When it came to picking the best kids body washes & soaps back in the days, the choices were quite limited. But that’s not what it looks like today. Even so, the task of buying body wash for kids still remains difficult because of so many options to choose from. Should you opt for tear-free, organic, scented, unscented, etc.? The list goes on and on.
Keeping your kid or kids fresh and clean seems like a never-ending struggle. You’re a parent, so you get that, right? Children live a very active lifestyle. And not all of them enjoy bath time. So it’s your responsibility to make sure he/she uses a kid-specific, chemical-free body wash or soap to get rid of all the dirt, oil, and germs.
So how about I provide you with a list of great kid-friendly body washes and soaps that’ll keep the playful little version of you squeaky clean?
Best Kids Body Washes and Soaps
Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Bar Soap
The first choice, to be honest, is a part of every top 10 baby body wash reviews. So there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be a part of my best kids body washes and soaps list. Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Bar Soap has double the amount of olive oil and zero added fragrance. It’s an ideal pick for babies and sensitive skin.
The ingredients included are Fair Trade-certified. The organic version of hemp oil is added to create a safe, smooth, and soft lather that doesn’t dry out the skin.
Considerable thought has been put into the packaging too. The wrapper is biodegradable and recyclable. As for the soaps manufactured by Dr. Bronner’s, they’re all vegan and gentle. The latter is what makes the soap fit for kids. And the former is what makes it healthy for use as a skincare product, no matter who’s using it.
After reading all this, it shouldn’t come as a surprise to know that zero detergents, foaming agents, and preservatives are involved. So everything in here works toward making the skin feel moisturized, hydrated, smooth, and soft. It’s surprisingly cruelty-free too!
Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo
Here’s the best tear free baby soap! The Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo contains organic calendula. What this natural ingredient does is produce a rich lather for gently foaming and cleaning delicate skin as well as hair without causing any dryness.
The formula is hypoallergenic and tear-free. It leaves a fresh, soft fragrance too. But the star of the show is still the organic calendula content. This calming ingredient is plenty gentle even on sensitive skin. So you don’t have to worry about any negative effects on the skin.
This baby body wash and shampoo comes from a brand highly recommended by pediatricians and dermatologists. And the current item washes away impurities and nourishes the skin. All this without leaving any residue and stinging the eyes!
Cetaphil Restoraderm Pro Eczema Calming Body Wash
The product title says it all. And that’s what differentiates the current Cetaphil body wash from the previous Cetaphil option and the others on the list. It’s designed for soothing irritated, itchy, and dry skin. In short, Cetaphil Restoraderm calms eczema signs and symptoms. So if your little one is 3 months or older, you can incorporate this body wash for kids into his/her daily bath time.
The creamy cleanser provides long-lasting relief from head to toe. The unique formula contains ingredients that support the natural barrier of your skin while also delivering generous amounts of hydration.
Products like these are proof that the manufacturer Cetaphil is committed to creating the most effective skincare solutions. The best part about the brand is that no animal testing is carried out.
Now let me also mention the inclusion of special ceramide technology. This particular patented characteristic helps in retaining skin moisture. So your kid’s hydration level of the skin doesn’t get compromised. In fact, it gets replenished in a very gentle and natural manner.
And the fact that the body wash is good for babies too says a lot about how it cleanses and nourishes without causing any irritation.
Puracy Natural Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
Why should you consider buying this body wash and shampoo by Puracy? I’ll get straight to the point here. The natural baby formula contains a gentle combination of essential oils and clinical-grade emollients and cleansers. Such a blend is perfect for not just washing and bathing the body but also shampooing the hair.
What you’re looking at here is a coconut-based formulation that cleans without giving rise to skin irritation. Isn’t that ideal when kids and their sensitive skin are a part of the experience?
Another unique skin-benefitting ingredient added to the gentle formula is Himlayan Pink Sea Salt. This is a natural mineral for hydrating and balancing the skin. All other ingredients are either mineral-based or plant-based. And each of them is chosen very carefully so that the hypoallergenic nature of the body wash/ shampoo doesn’t get compromised.
In that case, no sulfates, fumes, or any harsh chemicals are used. Even the fragrance is soft and refreshing. So expect zero drawbacks or any side effects.
Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo
Aveeno is a brand very popular for manufacturing the most natural skincare products through the most innovative scientific advances. Aveeno has also managed to transform and nurture both hair and skin to enhance natural beauty and health. And the Aveeno Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo is no exception.
