The 15 Best Shampoos For Kids In 2022

I’ve touched upon the topic of good shampoos for children a few times before, but I haven’t really managed to delve into the subject properly until now.

That’s why I set myself the task of finding out just what the best shampoo for kid safety was?

The results were plentiful and I wanted to share them with you.

Many shampoos made the list at first and several were shaved off due to the strict requirements baby shampoo needs to have to be even remotely considered usable.

As your kid grows older their sensitive skin becomes more resistant and it helps broaden the choice of kid’s shampoo that’s available, but it’s still better to be safe than sorry.

A kid’s shampoo needs to satisfy a number of conditions before you include it in your baby grooming kit.

The main one being that it must not have any strong chemicals that might harm the baby, irritate their sensitive skin, or sting their eyes.

This is usually achieved through using plant-based chemicals, ones that are naturally occurring rather than made in a lab, since they tend to sting less than the latter.

If you can avoid sulfates or parabens, that’s all the better since they are usually the main culprits when it comes to baby shampoo viability.

It’s also worth noting that you should look for a shampoo that’s labeled “tear free”, just in case a bit of it ends up near your baby’s eyes.

Even if you’re careful, accidents can happen so it’s worth keeping an eye out for.

As an added note before we start our list off, you should look for a baby shampoo that doubles as a moisturizer and a conditioner on top of being shampoo.

That’s because some babies tend to have skin that dries out quickly during bath time and a product that helps keep it moisturized will aid in preventing this from happening.

That should about cover the basics – you’ll end up seeing a lot more niche benefits as we go down our list.

1. California Baby Super Sensitive Shampoo and Body Wash

Here’s a prime example of what you should be on the lookout for when buying a good baby shampoo.

It’s purely natural as it’s made from organic calendula and aloe vera plants to help keep the skin from drying out.

It also has a natural soapiness thanks to soap bark and organic glucosides, which are all harvested sustainably to help keep the company’s carbon footprint as low as possible.

The other added benefit is that it’s completely hypoallergenic, although if either you or your child has a coconut allergy you should know that this product contains coconut oil, so do keep that in mind.

The product itself is also cruelty-free, meaning it’s not tested on any animals in the way some brands used to several years ago (some still do).

The best part is that it’s a 2 in 1 product, meaning it’s both a baby shampoo and body wash all in one neat package.

No need to purchase several individual products when one can do all of the work on its own.

2. Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

Puracy doesn’t fall far behind California Baby – if at all. They’ve really given it their all when it comes to producing a quality product.

It is a baby shampoo enriched with essential oils to give it a relaxing, non-toxic aroma and feel when you apply it to your baby’s soft and sensitive skin and an extra nourishing citrus grove and pink grapefruit smell.

The shampoo itself is organic, like our previous one was, and not only that, they’re even an award winning brand for best baby skin care.

The people over at Puracy made sure to hire the best health experts they could get their hands on to produce this lovely product (it’s the one that I ended up getting for my child after an initial mistake) and it does wonders.

Unlike most other kid’s shampoo brands, Puracy actually produces a healthy amount of suds, and because it is non-toxic and irritant free your baby can have a bit of fun during bath time.

The lack of irritation is achieved by using sea salts to keep the product neutral, minimizing the chances of a poor reaction to the organic compounds within the shampoo itself.

Both hypoallergenic and irritant-free, the product doesn’t contain any harsh chemicals.

That means there are no sulfates, no parabens or phosphates, no artificial dyes or animal-based byproducts and the like, keeping it cruelty free as well as environmentally friendly.

And the best part is that the folks at Puracy offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee that their shampoo is a non-toxic one, made out of only the best natural ingredients with the entirety of its contents and the packaging being fully biodegradable.

It’s even gluten free and vegan friendly in case that’s part of your lifestyle, meaning they even cater for people with rather specific eating habits.

Finally, know that you are supporting a US-made product, if you’re the kind of person who likes to support our national producers.

3. J’Organic Solutions Shampoo & Conditioner Set For Kids

A shampoo meant for kids aged 3 months and up, the J’Organic Solutions shampoo does wonders for strengthening your child’s hair as it contains a plethora of different vitamins.

