Many parents say that feeling their baby’s soft, delicate skin is one of the best feelings in the world. However, the delicate nature of baby skin makes it harder to care for.
The best natural baby wash will nourish your little one’s skin instead of drying it out. It will also be free of irritants including dyes, fragrances, chemicals, and more.
Keep reading to find our top choices for a natural baby wash so you can maintain your baby’s natural softness.
Always consult with your pediatrician before using any products.
Best Fragrance-Free Baby Washes
Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Wash is not certified organic although it has all natural ingredients, however, Earth Mama Simply Non-Scents Baby Wash is certified as an organic product.
Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Wash
Although Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Wash is not certified organic, it includes the EWG Verified seal as a safe product. To get this seal, they have to have the best of the best ingredients. Also, some of the ingredients are certified organic.
What we love about this soap beside the EWG seal, is easy to understand ingredients. The list includes aloe juice, coconut oil, sugar, coconut, oats, calendula, chamomile, watercress, kudzu, meadowsweet, vegetable glycerin, cocoa, and shea butter. Moreover, the ingredients are cruelty-free, vegan, and autism-friendly.
The wash is scent-free with all-natural ingredients. This leaves your little one with a fresh, clean feeling without worrying about harsh fragrances. For babies with sensitivities, a soap like this one keeps them clean and safe.
Another benefit of this natural baby wash is how it nourishes your little one’s skin. The ingredients are pH balanced for skin health. It’s perfect for babies with eczema and sensitive skin as it’s hypoallergenic and extra mild so your baby can have soft, comfortable skin without irritation, itching, or pully.
Something to note is that this is not tear-free and you should avoid getting the soap into your baby’s eyes.
Pros
- Labeling is very transparent
- Mild without scent from natural ingredients
- Hypoallergenic, vegan, and gluten-free
- EWG verified
- Large size
Cons
- Not labeled as tear-free
- Can still make extra sensitive skin dry
- Contains potential irritants/allergens
Earth Mama Simply Non-Scents Baby Wash
Earth Mama Simply Non-Scents Baby Wash is designed with a castile soap derived and calendula formula. It is made especially for sensitive skin without any harsh additives or chemicals.
The Earth Mama line was formulated by a nurse herbalist who has an understanding of how different ingredients interact with your baby’s sensitive skin. It is naturally vegan and gluten-free and made without antibacterial chemical, sulfates, synthetic fragrance, phthalates, and parabens.
The naturally-derived oils and herbs found in this natural baby wash are certified organic by Oregon Tilth. While the scent-free has the least added oils and will maintain your baby’s natural smell, there is also the option of calming lavender and sweet orange for parents who prefer scented baby wash.
The soap is sold in a pump and foams nicely. It is not a tear-free formula, but you can still use it being cautious of your baby’s eyes. Additionally, if you use too much, it can leave behind a white residue on your baby’s skin or your bathtub.
Pros
- Castile soap derived
- Oils and herbs are certified organic
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Comes with a pump
- Option for scented or unscented
- Rated 1 by EWG (Environmental Work Group)
Cons
- Not a tear-free formula
- Can leave behind a film if too much is used
- Contains potential irritants/allergens
- Contains ingredients with potential toxicities
Best Natural Baby Washes
Aveeno Baby Gentle Bath Wash & Shampoo is a tear free wash and shampoo, safe for your baby’s eyes; whereas Nature’s Baby Organics Shampoo & Body Wash is not tear free so be careful around your little one’s eyes during bath time.
Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo with Natural Oat Extract
Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo with Natural Oat Extract is pediatrician-recommended and has a gentle cleansing formula that nourishes your little one’s skin. It is free of harmful ingredients including parabens, dyes, steroids, and phthalates.
This wash lathers nicely and leaves a light, fresh fragrance and soft skin after a wash. It is also tear-free in case it gets in your little one’s eye.
The two main ingredients in this soap are oat kernel extract and glycerin. The oat kernel extract soothes irritation and moisturizes naturally, while glycerin derived from vegetables hydrates the skin and maintains moisture. The blend of ingredients is also hypoallergenic, which is good for babies with sensitive skin.
One thing to note is that even with the oat extract, this can be harsh on open or raw skin. You should avoid bathing your little one with this if they have a severe diaper rash or other raw skin.
Pros
- Has a nice lather
- Contains oat kernel extract that soothes and moisturizes the skin
- Glycerin is plant-derived and hydrates skin while maintaining moisture
- Tear-free
- #1 pediatrician recommended natural baby wash
Cons
- Harsh on raw skin
- Contains potential irritants/allergens
- Contains ingredients with potential toxicities
- Contains fragrance
Babyology 100% Edible Baby Wash & Shampoo
Babyology 100% Edible Baby Wash & Shampoo is free of all harmful ingredients and so safe that your baby could eat it and be okay. All the ingredients are naturally-sourced and approved for use on the most delicate newborn skin.
The formula is non-greasy, hypoallergenic, tear-free, and free of parabens, dyes, and perfumes. This is rose-scented, however, the gentle aroma comes from naturally-derived rosewater that hydrates deeply and coconut fruit extract, which is an oil that nourishes, hydrates, and softens your little one’s skin.
