Bath time with your baby can be one of the most precious times as a parent. The warm water provides a soothing feeling at the end of the day, and it's so sweet to see your kids enjoying their time in the tub. Because of this, it's natural to want all parts of the experience to be as enjoyable and possible as possible. One way to do this is to make sure you're using a shampoo specifically designed for babies - in fact, if you don't, it could be a big mistake.
"Babies' skin has a different pH balance than adults," says Dr. Timothy Tran, a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Houston. "Adult shampoos are not formulated with this difference in mind, and using them on babies can cause irritation and dryness." Baby shampoos, on the other hand, are specifically designed for sensitive skin. To help you find the best option for your child, we asked dermatologists what to look for when shopping—plus, we got some of their top tips.
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You know you need a shampoo specifically designed for babies, but with so many on the market, it's hard to know which ones are worth your money. So we asked two dermatologists what to look for when you're shopping. Here are the top factors they recommend you focus on:
To help you find the right baby shampoo for your family, we asked the experts to recommend their favorite products. We've also added some NBC Select editorial recommendations, as well as some top-rated picks.
"To prevent baby's skin from drying out, look for baby shampoo and body wash that contains moisturizing ingredients," says Tran, who likes Dove products. The two most important ingredients in this formula are water and glycerin, which also have moisturizing properties. It’s also tear-free, hypoallergenic, sulfate-free and paraben-free. Not bad: The bottle weighs 34 ounces, which should last a while if you're giving it to a baby.
Tran loves this baby shampoo because it's free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and dyes—all of which can potentially irritate young skin. According to the brand, the gel formula can be used as both body wash and shampoo, and the pump bottle is easy to use by simply placing a small bottle in water. One thing to note: According to Honest, this shampoo does have a scent, but it uses natural ingredients for its scent.
Another recommendation from Tran, Aveeno is one of our favorite body washes for sensitive skin and their baby shampoo is gentler. The brand says the hypoallergenic formula is tear-free and contains oat extract to help prevent drying of baby's skin.
Kazlouskaya says the product from Babo Botanicals meets all the criteria for a good baby shampoo, including being hypoallergenic and free of harsh chemicals. According to the brand, this fragrance-free wash contains 23 botanicals, including calendula and shea butter, to hydrate the skin.
Kazlouskaya's favorite formula contains three different ceramides along with hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to moisturize and protect sensitive baby skin. Not only that, but according to the brand, it's fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, and washes off easily. This option can also be used as a shampoo and body wash.
It's best to avoid using adult shampoos on babies. Here's why: "Baby's skin is more sensitive," says Tran. "Because of this, they are more likely to develop rashes or irritation from ingredients that are too harsh."
The main reason, says Kazlouskaya, is that babies have an alkaline pH when they're born, which means it doesn't protect the skin barrier well. That's why it's so important to use products that won't irritate or cause redness.
Another reason to stick with baby shampoo is that they are often formulated to meet the specific needs of children of this age. “For example, there are hydrating formulas and even formulas for eczema-prone skin,” says Tran. Choosing a product that meets the needs of your baby's skin is a great way to keep your baby's skin as soft as possible.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have expertise and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also ensure that all expert opinions and advice are provided independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bethany Heitman is a contributor to NBC Select and a journalist who regularly covers beauty, home and lifestyle. For this story, she interviewed dermatologists about the characteristics of baby shampoo.
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