The formula is packed with natural extracts of oat for creating rich, cleansing lather. This lather does its job without triggering any sort of dryness. The kids body wash/shampoo is allergy-tested and soap-free. It’s a tear-free, gentle formula that leaves a fresh, soft fragrance and even rinses clean.
To be honest, you should consider buying this Aveeno body wash only because of its natural oat extract content. This particular active ingredient soothes and nourishes sensitive skin very gently. And that matters when all other body washes out there are excessively drying out or damaging the delicate skin of your little one.
Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns
There’s no doubt this special formulation cleanses the scalp and hair while also contributing to reducing and preventing cradle cap. The Mustela Foam Shampoo exfoliates gently and washes away flakes caused by cradle cap. This is a very common condition that affects newborns. Meaning you can expect fewer scales and flakes after every bath.
The shampoo is good for newborns as well as babies and toddlers. It’s tear-free and comes with a pump dispenser. But what does the blend contain? It’s got two very powerful yet gentle ingredients that reduce and prevent cradle cap. The first is salicylic acid and the second one is beta-hydroxy acid.
Only natural elements are used. No harmful chemicals have been added to hinder the gentle character of the shampoo. Plant-based ingredients such as climbazole and avocado perseose are included. Avocado hydrates and protects the delicate scalp of your baby. As for climbazole, it makes sure your kid doesn’t have to deal with cradle cap again.
So go ahead and buy the Mustela Foam Shampoo for using it on a daily basis, because you simply can.
Eucerin Baby Wash & Shampoo
How about getting to know this 2-in-1 formula that you can use on both the hair and skin of your precious little muffin? The Eucerin Baby Wash & Shampoo is created for gentle cleansing, that’s for sure.
The formula is infused with pro-vitamin B5 along with natural shea butter. These two ingredients go a long way when it comes to soothing and nourishing delicate skin. Even scalp and hair benefit from the inclusion of both.
Much like most of the kids body washes on the list, this too is tear-free, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and highly recommended by dermatologists and pediatricians. Its ability to clear up skin issues like cradle cap, baby acne, and dry skin is quite impressive.
The lather the body wash + shampoo produces is also quite generous for deep, thorough cleansing. You’ll be glad to know that the product is appreciated by parents that have used it for minimizing flare-ups caused by eczema. So there’s no chance this gentle, effective formula here is not safe for sensitive skin.
Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash
Here’s another gentle, tear-free baby wash and shampoo. But what makes this one unique is that it contains no carcinogenic or toxic ingredients that are often found in kids body washes and soaps. There’s no added fragrance either since it’s usually full of harmful chemicals.
The formula is non-irritating and gently cleanses the skin while also providing enough nourishment. The body wash and shampoo work well on delicate and sensitive skin too. The product is 99.9-percent natural. So leave behind your worries regarding any skin dryness or discomfort.
Some body washes do not rinse clean easily. But, fortunately, this one does. Despite being sudsy enough for proper cleansing! Speaking of which, it absorbs very naturally on the skin. And makes the skin feel soft and comfortable. After all, the non-irritating formula is pediatrician-tested for a reason.
Burt’s Bees Baby Buttermilk Soap
Burt’s Bees next option is this buttermilk soap. This baby soap gets the skin squeaky clean while providing silky smooth nourishment along the way. The natural bar is very gentle for use on newborns and sensitive skin. It cleanses the skin from head to toe, no doubt.
The moisturizing soap is infused with buttermilk, which has excellent natural moisturizing properties. This ingredient is also responsible for producing a lather that gently softens the skin with zero leftover residues.
Needless to say, since the brand is Burt’s Bees, the soap is all-natural. This explains why so many pediatricians recommend it to parents all around the world. The formulation is hypoallergenic and without any petrolatum, parabens, phthalates, etc.
As for the scent, it’s not overpowering or irritating to the olfactory senses. Instead, the natural scent is very fresh and light. So don’t hesitate to use this tear-free buttermilk soap for washing your baby’s hair and body on a daily basis.
Suave Tear Free Berry Blue Body Wash
Did you know that Suave Kids manufactures some of the best kids body washes? They’re all mild formulas that I’m certain most children love to use on their own. Thanks to the fresh, fun, and fruity scent of the body wash that makes bath time enjoyable for them. And this Tear Free Berry Blue option is no different.
The gentle formulation is a very notable characteristic here. And why wouldn’t it be when the body wash is dermatologist-tested. It has the capacity to cleanse the most sensitive skin as well. That too without causing excessive dryness! The excessive dryness part is something that most soaps for kids do! It’s also proven to have a mild nature.