The vitamins include biotin, niacin, and vitamins E and B6, all paired with sunflower oil and green tea oil whose purpose is to give hair that protective sheen.

All of this while remaining tear-free as well as being paraben, phthalate, and sulfate free.

Not only that, it also has the added benefit of moisturizing the skin by using an aloe vera extract, giving the hair more volume through the use of select wheat proteins and finally, a dash of argan oil to add the finishing shine.

The product also uses fully natural cleansers to keep the child’s natural oils intact, while still clearing out any filth and grime that may have accumulated through your little one’s daily play.

And, thankfully, it also has a solid 30-day return policy in case you aren’t satisfied with the product, which is always a good thing to have in the modern age where every penny matters and decisions are sometimes hard to make.

4. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash

This brand name might seem familiar to you and for good reason. Burt’s Bees makes quite the quality baby products.

Their shampoo is no exception either. It helps clean your baby’s sensitive skin nicely and leaves it smelling as sweet as honey.

The product itself is clinically tested and is completely free of any phthalates, parabens, sulfites, and petroleum-based byproducts.

As for what keeps it properly moisturizing the baby’s skin if it doesn’t contain aloe vera. Well, it’s one of the next best things – soy proteins.

Yes, those puppies work just as well as aloe would. They hydrate the skin at equal potency, but at a much more affordable price.

While some people may claim that it is expensive for the amount you get, I believe it to be great value for money as you receive three whole bottles of the stuff.

It’s more than enough to last you a good few months if you’re washing your baby properly.

More on that later, but the short version of it is that babies don’t really need to have their hair constantly washed, once every few weeks is just fine for them.

5. Fresh Monster Shampoo & Body Wash

This is one of the most affordable shampoos on our list, after all, a budget option is something one should always take into consideration, right?

Well, this option shouldn’t be overlooked just because of the lower price as it can still compete with the best of them.

This gentle shampoo brand was founded by two moms who sought to create a cheaper alternative to the shampoos that were on the market at that time and this is what they came up with, Fresh Monster.

The tear-free formula that the shampoo is made out of is also toxin-free as well as being free from any parabens, sulfates, phthalates, BPAs, and any artificial fragrances and colorings.

Speaking of fragrances, they are all natural.

I know fragrance isn’t every mother and child’s cup of tea, but at least there are a variety of options, ranging from watermelon and coconut to ocean splash.

While it does moisturize rather well, it doesn’t lather onto the skin quite as well as other products, due to the lack of any artificial chemicals, but at least it’s practical and easy to apply regardless.

This is all thanks to the simple, kid-safe squirt bottle design that lets them slowly learn how to wash themselves as they grow older.

Not to mention the little colorful cartoon character that all kids seem to love, making the design more fun than some of the more clinical-looking bottles from competing shampoo brands.

And the most important bit is that the shampoo isn’t tested on any animals, flagging it as a cruelty-free product by PETA.

6. Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo For Children

If your kids are already having problems with cradle cap and dandruff, then this just might be the shampoo that you need.

Certified by pediatricians and dermatologists nation-wide, Dr. Eddie’s happy cappy anti dandruff shampoo helps fight off not just dandruff, but many other skin problems including the aforementioned cradle cap, as well as any form of skin flakiness and itching.

This is also the first shampoo/body wash that is specifically manufactured to help deal with these issues in babies as normally you’d need a set of stronger chemicals to help keep them in check.

Not anymore thankfully as thanks to the use of pyrithione zinc, babies too have a fighting chance against dandruff and other skin problems.

Not only that, but with the addition of licorice root extract, not only does it prevent the irritations from occurring, the baby wash also helps soothe any currently active ones as well, helping provide near instant relief for your little one.

And, naturally, since the product has been tested by skin-care and child professionals, it’s only logical that this product is BPA-free, contains no phthalates, parabens, or sulfates and most importantly, is cruelty free.

A medical solution to all potential bubble bath time problems you may end up having.

7. SHEA MOISTURE Mango & Carrot Kids Extra-nourishing Shampoo

Now, this one is specially made for all of you mammas who have kids with curly hair that can get all messy and tangled up, making it a nightmare to clean during baby bath time.

