Newborn skin loses moisture twice as fast as adult skin and a wash with the wrong pH or surfactant strips the protective barrier. Pick well and bath time leaves baby comfortable; pick poorly and you’re on a 4-week eczema flare-up. Picks below available on Amazon AU and Amazon US.
In this guide
Our top picks at a glance
| Pick | Best for | Rating | Price | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Wash & ShampooBest Overall | Most babies | ★ 4.8 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Cetaphil Baby Wash & ShampooBest for Eczema | Eczema-prone skin | ★ 4.8 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Mustela Gentle Cleansing GelBest Premium | Premium pick | ★ 4.7 | $$ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo & WashBest Natural | Natural-formula buyers | ★ 4.7 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Johnson’s CottonTouch Wash & ShampooBest Budget | Tighter budgets | ★ 4.5 | $ | Amazon AU Amazon US |
Ingredient screen
- pH 5.5–7 (close to baby skin pH).
- No SLS / SLES (sulfates strip the skin barrier).
- No fragrance — the #1 paediatric eczema trigger.
- No parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde-releasers.
- Single-bottle wash + shampoo combo works fine for under-12s.
The picks — reviewed in detail
Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Wash & Shampoo
Colloidal oat formula, fragrance-free, paediatrician-recommended in both markets. Tear-free. Half the Mustela price for arguably better skin outcomes.
Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo
Glycerin and panthenol moisturisers, no SLS, dermatologist-recommended for eczema. Works as wash, shampoo and even shaving cream for partners with sensitive skin.
Mustela Gentle Cleansing Gel
French paediatric brand with avocado-perseose formulation. Gentle enough for newborn cradle cap, premium fragrance (light, calming) that some parents value.
Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash
99% natural formulation, plant-based surfactants, light coconut-pineapple scent (some prefer this; some prefer fragrance-free). NCC-certified natural.
Johnson’s CottonTouch Wash & Shampoo
Reformulated Johnson’s — sulfate-free, no parabens, paediatrician-tested. Cheap, accessible everywhere, and the post-2018 reformulation addressed earlier concerns.
What we’d skip
- Adult shampoos. Too harsh; pH wrong.
- Bubble baths. Strip skin barrier and cause UTIs.
- Anything labelled “fragrance” without the source disclosed. Top eczema trigger.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I wash my baby’s hair?
1–2 times a week for newborns and infants. Daily washing strips the natural oils and dries out the scalp, which can trigger cradle cap. Wipe with a damp cloth between washes if needed.
Are tear-free baby shampoos really tear-free?
Mostly yes — the major brands (Aveeno Baby, Cetaphil Baby, Mustela) avoid the surfactants that sting eyes. Cheaper or older formulations may still sting. Always rinse with eyes closed and a damp washcloth ready.
Can I use adult shampoo on a baby?
No. Adult shampoos have wrong pH for baby skin (too acidic) and contain SLS surfactants that strip the skin barrier. Use a paediatrician-recommended baby wash until at least age 5.
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