The lather the body wash produces is rich and bubbly. Plus, it rinses off quite easily. Once that happens, you can expect the skin to feel soft and smell fresh. The good thing about it all is that your kid can use the body wash every day. It’s a high-quality, paraben-free product packed in a very attractive-looking bottle.
Everyone 3-in-1 Soap for Every Kid
Do you want to know what the blend of orange and lavender essential oils does? It makes bath time for kids a very calming experience. And this is exactly what you get with the 3-in-1 soap under the current spotlight.
The cleansers packed in the 2 generously-sized, recyclable bottles are extracted from coconut oil for creating rich bubbles and foamy lather. Then there’s Vitamin E and B5 for providing the much-needed skin nourishment. Along with organic herbal ingredients like white tea, calendula, chamomile, and aloe that soothe and soften the skin.
So it goes without saying that the list of ingredients is quite impressive. And even unique in comparison to the other kids body washes I’ve reviewed so far. What’s common is the absence of any synthetic fragrance, parabens, gluten, dyes, etc. It’s even cruelty-free.
The inclusion of essential oils makes the experience of using this body wash feel like aromatherapy. But what’s the 3-in-1 part here? It’s the use of 3 different natural scents in a single formula. These are Tropical Twist, Orange Squeeze, and Lavender Lullaby. But does it feel as refreshing as it sounds? Totally!
Fresh Monster 2-in-1 Kids Shampoo & Body Wash
Just one look at the bottle and you know this product is a specifically designed body wash for kids. The Fresh Monster Body Wash & Shampoo is kid-centric, no doubt. It’s a toxin-free formula that also doesn’t contain any synthetic fragrances, sulfates, dyes, phthalates, parabens, soy, or gluten.
It’s got only botanical and natural fruit extracts. These give off a fragrance that feels refreshing and light and smells delicious. No animal testing of the product is done either.
As for effectiveness, it’s a very nourishing body wash that leaves the skin feeling soft and smooth. The formula prevents the formation of dry skin and an itchy scalp. And your little one will be able to produce as much foam as he/she likes. On top of that, the rich lather even rinses clean quite easily.
It’s a tear-free organic body wash and shampoo that doesn’t irritate sensitive skin. And helps in treating skin conditions like eczema and even severe allergies. That’s the beauty of the combination of ocean splash and coconut.
Baby Mantra 3-in-1 Bubble Bath, Shampoo and Body Wash
Are you ready to get to know all about the best vegan body wash for kids? This 3-in-1 baby shampoo by I Am Happy is a healthy and safe product. Meaning the formula is not created using any sulfates, phosphates, parabens, and harsh chemicals.
It’s a tear-free blend enriched with only vegan ingredients. Such as aloe vera extract, chamomile flower extract, and calendula. Along with orange oil, patchouli oil, and cedarwood oil. There’s a lot more!
The natural scent is quite lovely but not overpowering in any way. The shampoo leaves the hair feeling super-soft. As for its effectiveness on the skin, the body wash treats occasional eczema-caused flare-ups and rashes. Plus, the consistency is ideal for producing rich, creamy lather.
If you ask me, it’s the perfect solution for those who struggle to find high-quality and effective vegan skincare products.
Weleda Calendula Soap
Here’s a moisture-balancing soap bar perfect for the sensitive skin of babies. It’s a lightly fragrant formula infused with organic ingredients like chamomile flower extract, calendula flower extract, and biodynamic iris root extract. Let me tell you what each one does below.
The chamomile and calendula soothe the skin and make it feel supple and soft. As for the biodynamic ingredient, it balances the moisture level of the skin. When the skin’s moisture levels are balanced by the body wash, no excessive dryness is caused.
And guess what? You don’t have to be a kid to use it. The soap is very refreshing and soothing for adults too. And you can use the soap twice daily and still expect it to last for a very long time.
Johnson’s Baby Soap Bar
The brand name Johnson’s Baby is synonymous with every baby-specific skincare product. So it’s no surprise that they have a soap bar gentle for the skin of your little one. The soap has exceptional hypoallergenic properties. No amount of potential allergens is included, which is perfect for sensitive skin.
How does the brand ensure the quality and safety of its products? Johnson’s Baby sources raw materials, thoroughly assess the ingredients, and then clinically evaluates and tests the final outcome. And these procedures are a part of manufacturing this soap bar as well.
The formulation is infused with gentle moisturizers for protecting the skin against dryness. It leaves the surface feeling incredibly smooth and soft. Even the fragrance is delicate to prevent nasal irritation or trigger any skin allergies.
