Bathtime feels simple — until you start reading the ingredients on your baby’s shampoo. Many popular brands contain fragrance cocktails, preservatives, and surfactants that score in EWG Skin Deep’s moderate-to-high hazard range. EWG’s Skin Deep® database rates personal care products on a 1–10 ingredient hazard scale (1 = lowest concern, 10 = highest), giving parents an evidence-based shortcut through the noise. This guide highlights the baby shampoos that score best on EWG Skin Deep — including those that carry the more rigorous EWG VERIFIED® mark.
Want to understand the difference between an EWG Skin Deep score and the EWG VERIFIED® mark? See our full explainer: EWG VERIFIED® vs. Conventional: What the Score Means
Why EWG Skin Deep Ratings Matter for Baby Shampoo
Babies’ skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin, and what goes on it gets absorbed at higher rates relative to body weight. Conventional baby shampoos often include:
- Synthetic fragrance (“fragrance” or “parfum” on the label) — a single fragrance ingredient can contain dozens of undisclosed chemicals, some of which EWG flags as potential allergens or endocrine disruptors
- Cocamide DEA — a lathering agent that EWG rates as a moderate hazard due to potential carcinogen contamination
- Quaternium-15 — a preservative that releases formaldehyde, rated by EWG as a moderate-to-high hazard
- Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben) — preservatives flagged by EWG for potential hormonal activity
EWG’s Skin Deep database scores products on the cumulative hazard profile of all their ingredients, factoring in cancer risk, developmental toxicity, endocrine disruption potential, and other categories. A score of 1–2 indicates low hazard; 3–6 indicates moderate concern; 7–10 indicates high hazard. Products that carry the EWG VERIFIED® mark also meet EWG’s ingredient disclosure and UVA protection criteria and have been manufacturer-verified.
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Our Top Picks: Best Non-Toxic Baby Shampoos Rated by EWG
1. Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash, Fragrance Free
Pipette was purpose-built around clean, baby-specific formulations — and it shows. The Fragrance Free Baby Shampoo & Wash carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark, meaning it meets EWG’s strictest criteria for ingredient transparency and hazard profile. It’s a 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash, free of parabens, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and phthalates. The formula is dermatologist-tested and powered by sugarcane-derived squalane to maintain the skin’s moisture barrier.
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED®
Key Free-Froms: Fragrance-free, paraben-free, sulfate-free
Best For: Newborns through toddlers, fragrance-sensitive babies
Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash Fragrance Free — Buy on Amazon ↗
2. Pipette Baby Shampoo + Wash, Vanilla + Ylang Ylang
For parents who prefer a light natural scent, Pipette’s Vanilla + Ylang Ylang variant also carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark. It uses the same clean base formula as the fragrance-free version, with the scent derived from naturally sourced ingredients that meet EWG’s full-disclosure requirements.
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED®
Key Free-Froms: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free
Best For: Families who prefer light, natural scent
Pipette Baby Shampoo + Wash Vanilla + Ylang Ylang — Buy on Amazon ↗
3. Adorable Baby Natural Baby Shampoo + Body Wash
This 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash from Adorable Baby carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark and uses plant-derived cleansers in a hypoallergenic, tear-free formula. It’s free of the ingredients on EWG’s unacceptable list — including parabens, synthetic fragrances, sulfates, and dyes. A good option for families wanting a VERIFIED pick at an accessible price point.
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED®
Key Free-Froms: Fragrance-free, dye-free, paraben-free
Best For: Budget-conscious parents, sensitive skin
Adorable Baby Natural Baby Shampoo + Body Wash — Buy on Amazon ↗
4. Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash, Fragrance Free & Tear Free
Burt’s Bees has a solid track record on EWG Skin Deep, and the Fragrance Free & Tear Free formula is their cleanest option, rated in the LOW HAZARD range on EWG Skin Deep. It’s a widely available, affordable pick that avoids synthetic fragrance, phthalates, and parabens. Note: not all Burt’s Bees baby formulas score equally — the Calming and Original formulas contain fragrance ingredients that push them into MODERATE HAZARD territory on EWG Skin Deep.
EWG Status: LOW HAZARD on EWG Skin Deep. Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Key Free-Froms: Fragrance-free, phthalate-free, paraben-free
Best For: Budget pick, widely available in drugstores
Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash Fragrance Free Tear Free — Buy on Amazon ↗
5. Earth Mama Baby Wash & Shampoo
Earth Mama is a brand frequently recommended by EWG-focused parents for its commitment to certified organic ingredients and minimal ingredient lists. Their Baby Wash & Shampoo is designed to be gentle enough for newborns and is free of synthetic fragrances, parabens, and harsh surfactants.
