Best Non Toxic Baby Wash + Mainstream Brands to Avoid

Mar 9, 2022 | Non Toxic Baby

Last Updated on January 20, 2026 by NonToxicSwaps

If you thought baby products would be better regulated than products for adults, think again. The same greenwashing that goes on with products for us, is also happening with products designed for babies and kids.

The “pure” and “natural” claims on the label of a product don’t have to mean much of anything. When you read the ingredient label you’ll see the truth behind these general label terms.

Babies have delicate skin that easily absorbs more than we think and many popular brands still have harmful chemicals like “fragrance”, parabens, phthalates and more.

The good news is that there are excellent non toxic baby washes out there that clean gently, without the chemical additives.

Let’s break it down: why it matters, what to avoid, and the non toxic baby wash list.

Why Switch to Non Toxic Baby Wash?

Babies’ skin is thinner, more permeable, and less able to detoxify compared to adults. Daily exposure to harsh surfactants, synthetic fragrances, or hidden contaminants (like 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde releasers) can irritate, dry out, or contribute to sensitivities, allergies, or long-term concerns.

Non toxic options:

  • Use plant-based, mild cleansers that preserve the skin barrier

  • Skip endocrine disruptors, allergens, and carcinogen-linked byproducts

Peace of mind during those sweet tub moments is priceless.

Ingredients to Avoid in Baby Wash

Steer clear of these toxic ingredients commonly found in baby wash:

  • Synthetic fragrances / “fragrance” or “parfum” — can hide phthalates and trigger allergies

  • Sulfates (SLS, SLES) — strip natural oils, cause dryness/irritation, may contain 1,4-dioxane

  • Parabens — hormone disruptors

  • Phthalates — often in fragrances, linked to developmental issues

  • Formaldehyde releasers (e.g., quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin) — potential carcinogens

  • Artificial dyes — unnecessary risk for irritation

Mainstream Baby Wash Brands to Avoid

  • Johnson’s Baby Shampoo – contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Peg-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Peg-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, Ppg-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Benzoate, Fragrance

  • Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo – contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide (saponification not specified)

  • Shea Moisture Baby Wash – contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, Peg-150 Distearate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance (Parfum)

  • Mustela Gentle Cleansing Baby Wash – contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Peg-150 Distearate, Parfum (Fragrance), Potassium Sorbate

  • Aquaphor Baby Wash – Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Benzoate

  • Cetaphil Baby Wash – contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Peg-120 Methyl Glucose Dioleate, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-10, Sodium Hydroxide

  • Dove Baby – contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance, Tetrasodium Edta, Sodium Benzoate, Titanium Dioxide

  • Burt’s Bees Baby – contains fragrance (notes “natural” but does not disclose specifics, potassium sorbate, phenoxyethanol

Not all are “toxic bombs,” but many contain sulfates, synthetic preservatives, or fragrance blends that aren’t ideal for daily newborn use.

Top Non Toxic Baby Wash Recommendations

 

Non Toxic Baby Wash Tiered By Budget

Under $1 per oz

$1-2 per oz

$2+ per oz

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