Why You Should Always Use Fragrance-Free Baby Shampoo

Bathing your little one can be a fun, tender moment for any new parent. But it’s important to remember that your baby’s skin is still incredibly soft and delicate during the first few years of their life, so it’s essential to use gentle, baby-safe products to avoid skin irritation and minimise the possibility of any allergic reactions.

In this quick guide, we’re going to go over everything you need to know about picking a baby shampoo: what ingredients to avoid, how to safely wash your baby’s hair, and why you should always use fragrance-free baby shampoo for your little one. Let’s take a look!

Ingredients to avoid when looking for a baby shampoo

We all know how delicate your baby’s skin is, especially around the scalp area. When it comes to picking a baby shampoo, we’d recommend avoiding the following ingredients:

• Parabens. While research is slightly limited on the impact of parabens and sulfates on human skin, there is enough evidence to suggest that these chemicals can be toxic and inflammatory both for adults and babies. To minimise the possibility of allergic flare-ups and irritations, steer clear of any shampoos containing parabens. You can identify a paraben in an ingredient list easily, as it’ll include the word “paraben” at the end of the word. Common parabens include methylparaben, propylparaben, and ethylparaben.
• Sulfates. Sulfates can be irritating to both your baby’s skin and their eyes, so make sure your baby shampoo is sulfate-free. Sulfates are usually marked clearly in the ingredients list of any product, so it shouldn’t be difficult to identify an unsuitable product.
• Alcohol. While a common ingredient in many bathing products, alcohol tends to dry out the skin, so avoid it entirely when shopping around for a baby shampoo.Look out for the phrase ‘denatured alcohol’ or ‘denatured ethanol.’

How to pick a safe baby shampoo

So, what considerations should you take into account while choosing a baby-friendly shampoo for your little one? Here are a couple of points to consider:

Fragrance-free

One of the most important requirements for a baby-safe shampoo is for it to be fragrance-free. Synthetic fragrances can irritate your baby’s delicate skin, and can even provoke both sensitivity reactions and allergic reactions. There’s also no way to know what ‘fragrance’ means on an ingredient list, so it’s best to avoid any fragranced shampoos altogether.

No tears shampoo

Always look for a tear-free baby shampoo where possible. Tear-free shampoos are manufactured with smaller amounts of gentler surfactants, which makes them baby-bath friendly. If a tear-free shampoo happens to get in your baby’s eyes, it’s less likely to cause irritation and discomfort.  

Natural ingredients

Plant-based, natural ingredients are always going to be the best option for your baby’s bath time routine. With less potential for irritation, and a reduced chance of triggering an allergic reaction, it’s a good idea to look for a baby shampoo with 100% natural ingredients. Many cosmetic companies already offer natural alternatives for baby bathing, such as Frezyderm baby bath products, so all you need to do is shop around for one that suits your needs. 

How to safely wash your baby’s hair

Once you’ve decided on a baby-safe shampoo, it’s now time to wash your little one’s hair! This can be a daunting task for any new parent, but know that with some caution and TLC, you’ll perform your baby’s first shampooing like a pro. 

Here are our tips on washing your baby’s hair safely and gently, for minimal tears:

• Always test the temperature of any water you’re using, using a digital thermometer (or your elbow!)
• Use a very small amount of shampoo - your baby’s hair is very delicate and thin, so you don’t need lots of product.
• Try your best to keep the shampoo out of their eyes. Make sure to support your baby’s neck as you do so.
• Lather the shampoo gently. Don’t scrub or rub the hair vigorously - keep the pressure as delicate as possible. 
• Rinse the shampoo with a small cup of water, making sure the temperature is safe. Never use your shower head to rinse, even on a gentle setting - the pressure is way too intense for your baby’s delicate skin.

How often should I wash my baby’s hair?

Generally, you should wash your baby’s hair around 1-2 times a week, using a baby-safe shampoo. However, if your baby ends up dirty after eating or playing on a non-bath day, you can still wash their hair using the same gentle shampoo to keep them comfortable and clean.