10 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Kids in 2023: Tested Non-Toxic and Gentle

Newborns and their delicate skin are some of the most adorable things. Every mother wishes to keep their babies glowing and healthy. The very delicate skin of little babies needs to be handled with extra care, including washing their hair with carefully formulated products. One of the most common headaches for new mothers is how to cleanse the sensitive scalp of their babies. Choosing the right type of shampoo for your toddlers and kids will make your parenthood journey much easier.

Well, regular shampoos and conditioners often contain ingredients that might be damaging to the sensitive scalp of children! That’s why experts recommend choosing a gentle, chemical-free shampoo for children’s hair and scalp.

To find the best shampoos for kids, our editors and experts have carefully evaluated a handful of popular baby shampoos and conditioners on the market. Among them, we have only picked a few items for this list that are designed to get your kids squeaky clean without any toxins.

Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Kids

Our Top 3 Picks

Best Natural Shampoo for Kids: Pipette Baby Shampoo and Body Wash

Pipette Baby Shampoo & Body Wash has gathered rave reviews on Amazon and Walmart. The secret? A clean, natural, unscented formula.

While evaluating, our experts found that all ingredients in this cleanser are rated 1-2 out of 10 on EWG’s Skin Deep Toxicity Scale. Note that the scale rates products and ingredients on a scale of 10, while 1 indicates the least toxicity and 10 indicates the highest.

Hence, this gentle shampoo has one of the safest formulas for the sensitive scalp and skin of kids. Hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, and tear-free, no doubt that this shampoo and body wash duo will allow your baby to have some fun bath-time moments besides growing healthy and strong hair.

Best Shampoo for Kids with Dry Scalp: Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo

Babies are very sensitive to all forms of synthetic products that come close to their skin. Puracy proves that baby shampoos can be effective without utilizing any toxic chemicals. Formulated with natural ingredients derived from plants, Puracy Baby Shampoo is one of the best hypoallergenic and natural baby shampoos you can find on the market.

Puracy’s gentle formula includes coconut oil that helps unclog hair follicles and nourishes the roots for healthy hair growth in kids. While the citrus and sea salt blend helps balance the scalp pH, resulting in a relieved or soothing scalp.

Additionally, the vegan formula works as a natural moisturizer to prevent dry scalp conditions. The formula also will work great to provide a delightful bubble bath for kids. Lastly, All the organic extracts combine to offer a light, citrus scent that every baby will love after a bath.

Best Shampoo for Kids with Sensitive Skin: The Honest Company Perfectly Gentle Shampoo

The Honest Company Sweet Orange Vanilla Shampoo is packed with naturally derived ingredients to help clean and nourish your baby’s hair and scalp. This one is specially formulated, keeping babies with sensitive skin in mind.

Not just formulated with natural ingredients such as jojoba, aloe vera, almond, and coconut oil, the shampoo is also free from harsh chemicals like parabens and sulfates. Hence it’s safe for babies who are prone to allergic reactions.

Moreover, this product works very well as a body wash for kids. Besides cleansing, hydrating, and nourishing the skin, this product also creates a sense of soothing freshness after each bath.

Tear-free, the manufacturer ensured that the formula wouldn’t cause a burning sensation. Most parents also validated the claim. It is unscented, so a great choice for parents looking for something that doesn’t irritate their baby’s skin.

Non-Toxic Shampoos & Conditioners for Kids

Rated Highly by Parents and Experts

Mustela Baby Gentle Shampoo

Cradle cap is another very common scalp condition in newborns, but new parents often fail to spot the difference between dry scalp and cradle cap. While newborns usually have a soft, delicate scalp, you will need a gentle formulation that can cleanse your child’s scalp without irritating the skin.

You will find a few cradle cap shampoos out there that can clear up cradle cap flakes effectively. The Mustela Baby Gentle Shampoo is one of them! The shampoo uses a high concentration of natural ingredients to facilitate the removal of cradle cap flakes quickly. Unlike regular shampoos that dry out the scalp, Mustela’s gentle formula ensures your baby’s skin remains naturally soft and moist.