It’s a fact that curly hair can be a nightmare to deal with and that you may end up accidentally pulling on your precious child’s hair at times when you don’t intend to.

This is where SHEA MOISTURE Mango comes in and helps you out.

It’s all-natural formula helps soften the hair and acts as a detangler, loosening up any knots that may have formed during active play time or nightly tossing and turning.

Not only is it good for detangling, but the shampoo also helps strengthen the strands of your child’s hair through its unique approach.

This leaves it a lot shinier and more presentable than before through repeated washes, ensuring no split ends or weak hair occurs.

It’s arguably the best shampoo for curly hair, though it isn’t exclusive just to curly or frizzy hair, but can, of course, be used for all hair types.

It also serves as a natural moisturizer thanks to the carrot oils it contains as well as a cleanser, keeping the baby’s scalp fresh, breathable, and clean and stimulating further hair growth.

8. Honeydew’s Anti Dandruff Shampoo for Kids

Here’s yet another excellent anti dandruff shampoo – Honeydew’s anti dandruff shampoo.

And that’s because this one is far less clinical and potentially a lot more pleasant to both you and your child (not that anything was wrong with the one before).

The secret behind the all-natural power of Honeydew’s shampoo is in the jojoba oil added into the blend to help soothe the baby as well as small hints of lavender and tea tree oils to create a wonderful fragrance and make it feel a lot more immersive.

Much like the SHEA MOISTURE Mango, Honeydew’s works for all hair types as well, keeping even the most feral of manes tame with it’s all natural power.

And, much like all of the other shampoos on this list, it’s completely free of parabens and phthalates, as well any BPAs and artificial ingredients that create fragrances and colors and the like.

The company also offers a 100% money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. Thankfully, they’ve had very few complaints about their product so far.

9. Mustela Gentle Shampoo, Baby Shampoo And Detangler

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys everything avocado, then you might want to try getting Mustela’s Gentle Shampoo for your child.

Made for all sorts of hair types, this is arguably the best shampoo for kid scalp treatments you can find for a reasonable price.

As for the avocado bit, well, the people at Mustela use a natural ingredient called Avocado perseose, which helps their shampoos do everything you want a shampoo to do.

They pair it with a hint of chamomile extract to make the experience all the more mellow and relaxing for the baby’s hair and sensitive skin underneath.

As it is constructed out of mostly natural ingredients,the Mustela Gentle Shampoo is completely paraben, phthalate, and sulfate free as well as being free from any BPA’s, phenoxyethanols, artificial colorings and scents.

In fact, over 93% of the product is all-natural, with the remaining 7% being a relatively negligible margin in comparison.

If that percentage still frightens you given that it’s the biggest one mentioned so far, don’t worry as the product has been meticulously tested by dermatologists and pediatricians from all over the country, ensuring a quality product for your kids.

10. Everyone 3-in-1 Kids Soap: Shampoo, Body Wash, and Bubble Bath

Here’s something a bit more colorful to break the monotony of all of these bland-looking bottles.

While it won’t be winning any design contests itself, it still stands out from the many others that just look like a large bottle of nail remover.

I know, I know, looks aren’t everything, but they are what attract us to a brand regardless of whether they’re good or not.

Luckily, this one has both looks and functionality.

This shampoo uses essential oils, much like some of the previous mentions on this list, to help relax the baby and make them less fussy during bath time.

This also has the added benefit of keeping the skin nice and silky.

The way they generate their cleanser suds is by extracting derivatives from coconut oil, so your child can have all the foamy fun they want.

Do keep this in mind though if your baby boy or girl is allergic to coconut (especially since most natural shampoos use them for this very purpose).

The shampoo is also chock full of the finest ingredients, like chamomile, white tea extracts, and calendula, all for the very purpose of creating the ultimate relaxing baby spa experience, or the closest thing to it.

This is especially true when considering the fact that they also add vitamin b5 and vitamin E to maintain the skin’s elasticity and general softness and strength.

And, naturally, their products are not tested on animals – animal cruelty is a widely condemned and shunned facet of an older time after all, and any company worth their salt (or suds in this case) knows to stay away from such a barbaric act.

