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Welcome to my guide on the best organic and non-toxic baby wash brands! This helpful guide is the perfect resource for parents of babies and young kids looking for a healthier soap for sensitive, delicate skin. I break this post down into detailed sections with the safest baby washes, ingredients to avoid, and brands to stay away from so that you can feel confident in your purchase!
As a mom of two, I always want to be mindful of what products I use on my kids. There are so many brands out there that seem clean and healthy, but unfortunately, sneak in potentially harmful ingredients that I prefer to avoid as much as possible. I never want to introduce any products that will irritate my kids' skin, and body wash tends to be a big culprit if you aren't careful of ingredients!
Since I have tried so many nontoxic baby bath products over the years, I've been able to narrow my list down to the best of the best! I created this guide to save you time, as I've already done all the research myself! These are some of the safest baby soaps on the market, and my family has had great experiences with these brands. Keep on reading to discover the perfect fit for you and your little ones.
What Does "Non-Toxic Baby Wash" Mean?
In the simplest terms, a non-toxic baby wash is free from potentially harmful chemicals, toxins, and irritants. Keep in mind, however, that products can be advertised as natural and healthy while still containing problematic ingredients. When it comes to finding the best non-toxic baby wash, I have a list of standards that I expect to see and prefer for my family.
I personally look for hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formulas without any parabens, phthalates, or sulfates. I also love buying from brands that have special certifications and clinical testing, so that I can feel confident in the quality and safety of the product! I will break all of this down in more detail later in this post. Keep reading below to learn more about my favorite brands for nontoxic baby shampoo and body wash!
Best Non-Toxic Baby Wash Brands
Why I Love It: EllaOla's products are all favorites of mine, and their organic body wash appears first on my list because it's my top pick for the best non-toxic baby wash!
EllaOla's mission really resonates with me, because it was founded by a mom who struggled with finding a solution for both of her kids' eczema. Disappointed by the ingredients in most eczema products available, she decided to create the cleanest most-effective option for kids to help as many families as she could!
She developed EllaOla's formulas with 3 Harvard pediatric dermatologists for 2 years before EllaOla launched. Not only that, she vetted over 100 ingredient suppliers globally and only used the best quality ingredients from the best country of origin (e.g. sunflower seed oil from France, coconut oil from Philipine, Jojoba oil from Argentina, etc.).
Both of my kids are prone to eczema, and I've noticed a major difference when I use EllaOla's body wash for them vs. other brands. With EllaOla, their skin is a lot smoother, less irritated, and less itchy overall.
I also feel good using their wash because their clinically tested tear-free shampoo and body wash is hypoallergenic, EWG, and USDA Biobased verified, and boasts the National Eczema Association Seal. EllaOla is formulated to be extra gentle, and bans over 2,500 ingredients including top allergens such as fragrances, essential oils, dyes, parabens, sulfates / SLS / SLES, propylene glycol, and more.
Not only does EllaOla have one of the best organic baby soaps, they also make a non-toxic hydrating lotion, a non-toxic hydrating bath soak (which also doubles as a washcloth thanks to the organic cotton bag!), and have an eczema skincare bundle which I absolutely love! Find their full collection of clean baby bath products and more here.
Price Per Ounce: $2.50 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Why I Love It: Babo Botanicals non toxic baby soap is developed specifically for newborns, babies, and toddlers to clean and nourish even the most sensitive skin. In addition to being fragrance free and cruelty-free, it is also EWG Verified® to meet the strictest standards for safety and health. I really love the nourishing ingredients in this baby wash, like shea butter, oat, and aloe vera.
Babo Botanicals was also founded by a mom who wanted to create better products for her kids, and for kids around the world. I love that they are also a Certified B Corp, which means it's been verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability ( source).
Made with 23 plant-based ingredients, including their certified organic Nutri-Soothe® Herbal Blend, you can feel good about using this body wash for your baby during bath time!
Price Per Ounce: $1.90 / Fl Oz at Walmart when purchasing 3-pack
Why I Love It: California Baby's unscented shampoo and body wash is gentle and non-drying, made for all ages! This product stands out to me for its 100% plant-based system, which is the first of its kind to utilize isolates of basil and anise.
