Paediatricians recommend that babies should be washed with cotton wool and water for the first month of their life or longer but lots of parents decide they need something a little bit more effective to wash away the spills and sploshes of the day.
Here are our favourite gentle baby washes, made from natural ingredients that will cleanse and nurture delicate skin.
Honest Baby Shampoo + Body Wash, £7.99 for 295ml
The baby range from Jessica Alba’s company Honest, is fantastic and we particularly love the handy hair and body wash pumps that give a lovely thorough cleanse with super gentle ingredients that really care for delicate skin. The fragrance free version is great for anyone who only wants their baby to smell of baby but we have to say the super subtle sweet almond version is divine. Extra points for the easy-access pump dispenser that is super helpful if you’re bathing a slippery baby on your own! Suitable from birth.
Little Aurelia Sleep Time Top to Toe Wash, from £10 for 5oml
This is such a pleasure to use! The texture of the wash is almost cream like and melts away into the skin, washing off easily and leaving a soothing dreamy smell. A very gentle, coconut based wash that is perfect for little babies and toddlers. No wonder Little Aurelia have been awarded a Platinum Junior Design Award two years in a row! Suitable from birth.
Bloom & Blossom The Very Hungry Caterpillar Baby Hair & Body Wash, £5.00 for 200ml
Oh hungry caterpillar! How much fun do you add to bath time? LOTS! This extra gentle wash, created for sensitive skin and even eczema prone skin is such a jolly addition to the side of the tub and we absolutely love the jasmine and lavender fragrance that lingers in washed hair all day! Suitable from newborn, this is one of those friendly bathroom staples your kids will remember when they’re fully grown!
Little B Hair & Body Wash with Clementine, Lavender & Sweet Orange Essential Oils, from £4 for 50ml
Quack, quack! As well as the adorable illustration on the packaging we love, love, love the smell of this hair and body wash which contains clementine, lavender and sweet orange essential oils. Not too overpowering but with a soothing, distinctly natural smell, these are products that adults will want to steal. Suitable from birth.
Good Bubble Baby Hair & Body Wash with Cucumber and Aloe Vera, £4 for 250ml
We absolutely didn’t know how much we wanted our babies to smell like cucumbers until we tried this wash! Good Bubble have a reputation for coming up with the best natural fragrances and this very subtle cucumber and aloe vera combo is a huge hit at Junior. It smells so fresh and soothing, that smelling your own baby becomes a relaxing ritual in itself! Especially great for hot sticky days when you want to give your baby a gentle wash that leaves them feeling cool and calm. Suitable from birth.
Mini Bloom Fresh N’ Clean Hair & Body Wash, £24 for 500ml
Free of all nasties and with an eco mission not to be sniffed at (have a read here), LA-born Mini Bloom was created by mother, green beauty expert, and co-founder of skincare brand Goldfaden MD, Lauren Wolk-Goldfaden. New to the UK market, we’re already hooked on this botanical packed, sweet scented hair and body wash that is ideal for babies and young children – even those with sensitive skin. Leaves skin feeling cleansed, smooth and hydrated like a babies skin should be. Suitable from birth.
Childs Farm Sensitive Skin Baby Wash, £4 for 250ml
Sometimes a really effective but gentle wash with zero fragrance is just what is needed and Child’s Farm are experts in this field. Their un-fragranced baby wash is great for washing the stickiness of the day away, while being suitable for sensitive, dry and eczema prone skin. A great wash for particularly sensitive skins. Suitable form birth.
Kokoso Gentle Hair & Body Wash, £7.99-£8.99 for 200ml,Â
If you love skin friendly, yummy smelling coconut oil then this super nurturing baby wash is perfect for you. Made with 98% naturally derived ingredients and housed in eco-friendly bottles, made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials that are fully recyclable this is a product that works hard to be kind on so many levels. There is a fragrance-free version coming soon. Suitable from birth.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Mini Molecular Hair & Body Shampoo, £35 for 150ml
Dr. Barbara Sturm is known for her incredible skincare range for adults, so it was only to be expected that the same level of care and expertise would be applied to her baby collection, which was created when her daughter Pepper was born. This baby wash is fragrance free but the subtle scents of ingredients like calendula and sweet almond blossom do come through, while the gentle foaming action makes bath time a real pleasure. We have to say the packaging is superb and any items from the range would make a perfect baby shower gift. Suitable from birth.
Baby Hair & Body Wash, £12.99 for 200ml
We’ve been really impressed with this new baby bath time collection from Matchstick Monkey. Not only are the products dermatologically tested, vegan friendly and full of natural ingredients – it comes in sustainable sugarcane packaging – how great is that? Ideal for baby’s delicate skin, hair and scalp both you and baby will be left smelling of sweet apricots and chamomile. Yum. Suitable from birth
Little Butterfly London Bubbles in the Breeze top to toe wash, £19.50 for 200ml
This organic-certified top to toe wash is enriched with calming bio-actives and was created to gently cleanse with soft foaming bubbles while hydrating and soothing at the same time. A gorgeously pampering wash suitable from newborn and specifically formulated and dermatologist-approved for sensitive, eczema-prone or reactive skin.
Skin Sapiens Baby Bath Gel, £11.99 for 300ml
This fragrance free, super gentle formula is a fantastic buy for anyone looking for a wash that won’t irritate or dry out delicate skin. Containing the skin softening properties of oat oil, this is a great option for anyone particularly worried about dryness. We really love the minimal packaging which would look super chic in any bathroom setting. Suitable from birth.
Cowshed Baby Frothy Hair & Body Wash, £9 for 200ml
The grown up’s spa range has come up trumps with this gorgeous smelling, naturally derived hair & body wash, designed to care for and protect your baby’s delicate skin. A blend of Lavender and Sweet Orange essential oils is paired with nourishing Meadowfoam Oil leaving skin feeling super soft and happy. A great gift for any spa fans who want to bring junior in on the act! Suitable from birth.
Love Ocean Kid’s Bubble Bath, £8.99 for 300ml
We’re not sure what we love more. The signature whale tail bottle, the ‘beside the seaside’ scent infused with organic seaweed extract and a light seascape fragrance or the fact that these bottles are made from recycled plastic and are designed for you to use and reuse with the refill pouches sold separately. Fantastic! Suitable from 6 months.
Love Ocean and Ocado
Baby Wash & Shampoo, from £5.95 for 100ml
From one of our favourite changing bag brands Storksak offering into the baby toiletries market is one not to be missed. As this gentle body and hair wash has a delicate – and addictive – scent of English pear, chamomile and honey. With moisturising aloe vera and natural coconut foamers this wash leaves baby clean and soft. Suitable from birth.
