Bath time with your baby can be one of the most precious times as a parent. The warm water is a soothing end to the day, and it’s sweet to see your little one enjoy their time in the tub. Because of this, it’s only natural to want all parts of the experience to be as pleasant as possible. One way to do that is to make sure you’re using a shampoo specifically made for babies — in fact, if you don’t use one for babies, you may be at risk of irritating your child’s skin, according to experts I spoke with.
“Babies have a different skin pH balance than adults,” says Dr. Timothy Tran, board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Houston. “Adult shampoos aren’t formulated for this difference and using them on a baby can cause irritation and dryness.” On the other hand, baby shampoos are specifically made for more sensitive skin. To help you find the best option for your little one, we asked dermatologist what to keep in mind when shopping — plus, we got a few of their top recommendations.
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How we picked the best baby shampoos
With so many baby shampoos on the market, it can be hard to know which ones are worth your money. So, we asked two dermatologists what to look for. Here are the top factors they suggested I pay attention to when curating this list of helpful options:
- No harsh chemicals: “The simpler the ingredient list, the better,” says Dr. Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Dermatology Circle in New York City. “Look for options that are free from harsh chemicals like sulfates and don’t use synthetic colors, which can also irritate sensitive skin.”
- Hypoallergenic: According to Tran, shampoos that are labeled as being hypoallergenic are free of common allergens that can impact baby skin and will minimize the risk of a rash or adverse reaction.
The best baby shampoos of 2026
To help you find a baby shampoo for your family, we asked experts to recommend their favorites. We also added a few NBC Select editor suggestions, as well as some highly-rated picks.
“To help keep baby skin from drying out, look for baby shampoos and washes with moisturizing ingredients,” says Tran, who likes the options from Dove. The top two ingredients in this formula are water and glycerin, also known to hydrate. It’s also tear-free and hypoallergenic and free of sulfates and parabens. Also nice: The bottle is a whopping 34 ounces, which will last a while if you use it on one baby.
Tran likes this baby shampoo because it’s free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances and dyes — all of which have the potential to irritate young skin. You can use the gel formula as a body wash and shampoo, plus the pump bottle is easy to use while wrangling a little one in the water, according to the brand. One thing to note: This shampoo is scented, though natural ingredients are used to do so, according to Honest.
Another recommendation from Tran, Aveeno makes one of our favorite body washes for sensitive skin, and their baby shampoo is even more gentle. The hypoallergenic formula is tear-free and incorporates oat extract, which can help keep baby skin from getting dry, according to the brand.
Kazlouskaya says this option from Babo Botanicals fits all the criteria of a good baby shampoo — including that it’s hypoallergenic and free of harsh chemicals. The unscented gel wash has 23 plant ingredients, including shea butter, to keep hair and skin soft, according to the brand.
This formula, a favorite of Kazlouskaya, has three ceramides (a key hydrator) as well as hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to moisturize and protect sensitive baby skin. It’s also fragrance-free, hypoallergenic and easy to wash away, according to the brand. Like some other options on this list, you can use it as a shampoo and a body wash.
This was my go-to baby shampoo when my daughter was born. It has a powdery scent that I love and the formula is good for sensitive skin because it’s hypoallergenic and free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates and dyes, according to the brand. I also found it left my daughter’s skin super soft and hydrated after using it.
My baby boy has more sensitive skin than his older sister, so I use this fragrance-free shampoo on him. It has a fruit blend extract to soothe skin, plus coconut to hydrate it, according to the brand. The formula is vegan and cruelty-free, too. I also really appreciate that the sleek packaging doesn’t junk up my bathroom.
Can you use regular shampoo on a baby?
It’s best to avoid using adult shampoo on babies. Here’s why: “Babies have much more sensitive skin. Because of this, they’re more likely to get rashes or irritation from overly harsh ingredients — like strong fragrances, dyes and alcohol, says Tran.
The main reason for this is that babies have a higher alkaline pH when they’re first born, which means they’re not great at protecting their skin barrier, according to Kazlouskaya. That’s why using products that won’t irritate or cause redness is so key.
Another reason it’s good to stick with baby shampoo is they’re often formulated to meet specific needs in kids that age. “For example, there are hydrating formulas or even ones that are made for eczema-prone skin,” says Tran. Choosing one that addresses your baby’s skin needs is a great way to keep their skin as soft and supple as possible.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts with specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Timothy Tran is a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Houston.
- Dr. Viktoryia Kazlouskaya is a board-certified dermatologist and owner of Dermatology Circle in New York City.
Why trust NBC Select?
Bethany Heitman is a contributor at NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. She has a toddler and an infant and has tried over a dozen baby shampoos. For this story, she interviewed dermatologists on what to look for in a baby shampoo and how they differ from adult shampoos.
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