This baby wash is USDA Biobased certified, vegan, contains organic ingredients, and is free from fragrance, essential oils, and harsh chemicals. It is also strictly allergy tested with no risk of contamination, making it one of the cleanest baby soaps on the market!
California Baby was developed by a mother over 28 years ago. All products are blended & manufactured in California Baby's own FDA Registered manufacturing facility in Los Angeles. California Baby is proudly family owned & operated.
I would often use this for my kids when they were infants, because it was a super easy two-in-one wash - so I could use it both as a shampoo and body wash which was so convenient!
Price Per Ounce: $2.12 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Why I Love It: Carina Organics keeps things simple with their unscented baby wash! This hypoallergenic and tear-free product is formulated specifically to lather less and rinse easily for a gentle yet effective cleaning.
I love that their ingredients are organic and sustainably sourced, and that all of their products are free of cortisone, steroids, DEA (diethanolamine), sulfates, salt (sodium chloride), propylene glycol, aluminum, synthetic fragrances, and dyes.
They've been around since 1972, and have been replacing chemical and synthetic ingredients with natural and organic plant extracts, essences, and oils from the beginning - so you know that this is a brand you can trust!
Price Per Ounce: $1.90 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Why I Love It: Another great option on my list is Dr. Bronner's unscented castile soap. With the minimal ingredient list and EWG Verified, I would feel good about using this soap for my kids!
It provides a gentle foam and leaves skin soft and clean. Not only is this one of the best organic baby wash options for your little one's skin, but it can also be used around the house as a natural cleaning product (the label of the bottle provides instructions on how to do this).
This baby wash is made with 70% certified organic & fair trade ingredients, and comes in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles to help reduce waste & have a positive environmental impact.
I love that with this product, no parent will have to worry about potentially harmful chemicals that their kids could come in contact with in the home!
Price Per Ounce: $0.85 / Fl Oz at Walmart
Why I Love It: Earth Mama Simply Non-Scents Baby Wash is next on my list, with a similar formulation to Dr. Bronner's. I recommend this baby wash to friends and family with very sensitive, eczema prone skin, as it was awarded the Seal of Acceptance™ by the National Eczema Association.
This baby wash impresses me with its simple yet soothing ingredients like calendula, aloe vera, and shea butter. It is free of artificial fragrance, preservatives, Triclosan, phthalates, and sulfates.
Just like Dr. Bronner's, this can also be used in DIY household cleaners in addition to just using it as a body wash for your baby!
While this baby wash does come in scented versions like lavender, sweet orange and ginger, I prefer their unscented version since it's the least likely to irritate your baby's skin.
Price Per Ounce: $1.03 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Why I Love It: Hello Bello Shampoo & Body Wash is a great hypoallergenic option, free from all common allergens like gluten and soy. It is made with a blend of soothing botanical extracts for an extra gentle clean. Plus, this is a USDA Certified Biobased Product!
Their fragrance-free line has almost no scent at all, but leaves your baby's skin super soft and balanced.
This all natural, non-toxic baby wash is pediatrician-approved, hypoallergenic, tear-free, not tested on animals, and is designed with babies, budgets, and the planet in mind. Not only that, Hello Bello believes in giving back and has donated over 7 million diapers (and endless wipes and care products) to parents in need!
Price Per Ounce: $0.63 / Fl Oz
Why I Love It: The Honest Company baby wash is made with babies and sensitive skin in mind, using nourishing ingredients like calendula extract and aloe vera. This hypoallergenic wash is free of fragrance, phthalates, parabens, dyes, and other concerning ingredients.
It also happens to be tear-free, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-tested. I appreciate that this is a USDA Certified Biobased Product and a great option for those with eczema since it boasts the National Eczema Association Seal!
Price Per Ounce: $1.14 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Why I Love It: Vivvi & Bloom 2-in-1 Fragrance-Free Wash & Shampoo is another healthy, gentle option for babies! Thanks to it being EWG Verified and clinically tested, you can feel confident in this product. With soothing shea butter and glycerin, this baby wash will leave skin feeling hydrated.