The key ingredient in this is oat aminos. Oat aminos have natural cleansing and foaming properties, though they do not become as sudsy as you’d expect from a normal shampoo or baby wash.
Something else to note is that the size of this bottle is significantly smaller than some others. It does have a pump that makes it easy to get just the right amount of soap without waste, but it does cost more per ounce than some of the other options.
Pros
- So safe your baby could eat it
- Scent comes from rosewater
- Has several natural ingredients to nourish and moisturize your baby’s skin
- Oat aminos are naturally cleansing and foaming
- Pump makes it easy to use the soap
Cons
- Not as sudsy as typical baby wash
- More expensive per ounce
- Contains potential irritants/allergens
- Contains ingredients with potential toxicities
- Contains ingredients with potential endocrine disruption
Nature’s Baby Organics Shampoo & Body Wash
Nature’s Baby Organics Shampoo & Body Wash is a great choice for parents who want a scented baby wash that won’t dry out their baby’s skin. Ingredients like fruit extract, aloe leaf juice, calendula, and natural oils nourish and provide moisture.
The fragrance in this best natural baby wash comes from natural organic oils. It is available in coconut pineapple, lavender chamomile, and vanilla tangerine. The scents are mild and will not irritate your little one’s sensitive nose.
This one does have a pump on it that makes it easier to apply. It is not tear-free, so you’ll need to be cautious around the eyes and the pump helps with that. Something else to note is that the pump is susceptible to wear and tear, so it might not last until the end of the bottle.
Pros
- Available in mild, natural scents
- Calendula and aloe soothe and moisturize
- Pump makes it easier to apply
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Several pleasant scents
Cons
- Pump wears down with use
- Not tear-free
- Contains potential irritants/allergens
- Contains ingredients with potential toxicities
- Contains polyethylene glycol
Don’t forget to grab some natural baby shampoo and natural baby lotion, too!
Comparing Natural Baby Washes
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Nature's Baby Organics Shampoo & Body Wash | 3.9 | 9.2 | 38.04 |
| Earth Mama Simply Non-Scents Baby Wash | 8.3 | - | 34.99 |
| Babyology 100% Edible Baby Wash & Shampoo | 9.8 | 8.4 | 32.99 |
| Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Wash | 9.9 | 9.4 | 13.50 |
| Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo with Natural Oat Extract | 9.8 | 9.6 | 10.99 |
FAQs About Natural Baby Wash
Many of the ingredients included in these products are controversial, or have limited or no data/research on use for babies. Some ingredients have been linked to health problems. Many products have not been evaluated by the FDA. Since no studies have been conducted with these products on babies there is no absolute certainty that these are 100% safe. Always consult with your pediatrician before starting any products on your baby.
Since the FDA does not regulate cosmetic products, the Environmental Work Group (EWG) has created a database of products. It offers information on the most popular products and ingredients, such as whether the product is an irritant/allergen or linked to organ/reproductive toxicities. It rates products from 1 to 10, with 1 being the least toxic. It is best to stick to products that rate EWG verified, 1 or 2.
Why is baby skin so sensitive?
Like every other organ in your baby’s body, their skin is still developing when he or she leaves the womb. It has less elasticity than adult skin and hangs loosely around their body. Your little one’s skin will strengthen significantly in their first year of life. Until then, your baby’s skin is more sensitive because of its thinner nature.
Baby skin also dries out faster. Even though evidence shows that baby skin retains more moisture than adult skin, it loses moisture quicker. This happens because your baby’s skin is much thinner than yours.
Finally, your little one’s skin and body absorb more toxins than an adult’s skin would. This includes irritants that are found in many health in beauty products. Additionally, because babies have less fat and an immature detox system (the kidneys and the liver), it’s important to choose a baby wash that does not have any harmful ingredients.
What should I look for in a good natural baby wash?
Natural baby washes are designed to gently cleanse their skin without removing extra moisture.
One good thing to look for is a wash that’s labeled hypoallergenic’. Even though you shouldn’t trust this label too much (it is not regulated), it does generally mean that it is free of common irritants. This includes harsh fragrances, sodium laurel sulfate, dyes, phthalates, and parabens. You can find some other common ingredients that irritate baby skin here.
You should also look for something that is non-drying. When baby skin dries out, it can become reddened, irritated, and inflamed. Choose a product that gently cleanses the skin. It should be gentle enough that it is approved for daily use.
Finally, be wary of synthetic fragrances. Even though some smells are soothing and pleasant, fragrances are a known irritant for sensitive skin. Something that is too strong can also overwhelm your baby’s senses. If you do want to choose a scented product, look for fragrances derived from natural sources.
What is the difference between natural and organic?
The biggest difference between natural products and organic products is how heavily regulated they are.
Label claims like natural’ or all-natural’ are not regulated. Usually companies use this label when they derive their ingredients from natural sources. They usually also avoid unnatural fragrances, dyes, and irritants.
Certified organic products, by contrast, are heavily regulated by the FDA. For parents who don’t want to research every ingredient in their little one’s natural baby wash, certified organic might be a better choice. This is especially true for babies who have a history of allergies or skin problems.
Certified organic products are either completely organic or the company must list each ingredient that is organic. To receive a certification from the FDA, at least 70% of the products in an ingredient must be derived from organic sources.
