights: Cetaphil claims its baby wash has been approved by dermatologists. It's always wise to check with your healthcare provider for guidance on which product might be best for your baby’s skin. Price*: about $7.99 on Amazon.com

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Why pick this one? The Honest Company claims it does its very best to select only those ingredients that are safe for babies. This two-in-one baby shampoo and wash is hypoallergenic, mild, and tear-free, and it’s made without using sulfates, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, synthetic fragrance, dyes, or any other harsh chemicals. It’s gentle enough to use every day, and it leaves the skin soft and moisturized. Many Pampers Parents also mentioned that they use the product on themselves, too, not just on their babies!

Highlights: The manufacturer claims the sweet orange vanilla scent is their most popular fragrance. Pampers Parents agree, citing the fragrance as one of the top reasons they choose this product. Price*: about $8.99 on Amazon.com

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Why pick this one? Although this product from Mustela is just a shampoo and not an all-in-one wash, the shampoo is formulated to help clear your baby’s cradle cap. To help with cradle cap, this product contains ingredients like BHA, salicylic acid, and climbazole that, according to the manufacturer, cleanse your baby’s hair and help gently exfoliate her scalp. Mustela’s formula is hypoallergenic and tear-free. It doesn’t contain parabens, phthalates, and phenoxyethanol. It’s made with 99 percent plant-based ingredients that may help hydrate the scalp. Many Pampers Parents hailed this shampoo for working wonders on their babies’ cradle cap, and they really liked the formula’s foaming action. Since it’s a specialty shampoo, it is more expensive than most other products on this list, which is a downside mentioned by some Pampers Parents.

Highlights: Mustela claims its product was tested extensively by pediatricians and dermatologists to guarantee it’s safe for babies from the moment they are born. You may want to ask your baby’s healthcare provider for advice, especially if your baby has cradle cap or any other skin condition. Price*: about $12.50 on Amazon.com

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Why pick this one? If you’re looking for a natural two-in-one baby shampoo and wash from a brand that’s trusted by many Pampers Parents, this product from Burt’s Bees could be the one. Pampers Parents said that they could depend on this body wash to be safe on their babies, and they liked the pleasant scent. This baby wash is gentle and tear-free, and it’s made from a non-irritating formula that doesn’t include parabens, phthalates, or sulfates. It’s made with 99.9 percent plant-based ingredients. The manufacturer claims one of the main ingredients, soy protein, helps nourish your baby’s skin. It’s worth noting that this product’s price is on the higher end, so it may not be the most budget-friendly choice.

Highlights: The manufacturer claims this product has been tested by pediatricians and is safe for daily use. Price*: about $13.49 on Amazon.com

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Why pick this one? Aquaphor’s two-in-one baby wash and shampoo is formulated to be gentle on your baby’s skin. It’s made without parabens or dyes and it’s fragrance-free, which is ideal for babies with sensitive skin. The formula includes natural ingredients such as chamomile essence and vitamin B5, both of which the manufacturer claims are soothing as well as moisturizing for your baby’s skin. Most Pampers Parents tended to agree with the manufacturer’s claims that the shampoo and wash moisturizes babies’ skin. The fact that it’s also fragrance-free was very important for them. But some wished it lathered better.

Highlights: The manufacturer claims it’s recommended by pediatricians, but you may wish to confirm this with your baby’s own healthcare provider. Price*: about $8.79 on Amazon.com

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The Bottom Line

Choosing the right baby shampoo and wash isn’t necessarily a hard decision, but knowing that you’ve picked one that is safe and helps nourish your little one’s skin is important. Going by the feedback of Pampers Parents, you can’t go wrong with any of the products on this list—meaning that finding the right baby shampoo and wash is now even easier. If in doubt, you might like to try a few different ones, or ask your baby’s healthcare provider to recommend one.

Recall Notice

Before buying a product, always check that it’s approved and hasn’t been recalled on sites like the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). *Prices are correct at the time of writing.

How We Got These Results

We surveyed thousands of parents in the Pampers Community and asked them to choose the products they love the most, and to share their views on specific products and product categories. Based on the survey responses, we have taken the top product picks and added our own research to create this article. The aim is to help you choose the right product for you and your family. We might receive commissions on purchases made from the links in this article, but the products featured are the Pampers Community’s top choices.