The tear-free formula utilizes the power of Avocado Perseose to gently cleanses the hair and scalp. It’s dermatologically tested as safe and free from harmful chemicals such as parabens, phthalates, and phenoxyethanol. And it has a wonderful smell that’s not overpowering. 

Johnson’s Ultra-Hydrating Kids’ Shampoo

Johnson has been a trusted brand name for decades in baby care products among new parents. One of its popular baby products is Johnson’s Ultra-Hydrating Kids’ Shampoo which comes in a 13.6-fluid-ounce bottle.

Specially formulated for cleansing your baby’s delicate hair and scalp, this shampoo is enriched with essential nutrients, like proteins and pro-vitamin B5, for faster hair growth in babies. In addition to being gentle and harmless to the eyes, this formula is also completely free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. Moreover, Johnson’s reputation in the dermatology industry guarantees that this shampoo is safe for your child.

This soap-free shampoo deeply cleanses the scalp to promote healthy hair growth in kids. As an ultra-moisturizing shampoo, it keeps the baby’s hair moisturized for a long time. Therefore, it is an ideal shampoo for kids during the dry winter months.

Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo

Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo is the ultimate solution for treating dry scalp, dandruff flakes, and similar skin conditions in babies. The formula of Happy Cappy is specially created to effectively fight flaking, redness, itching, scaling, and irritation in children of all ages.

Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Medicated Shampoo is formulated with the active ingredient Zinc Pyrithione. This FDA-approved active ingredient is proven effective and safe for kids.

This Happy Cappy readily available over-the-counter solution comes in an 8-fl oz bottle. You only need a small amount to wash the full body from head to toe. Not just an effective baby shampoo for dry scalp or dandruff; adults can also use this shampoo to treat similar skin issues. So it’s a good idea to store it safely once used rather than going back to the counter again.

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Wash

Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Wash comes with eye-catching packaging full of powerhouse ingredients. Environmental Working Group (EWG) certified as non-toxic, this hypoallergenic shampoo is fragrance-free and super moisturizing.

Formulated with 4 potent organic botanicals (shea butter, calendula, aloe vera, and chamomile), this Babo Botanicals Shampoo gently cleanses even ultra-sensitive scalp and hair. With the 2-in-1 formula, you no longer need to use a separate body wash after washing the little one’s hair. Therefore, it makes your baby’s bathing time more hassle-free and time-saving.

Most parents validated that the shampoo lathers well and leaves your baby’s hair soft and shiny.

Other Recommended Shampoos & Conditioners for Kids

Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel Lice Shampoo

The Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel Lice Shampoo is a mild cleansing formula designed to keep your baby safe from head lice. This formula gently cleanses the hair, leaving it soft and with a light sweet fragrance.

Specially formulated with natural ingredients such as organic rosemary, citronella, tea tree, and geranium oils, this shampoo offers up to 96% protection against lice. The shampoo also uses a powerful blend of jojoba and chamomile to replenish lost moisture and nutrients during a bath. Hence, your baby is more likely to have a hydrated and moisturized scalp. 

The shampoo is easy to apply on wet hair and rinses thoroughly without leaving any greasy residue. It’s also a tear-free shampoo that can help remove your baby’s dry scalp flakes and deliver a smooth, shiny texture.

Furthermore, this product has been tested safe by dermatologists and pediatricians. Free of gluten, parabens, or phthalates, it is ideal for both kids and adults with head lice.

Cantu Care for Kids Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner Duo

Honey is the sweetest thing to eat and the best you can use on your skin due to its antibacterial, nourishing, and moisturizing properties. The Cantu Care for Kids Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner is formulated using a powerful blend of honey fresh from the hives, shea butter, and coconut oil.