That’s not where the positives end though as the shampoo is also free from any BPA’s, parabens, phthalates and the packaging is fully recyclable.

Not to mention the fact that it contains no synthetic odors as the oils they mix in are more than enough to provide a pleasant aroma.

The scents available include the classic freshness of orange citrus fruits and tropical coconut scents, unfiltered and ever so lovely.

Or, for the true spa experience, there is a nice lavender scent that will have you transported to a flower field where you can see your baby enjoy themselves fully.

It’s definitely a candidate for being the best shampoo for babies overall.

11. PURA D’OR All-in-One Baby Wash

Speaking of neat bottle designs, Pura D’or has one of those lovely tinted bottles that brighten up bath time for your little one.

It’s not only tear-free, but it’s a neutral solution that won’t sting any part of your child’s sensitive skin or their eyes.

Plus, it’s totally BPA, artificial dye, and fragrance free as well as being hypoallergenic.

That’s not all, as the name implies, it’s an all-in-one baby wash as well, including shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, bath wash, and a detangler.

This way you’ll save your sanity and your money as you won’t have to find individual brands that might cover just one or two of these tags.

And, of course, the baby wash is free from phthalates, BPA and parabens, as well as from any of the strong sulfates found in adult shampoos, ensuring your baby’s delicate features are kept safe and unharmed at all times.

The shampoo’s soothing ability is due purely to aloe vera, meaning it contains no harsh cleansers that might irritate your precious child’s sensitive skin or even damage it.

And, they offer a 100% money-back guarantee in case you’re not convinced that they’re the best of the best that the baby shampoo market has on offer.

This means that there’s no harm in trying their product to see if it works for your child as you can purchase it completely risk-free.

That makes it great for your budget, which is already probably well-dented from all the other baby products you have to pay for.

12. SoCozy 3-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner + Body Wash

Speaking of amazing designs, the SoCozy kids shampoo offers a colorful bottle that will save you plenty of bathroom space since this is a shampoo, conditioner, and body wash combo.

But again, looks aren’t everything so always look at the label!

As the label itself says, the product is free from any parabens, phthalates, and sulfates – the standard for any kid shampoo.

And, it’s even a 3 in 1 deal as the name implies; shampoo, body wash, and conditioner all wrapped up together in a rather pretty little package that your child is sure to love looking at during bath time.

Parents of kids with long hair particularly love this product as it makes for quick and painless brushing after bathtime.

13. My Little North Star’s Baby Shampoo & Body Wash

While we’re on the topic of cute designs, My Little North Star does it in a simple, yet still rather cutesy and captivating manner, blending the two into this little product of theirs that’s sure to give you the value for money you ought to always be looking out for.

The most important thing, as always, is that the baby shampoo in question is made out of completely organic materials and ingredients and that the entire thing is fully biodegradable.

It has even won a Mom’s Choice gold award for best baby shampoo in regard to quality and child safety.

This means that the product is completely tear free, and helps in preventing eczema or any other potentially problematic skin conditions.

It is also paraben, phthalate, sulfate, and BPA free and doesn’t contain any strong, artificial dyes and fragrances.

On top of that, it also doesn’t rely on any petroleum-based derivatives, formaldehyde, animal by-products, or similarly hazardous chemicals.

It’s also cruelty free, which they’ve chosen to symbolize with a lovely illustration of a little smiling elephant on the front of the packaging.

They’re so certain of their hypoallergenic and overall quality organic shampoo that they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee and the ability to return the product back to them within 30 days for a full refund if you are not being satisfied.

14. Scents 2 Sense Dandruff Shampoo & Conditioner

Scents 2 Sense dandruff baby shampoo is another option to consider if your child is having issues with dandruff and the like.

As with many of the other products listed here, it’s completely tear-free, with a balanced pH level and is free from any sulfates, parabens and phthalates, leaving your baby’s skin safe and unharmed.

The shampoo is also vegan and gluten free, helping ensure that both babies and adults can use it without risking accidental ingestion and suffering any harsh allergic reactions.