This gentle baby wash is paraben-free, sulfate-free, non-toxic, free of phthalates, phenoxyethanol, dyes, gluten, silicones and essential oils. Additionally this product is not tested on animals and is 100% vegan.
They're also an eco-friendly company! Their packaging is made with 100 percent recycled content, contributing to the reduction of virgin plastic use.
Price Per Ounce: $1.17 / Fl Oz on Amazon or Walmart
Why I Love It: Finally, on my list of best nontoxic baby soaps is the Evereden Baby Shampoo & Body Wash. This fragrance-free option is EWG Verified and Eczema-Approved, so even the most sensitive skin can enjoy it! It's designed to balance the pH of your baby's skin, with plant-oils to help soothe dry or sensitive skin.
It's also tear free! And while it's well suited for the newborn years, it can easily just transition into your child's toddler years making it super versatile for all ages.
But I love most about Everdeen is that their products are made with the help of three Harvard and Stanford doctors who are all moms themselves!
Price Per Ounce: $2.01 / Fl Oz on Amazon
What To Look For In Non-Toxic, Organic Baby Wash
Designed For Babies: When shopping for a baby wash, I think it is important to look for one that is specifically made with babies and sensitive skin in mind! These formulations will always be more gentle and non-irritating.
Organic Ingredients: I love brands that prioritize organic ingredients in their formulations, being as close to 100% organic as possible. In addition, I like to look for natural, plant-based ingredients that are more nourishing to the skin.
Fragrance Free: Essential oils have their place, but when it comes to baby products I prefer to stay away from both synthetic and naturally fragranced products. Fragrance free baby wash will be the most gentle and safe, reducing risk of any irritation to the skin.
EWG Verified: While this isn't completely necessary, I do find it comforting to see that EWG verification. This indicates that the product meets EWG's strictest standards, free from any harmful chemicals or contamination concerns.
Tear-Free Formula: I don't rank this one as high in importance, but I still think it is something to consider! While there are a lot of high quality, non toxic baby washes that are not tear-free, you might prefer to avoid the potential discomfort. I always suggest being careful around the eye area regardless, but if you want to stress less, this may be the way to go for you!
Ingredients To Avoid
Fragrance: Not only is fragrance potentially irritating to the skin, it is also often undisclosed. I don't love the idea of not knowing where this fragrance is sourced from and what hidden chemicals are in a product. Synthetic fragrance contains phthalates, which are a well-known endocrine disruptor.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG Compounds): PEGs are commonly used as emulsifiers and cleansing agents in cosmetic products. It is best to avoid PEGs as they can contain carcinogenic impurities such as 1,4-dioxane, ethylene oxide, and propylene oxide ( source).
Other Ethoxylated Ingredients: PEG, PPG, polysorbate, laureth, ceteareth, and steareth are all ethoxylated ingredients that you may see on personal care product ingredients. As mentioned above with PEGs, these ingredients can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, ethylene oxide, and propylene oxide which are carcinogenic ( source).
Benzyl Alcohol: This is used in many cosmetic products as a preservative, solvent, or fragrance component. Delayed contact dermatitis reactions, as well as systemic reactions have occurred after contact with benzyl alcohol. ( source) According to the EWG, it is ranked high for allergies & immunotoxicity.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Used as a surfactant, cocamidopropyl betaine is commonly found in body washes and shampoos. It is known to cause irritation and allergic contact dermatitis and may be commonly contaminated with toxic impurities ( source). When found in products that are rinsed off quickly, there is less of a concern but I think it is still important to be aware of the potential risks!
Parabens: Parabens are used as preservatives in many personal care products. They are another endocrine disruptor, imitating estrogen in the body. Women's exposure to parabens has been associated with poor reproductive health and there are potential links to breast cancer.
Sulfates: Sulfates are foaming agents commonly used in formulations for body washes and shampoos. There are various types of sulfates with the most well-known being sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA). Sulfates are known to cause irritation to the skin and are particularly harmful for those with sensitive skin or eczema ( source).