All you have to do is lather the soap, then gently massage this creamy lather over the entire body, and finally rinse. Each process is quite an effortless task. And that’s the best part about using any Johnson Baby’s product.
Suave Kids Body Wash Free & Gentle
I’ve already reviewed a Suave body wash earlier. So allow me to present the second kids body wash option by the same brand. The one before this, Berry Blue, and the current pick have a lot in common. For starters, both formulas are specifically created for kids. And both are gentle for sensitive skin.
The scent of the Free & Gentle body wash here is fun and refreshing. So your kids are bound to love bath time. There aren’t any dyes or chemicals to aggravate sensitive or delicate skin. And the body wash is recommended by many dermatologists around the world.
The rich, creamy lather it produces is something your little one is certainly going to enjoy in the shower. And if you’re worried about the lather not rinsing clean easily, leave those concerns behind. After cleansing, the skin feels baby soft and smells fresh and clean.
The mild formula is also tear-free. Not many hypoallergenic body washes have the capacity to bubble well and, more importantly, treat skin rashes and flare-ups caused by eczema. In my opinion, you have every reason to place your trust in this gentle body wash. So if you decide to skip it, you’ll be making a huge mistake.
Baby Dove Wash Rich Moisture
Just like Johnson’s Baby is synonymous with baby-centric skincare, Dove is synonymous with gentle skincare.
This moisture-rich baby wash by Dove is a very special formula. In the sense that it understands the delicate skin of kids. Dove knows that baby skin is 30-percent thinner in comparison to the skin of adults. Meaning it’s more likely to dry out. On top of that, the skin barrier of babies is also weaker, thus making it more susceptible to losing moisture.
So for protection against all of this, the body wash under the radar right now is formulated to balance out the skin’s moisture levels. It goes just beyond moderate cleansing. The formula replenishes the essential moisture as well as nutrients during bath time. And this makes the skin feel soft, clean, moisturized, and mildly scented too.
Needless to say, the body wash is tear-free, hypoallergenic, and recommended by pediatricians. The lather, undoubtedly, is creamy and rich with lots of bubbles for moisturizing thoroughly. So you have to give this one a try before you decide to turn it down.
California Baby Tea Tree and Lavender Shampoo & Body Wash
The last on the list is quite an exceptional pick. It’s got a blend of tea tree and lavender. But before I get into that, let me tell you that the body wash + shampoo is vegan. Meaning only natural-derived cleansing substances are used. Like organic soapbark and wild-harvested yucca.
As for the organic content of lavender and tea tree essential oils, they add a refreshingly sweet, citrusy, and floral scent. But it’s the concentrated formulation that makes the most impact. It’s the perfect naturally-derived blend for soothing eczema, sensitive skin, and allergy concerns. Thanks to the inclusion of plant-based glucosides and organic soapbark.
The addition of aloe vera and calendula is another positive characteristic. Both ingredients are Certified Organic. They moisturize and soothe the skin like no other.
In the end, the additional factors stay the same. Like zero harsh chemicals, parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, and the like. Plus, the body wash is cruelty-free too. So don’t think, even for a second, that the last product is any less competitive as the very first pick.
Understanding Common Skin Conditions during Childhood
As you already know, your skin acts as a physical barrier for protecting your organs. It’s a huge part of your natural immune response. So it’s very important to use skincare products that do good instead of harm.
There are a few skin problems during childhood that you simply cannot avoid because kids are messy and carefree. However, you can make sure their skin is well looked after by choosing one of the best body washes and soaps for kids.
Some of these skin conditions are quite common and both treatable and preventable. But there are a few that demand professional medical assistance.
You can take your kid to the pharmacy to get an OTC product for treating his/her skin rash. However, the problem with this is that only a few pharmacists understand dermatologic symptoms. In that case, it’s better if you have a basic idea of the most common skin problems that affect kids.
Prevention Comes First
No matter the pediatric skin condition, prevention in the form of kid-friendly body washes and soaps along with sunscreen are a must. Not just children, it’s necessary for even adults to protect their skin against the harmful rays of the sun.
Sun exposure stimulates the production of Vitamin D. But too much sun exposure causes sunburn. Excessive ultraviolet radiation exposure also contributes to the development of infectious diseases and skin cancer.
Now it goes without saying that the geographic location, underlying medical problems, and genetics also influence the extent of sunburns. But whatever or however the condition, sun protection from the very beginning of your child’s life is necessary. And this should continue throughout his or her adulthood too.
