If your 4-year-old has any skin sensitivity at all, CeraVe Baby is the answer. It's the rare product that dermatologists, pediatricians, and real parents all agree on, and the National Eczema Association seal is hard to argue with.
What holds up
Accepted by the National Eczema Association for eczema-prone skin
Free of fragrance, parabens, dyes, phthalates, and sulfates
Tear-free and hypoallergenic formula
Affordable price point widely available at drugstores and Target
What to know
No scent, which some kids and parents find less fun at bath time
Thinner consistency than some competing washes
Smaller bottle size compared to budget alternatives
Expert verdict
It has been accepted by the National Eczema Association as suitable for eczema-prone babies', toddlers', and children's skin. As an added bonus, the price isn't shabby, either!
Slathering him in CeraVe (the cream that comes in the tub not the pump bottle) and Aquaphor on bad spots 3x a day when he was younger also helped a lot.
Weleda is the pick for parents who want genuinely clean ingredients without sacrificing performance. The NATRUE and UEBT certifications mean the natural claims are actually verified, not just marketing.
Key ingredients include calendula, sweet almond oil, sesame seed oil, and chamomile
Paraben-free with no chemical fragrances
Creamy texture that parents and kids love; great reviews from parents of sensitive-skin babies
What to know
Smaller bottle than many competitors, runs out faster
Contains some fragrance from natural essential oils (not fully fragrance-free)
Pricier per ounce than drugstore alternatives
Expert verdict
Every parent we talked with loved the creamy texture of this wash, as well as the light fresh scent. Parents of babies with sensitive skin had positive results as well.
This gentle and moisturizing shampoo and body wash combo has a creamy texture and features calendula extract as the main ingredient. The company is committed to clean, ethically sourced ingredients.
Aveeno Baby is the workhorse pick, it's everywhere, it's affordable, and the colloidal oat formula genuinely soothes sensitive skin. Just note that a small number of kids react to it, so patch test first.
What holds up
Natural oat extract is paraben-free with proven anti-inflammatory properties
Unscented and tear-free formula
Designed to hydrate skin for 24 hours
Rave reviews from dermatologists and pediatricians; top-rated for lather in GH Beauty Lab testing
What to know
Some children (and parents on community forums) report it worsened eczema, individual reactions vary
May leave a slight residue on skin
Scent, while light, is not fully fragrance-free
Expert verdict
The key ingredient in this wash is the natural oat extract, which is paraben-free and possesses anti-inflammatory properties. Aveeno's wash is unscented, tear-free, and designed to hydrate skin for 24 hours.
Tubby Todd has earned its devoted following for good reason, it's one of the cleanest ingredient lists you'll find in a kids' wash, and parents who've tried everything often land here. The price is higher, but a little goes a long way.
What holds up
Free of toxins, gluten, soy, dairy, parabens, sulfates, artificial fragrance, color, and BPA
Pediatrician and dermatologist tested and approved
Rich lather from a small amount, one squeeze cleans head to toe
Made in the USA with certified cruelty-free, vegan formula
What to know
More expensive than drugstore alternatives ($17 for 8.4 oz)
Natural lavender/rosemary fragrance blend may not suit all sensitive skin
Smaller bottle size requires more frequent repurchasing
Expert verdict
Baby skin is sensitive skin, so choosing the right hair and body wash is important. Here's an extra-gentle and safe one packed with natural extracts and plant-based ingredients with a lovely lavender/rosemary natural fragrance blend. One small squeeze is all you need to create a rich lather that cleans top to toe.
Best 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash: Tubby Todd Hair & Body Wash, Fragrance Free, safe for even the most sensitive skin of all ages, formulated with natural and organic ingredients.
Childs Farm punches well above its price point. It's the pick for parents who want a clean, gentle formula without spending a lot, and the brand's bubble bath version is the top-rated baby bubble bath in independent testing.
What holds up
Free from harsh sulfates, kind to delicate and sensitive skin
Aloe vera and cucumber extract provide soothing hydration
Very affordable (around $3-$5) with good value per wash
Scored 86/100 in Good Housekeeping parent panel testing; brand's bubble bath ranked #1 in separate GH bubble bath test
What to know
Mild scent that some parents find underwhelming
Smaller bottle than some budget competitors
Less widely available in the US compared to drugstore brands
Expert verdict
Aloe vera and cucumber extract are the two soothing and hydrating hero ingredients in this shampoo and body wash. It's also free from any harsh sulphates, making it kind to delicate skin. It doesn't have an overpowering scent either, which our testers liked.
Good Housekeeping UK (parent panel)View sourceExpert verdict
For a bath bursting with bubbles, we recommend Childs Farm. Parents told us their little ones' skin felt moisturised and soft after use, corroborating its claim of 12-hour hydration.
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