Thankfully, the product is also fully cruelty-free so you can have a clear conscience when using the Scents 2 Sense shampoo in your baby’s washing routine.

And, as many good companies do, they offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, letting you return the product if you aren’t completely satisfied with it.

15. The Honest Company Perfectly Gentle Sweet Orange Vanilla Shampoo + Body Wash

Last but most certainly not least on our list is yet another well known brand name, the Honest Company.

You might know them from their diaper and wet wipe lines, but they also make really good shampoo.

While many features might seem similar to those of other products, things like being paraben and SLS free, with no phthalates or synthetic fragrances or colors and the like, their hypoallergenic nature and similar, there is one thing where they do stand out.

And that’s the fragrance.

The ever-refreshing blend of orange and vanilla extract just fills the air with a soothing, yet oddly energetic smell at the same time, leaving you and your baby inspired to explore something new in a rather chilled out manner.

The only downside is that the packaging is plastic so it’s not fully biodegradable, but the rest of it is rather amazing so don’t let that dissuade you from considering this amazing (and amazingly affordable) baby shampoo.

Why Use Baby Shampoo Instead Of Regular Shampoo For Babies?

Well, the shampoos adults commonly use are stronger than the gentle baby ones as they contain sulfates.

They help with washing oils out and such, helping them dissolve better.

The problem is that this usually leaves our hair and scalp dry, something we as adults can handle, but kids still have sensitive skin and it’s not as easy for them.

Unless you want to carry around a bag of extra lotions to help them out when they take a simple bath.

It’s often the cause of many rashes and irritated spots, a mistake I made in my initial bout with motherhood, when I accidentally used my own body wash on the baby, giving her a rash that lasted for a while.

I’ve regretted my dreadful lapse of judgment ever since then and decided to listen to what the professionals told me.

Are Baby Shampoos Dangerous For Your Kids?

Absolutely not.

While there are mentions of potentially risky chemicals inside, their amount always turns out to be rather irrelevant compared to the amount of shampoo it arrives in, barely anything to cause even the slightest issue.

Your bigger concern is dealing with any relevant allergens they might contain.

That said, most baby products related to hygiene are tested to exhaustion because finding out their product has caused harm to a baby could spell disaster for a brand after all.

Can Adults Use Baby Shampoos?

I mean, yes you can, they still are just simple shampoo, albeit a lot milder and gentler than the kind you normally use.

This means that you might not be able to get all of the sweat, beauty product residue, and other similar stuff off of you as effectively.

Though, if you do have issues with dry hair or have rather sensitive skin, you might want to try using a baby variant since they’re hypoallergenic more often than not, meaning they’re less prone to causing irritation.

How Often Should I Shampoo My Child’s Hair?

When they’re still rather young, there’s really no point in doing it too often. Unlike us, kids still have a bit of their natural dirt protection.

They also don’t apply various hair or skincare products like we often do, so around one to three times a week should suffice.

Doing it too frequently will risk damaging their scalp and potentially causing issues with it later down the line.

In Conclusion

When looking for the best shampoo for kid hair care, you’ll end up being spoiled for choice due to the sheer number of existing brands and just how saturated the market is in general for all baby products, not just shampoos.

It can be tough to decide which of the key buzzwords are actually relevant and which of them are just a PR agent’s dream and you might end up getting overwhelmed.

That’s okay, every mother feels like that, and as I say in almost all of my articles, don’t be afraid to ask.

You’d be surprised just how many people are ready to spring into action and offer their experiences as advice for when you need some guidance.

Sure everyone might paint our world as ugly, but that’s only a minority of people.

A lot of us, especially us moms and our kids, can find common ground even if we’re bitter rivals and help each other out, especially when it comes to our kids.

Even something as trivial as choosing between Aveeno Baby, Honest Company or Cetaphil for your desired baby shampoo can spur a whole squadron of moms to help out.

I can guarantee you that there are several moms in your neighborhood with some experience regarding the topic, or at least some that can tell you how good their shampoo was for their kid’s hair.

That’s just in case what I’ve listed here doesn’t end up helping you narrow your choices down, which, as always, I hope it does, otherwise why bother writing it, right? Ha!

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