The mango butter ingredient provides a moisture-rich emollient to your baby’s hair with a silky and soft touch. On the other hand, carrot oil prevents hair follicle breakage and stimulates blood cells for natural hair growth. As it brings out healthy and beautiful curls with a beautiful smell, your baby can say goodbye to dry, frizzy hair. 

Other natural ingredients include coconut oil to seal open hair cuticles and orange blossoms to soothe sensitive scalps. Hence, this is one of the few baby curly hair shampoos and conditioners that you can use daily without worrying about skin irritations.

SoCozy Kids Swim Shampoo

This one is a multi-purpose cleanser from SoCozy. You can use it as a shampoo, a conditioner, and a body wash for kids. The formulated is enriched with activated charcoal, jojoba oil, and coffee seed extract to remove chlorine and green tones from damaged baby hair usually caused by chemicals and saltwater from kiddie pools during the summer season.

The combination of natural ingredients also strengthens the hair root and infuses hair with moisture to promote growth. This unique shampoo is exceptionally gentle to the baby’s skin as it is free from toxins. It doesn’t irritate the eyes even if some amount gets in the eyes, making bath time fun and hassle-free. 

When used properly, a one-time application is enough to bring back the pre-summer softness to your child’s hair. You don’t need to use a conditioner with this shampoo to give your baby a shiny look. It has a strong smell, but your kid will love it.

Read Also: Best Baby Washes and Shampoos For Eczema

Best Shampoos for Kids

Questions & Answers

What is the best shampoo for girls?

When it comes to choosing a shampoo for girls, it shouldn’t be a tricky one. Unless your baby has longer hair, you can just go for any gentle baby shampoos from our list. If your baby is growing long hair, we recommend Johnson’s Ultra-Hydrating Kids’ Shampoo. The ingredients of Johnson’s Ultra-Hydrating Kids’ Shampoo support healthy hair growth.

If you have a kiddie pool in your backyard where the water is a little salty, consider using a shampoo that will protect your baby’s hair from chlorine and salt. In this case, we recommend the SoCozy Kids Swim Shampoo.

Should you go for natural or organic baby shampoo?

The term “natural and organic” is popular among new parents. They often get confused about whether to choose natural or organic baby hair care products. However, this choice mostly depends on you. Both natural and organic shampoos are great for kids. Both types of shampoos use natural ingredients while steering clear of chemicals and unnatural additives. Because of the use of natural ingredients, they are most likely safe for kids.

If you prefer natural over regular shampoos for kids, we recommend looking at the Puracy Shampoos since this baby shampoo contains mostly natural ingredients. Nonetheless, most of our recommended shampoos are safe and effective for kids.

What’s the difference between a regular shampoo and a baby shampoo?

Here are the key differences between a regular shampoo and a baby shampoo:

1. Baby shampoos are free from sulfates and harsh chemicals, so they are gentle on the baby’s skin. On the other hand, regular shampoos contain cleaning agents and chemicals to remove dirt. 

2. Baby shampoo usually uses tear-free formula, whereas regular shampoos contain surfactants, which are harsh on the eyes.

3. Most baby shampoos are free from fragrances to prevent allergic reactions. Regular shampoos usually come with a unique aroma.

Is It safe to try a combo of shampoo, body wash, and conditioner?

Yes, you can try the different combo options. Not only money-saving options, but they are also easy to get and save a lot of time and stress for new parents.

You might also like the fact they are the ones with less packaging. 

In conclusion

Not every product on the market is safe for your kid. Many products may contain harmful chemicals that will worsen the condition of your baby’s skin. If you are a new parent, it is highly recommended that you go for trusted brands, as the label may only tell part of the story.

However, having gone through our reviewed products, it will be easier to decide between the various brands. You don’t want to have difficult bath times or sleepless nights because your baby has developed a reaction to an inferior shampoo or conditioner. Always go for the best, irrespective of the price.