The statistics state that around 83-percent of American kids develop sunburns during summer. With around 13-percent dealing with the condition every summer weekend! The treatment includes using light, gentle body washes, soaps, and moisturizers.
The kids body washes and soaps I’ve reviewed in the article keep the skin hydrated. They’re not like heavy skincare products that irritate or aggravate the skin. Apart from this, you can incorporate oatmeal baths, cold compresses, and ice packs for relieving the discomfort and itching caused by sunburn.
As for medication, it’s best to talk to your pediatrician regarding that.
Beyond Sunburn
When you wish to identify the particular skin condition, answer the following questions.
- When did the problem start and how?
- How long has the condition lasted?
- Have there been any changes over time?
- What are the symptoms like? Fever, pain, itching, etc.
- Have any home remedies helped?
Bacterial Infection
The most common type of minor bacterial infection among children is impetigo. Kids between the age groups of 2 years and 5 years develop bullous impetigo. The treatment includes applying the prescription topical cream mupirocin and systemic antibiotics.
Eczema
You can suspect eczema if you spot plaques and papules that give rise to intense itching. Eczema in kids and adults comes in many forms. The most common types of eczema are stasis dermatitis, atopic dermatitis, contact dermatitis, photo contact dermatitis, and seborrheic dermatitis.
You can treat this common skin condition by using the best body wash for eczema. You’ll find it in my reviews section. Also, feel free to pay a visit to the dermatologist or pediatrician for proper diagnosis and treatment if the problem is getting out of hand.
Acne
Acne vulgaris is something that affects almost every child between the ages of 8 years and 9 years. Internal factors have an impact on the immunologic response, which, when weak, aggravates acne. As for extrinsic factors, these include cosmetics, chemicals, sunlight, and friction.
The treatment involves topical retinoids in the form of solutions, gels, and creams. Then there’s topical benzoyl peroxide as well that treats inflammatory acne. Even oral antibiotics and oral isotretinoin are effective at fighting severe acne. Just make sure you talk to your dermatologist first before administering any oral medication to your precious little one.
Choosing the Best kids Body Washes and Soaps
The following factors should make the selection process much easier and better to understand
Gentle Formula
Whether you’re picking a body soap or body wash, just make sure the formulation is gentle. It should also be non-toxic and completely free of harmful chemicals that might damage the skin.
The thing about harsh soaps and washes is that they’re very likely to irritate the sensitive skin of babies and toddlers. And this often causes rashes. So it’s best to go for mild or baby-specific soaps/washes.
Extra-Lather
Cleaning your own adult skin and cleaning that of a kid’s are not the same thing. Even you as a grownup should keep away from body washes and soaps that claim to produce extra lather. And that’s because the lather is almost always a result of the inclusion of extra chemicals.
Fragrance
There are so many fragrance-free kid-friendly soaps and washes I’ve reviewed in this post of mine. And why is that? It’s because not all children like the smell of the soap they’re using.
But this seems like a secondary reason when the primary one is that body washes and soaps that smell great are packed with harsh chemicals not good for sensitive skin.
Hypoallergenic
Is your child dealing with symptoms of eczema or even dry skin? If yes, then you have every excuse in the book to buy hypoallergenic body washes and soaps. And lucky for you, I’ve shortlisted quite a few of them.
List of Ingredients
Don’t ever neglect to analyze the ingredients if you want your kid to use a non-toxic, hypoallergenic skincare product.
Ingredients like propylene, alcohol, glycol, and the like should be avoided at all costs. Instead, pick washes and soaps made of natural ingredients perfect for sensitive skin. These include olive oil, honey, milk, cocoa butter, and almond.
Quick, Useful Tips for Bathing Your Baby
You might want to refer to these tips when dealing with a newborn.
- There’s no need for bathing a newborn daily. You can even skip the soap.
- Sponge baths are also very helpful at such times.
- For thorough cleaning, scrub between baby creases, between tiny toes, under chin, and diaper area. But do it gently using one of the body washes or soaps mentioned in the article.
- After washing, cover him/her up with a soft, hypoallergenic baby towel for drying up the little body.
Final Words
So now you understand how to differentiate between a safe and harsh body wash or soap. You can rest assured knowing that I have only shortlisted and reviewed kids body wash products with zero potential hazards. These are no-tear, fragrance-free formulas that are also very mild and moisturizing. Meaning they don’t irritate the skin or eyes.
Some brands have used botanical ingredients and essential oils for creating natural fragrances that don’t mess with sensitive skin. These natural substances also benefit the skin in ways unimaginable. So it’s time to pick your favorite.