Phthalates: Not only are phthalates used in cosmetics like shampoo and cleansers, but also toys, packaging, and fragrances. They are considered to be one of the top endocrine disruptors, interfering with the body's hormone function which impacts normal growth and fertility.
Formaldehyde Releasers: Formaldehyde releasers such as sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate are used as an antimicrobial preservative, and form formaldehyde in products like shampoo, soap, and baby wipes. These types of preservatives are associated with allergic contact dermatitis and sensitization ( source). Other ones to look out for include polyoxymethylene urea, diazolidinyl urea, bromopol, and DMDM hydantoin.
Talc: Luckily talc is not as popular in baby shampoos and body washes, but it is important to check the ingredients. Talc is linked to cancer and can be contaminated with asbestos ( source).
Triclosan: This is used to prevent bacterial contamination, commonly used in soaps and body washes. Some studies have shown that a high dose of triclosan can impact thyroid hormones, and there is concern for antibacterial resistance with repeated use of triclosan-containing products ( source).
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT): BHT is another common preservative found in both personal care products and food. It has been linked to toxic effects in lung tissue.
Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone: MIT and MCI are popular preservatives used in personal care products to prevent bacteria or yeast growth. MIT has been linked to neurotoxicity and both are largely associated with allergic reactions.
Phenoxyethanol: Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used in personal care products like body wash. While phenoxyethanol is more harmful in powder or spray formulations due to inhalation ( source), I still wanted to make note of it on this list. It can cause skin, lung and liver irritation, along with potential for kidney and nerve damage ( source).
Brands That Are Just Ok
Weleda 2-in-1 Gentle Shampoo + Body Wash: I do love the soothing calendula in this formula but it also includes fragrance and essential oils.
Babyganics: While Babyganics does offer a fragrance-free baby wash that is pediatrician and dermatologist tested, I recommend only using this in a pinch. It contains capramidopropyl betaine and ethylhexylglycerin which could cause irritation ( source).
Burt's Bees: Burt's Bees offers a fragrance-free foaming shampoo and wash made for sensitive skin, but it does contain phenoxyethanol.
Puracy: The Natural Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is tear-free, hypoallergenic, and pH balanced with 98.8% natural ingredients. However, they do not offer a fragrance-free option at this time.
Scented Earth Mama Organics: While these are made with no synthetic fragrance, triclosan, sulfates, phthalates, or parabens, the lavender oil may be irritating to a baby's delicate skin.
Scented Hello Bello: Overall, the Hello Bello scented baby washes are clean and non-toxic with EWG verification. They are hypoallergenic, tear-free, and dermatologist-test, but the fragrance may cause irritation.
Scented Honest: The entire Honest baby shampoo and body wash line is made without parabens, phthalates, or SLS/SLES but the extracts and oils could irritate sensitive skin.
Scented Dr. Bronners: While Dr. Bronner's soaps are EWG Verified and a great option for most adults, the scented soaps use essential oils, which have the potential to be irritating for delicate baby skin.
Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash: Pipette offers a EWG Verified, fragrance-free option, which would be a good choice, but I would suggest avoiding the fragrance options in case your baby is sensitive.
Brands To Avoid
Aquaphor's Gentle Wash & Shampoo: This product contains sodium myreth sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine, so it is best to avoid!
Cetaphil Baby Body Wash: This body wash contains sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, PEGs, and fragrance. I suggest leaving this one on the shelf!
Dove Baby Night Time Wash: With cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium benzoate, and fragrance included in the ingredients, I do not recommend this baby wash.
Johnson & Johnsons: Their Baby Bubble Bath and Wash contains PEGs, fragrance, cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxyethanol, and sodium benzoate.
Baby Magic: While this brand does make a "Delicate Wash" it still includes fragrance (parfum) and phenoxyethanol, with many products also containing PEGs, cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium laureth sulfate.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found my guide for the best nontoxic baby wash brands to be helpful! With so many options and confusion behind what is considered "clean" I know it can feel overwhelming to find the best fit for your baby. For the best all-in-one pick, EllaOla is definitely the one I would choose, but any of the "best of" brands would be great choices as well!