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Key Free-Froms: Synthetic fragrance-free, paraben-free, USDA organic certified
Best For: Organic-priority families, newborns
Earth Mama Baby Wash & Shampoo — Buy on Amazon ↗
6. California Baby Shampoo & Body Wash, Super Sensitive
California Baby is a well-established name in the clean baby care space. Their Super Sensitive formula is fragrance-free and uses plant-derived cleansers. EWG has rated multiple California Baby products — the Super Sensitive line in particular has been a consistent performer in the lower hazard range.
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Key Free-Froms: Fragrance-free, paraben-free, dye-free
Best For: Babies with eczema-prone or sensitive skin
California Baby Shampoo & Body Wash Super Sensitive — Buy on Amazon ↗
7. EveryLife 2-in-1 Shampoo & Baby Wash, Unscented
EveryLife is listed in the EWG Skin Deep database and its unscented 2-in-1 formula is free of synthetic fragrances and common irritants. A practical everyday-use shampoo and body wash at an accessible price.
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Key Free-Froms: Fragrance-free, dye-free
Best For: Daily use, practical families, unscented preference
EveryLife 2-in-1 Shampoo & Baby Wash Unscented — Buy on Amazon ↗
8. Mustela Gentle Baby Shampoo
Mustela is a dermatologist-recommended brand whose gentle baby shampoo uses a tear-free formula with natural ingredients including avocado perseose. Mustela’s Stelatopia line has received positive recognition from EWG, and the brand’s Gentle Shampoo is among its cleaner offerings.
EWG Status: Check EWG Skin Deep for current rating.
Key Free-Froms: Paraben-free, phthalate-free
Best For: Pediatrician-recommended brand preference, eczema-prone skin
Mustela Gentle Baby Shampoo — Buy on Amazon ↗
What EWG Skin Deep Looks for in Baby Shampoo
EWG’s scoring system evaluates every ingredient in a product against its database of nearly 60 toxicity, regulatory, and study databases. For baby shampoos, the ingredients EWG flags most commonly are:
| Ingredient | EWG Concern | Often Found In |
|---|---|---|
| Synthetic fragrance / parfum | Undisclosed chemicals, allergens, endocrine concern | Most conventional baby shampoos |
| Cocamide DEA | Potential carcinogen contamination | Budget foam-heavy formulas |
| Parabens (methyl-, propyl-, butyl-) | Potential hormonal activity | Preservative systems in many brands |
| Quaternium-15 | Formaldehyde releaser | Some “tear-free” formulas |
| PEG compounds | Potential contamination, penetration enhancement | Moisturizing formulas |
| DMDM hydantoin | Formaldehyde releaser | Less common, older formulas |
Products that score 1–2 on EWG Skin Deep avoid most or all of these ingredients and substitute lower-hazard alternatives.
How to Read EWG Skin Deep Scores
Score 1–2 (Green — Low Hazard): The product’s ingredient profile shows low evidence of hazard across EWG’s evaluated categories. These are the products EWG considers the best options for families.
Score 3–6 (Yellow — Moderate Concern): Some ingredients have moderate evidence of concern in one or more categories. These products are not necessarily products to avoid, but families with sensitivities or specific health priorities may prefer to look for lower-scoring options.
Score 7–10 (Red — High Hazard): One or more ingredients have significant evidence of hazard. EWG recommends avoiding these products where alternatives exist, especially for babies and young children.
EWG VERIFIED® vs. a good Skin Deep score: A product with a score of 1 on Skin Deep has not necessarily been EWG VERIFIED®. The VERIFIED mark requires manufacturers to submit their full ingredient list (including fragrance components) to EWG for review and to confirm no EWG “Unacceptable” ingredients are present. It’s a higher bar than a good public score alone. EWG VERIFIED® vs. Conventional: What the Score Means
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is “tear-free” the same as non-toxic or EWG-rated low-hazard?
No. “Tear-free” refers to formulas that don’t irritate eyes — it is a pH and surfactant property, not a safety certification. Some tear-free baby shampoos contain ingredients that EWG rates as moderate or high hazard. Always check EWG Skin Deep for the specific product’s score.
Q: Why do some “natural” baby shampoos still score poorly on EWG Skin Deep?
“Natural” is an unregulated marketing term. Products marketed as natural can still contain synthetic preservatives, undisclosed fragrance ingredients, or other chemicals EWG flags. EWG Skin Deep evaluates the actual ingredient list, not the marketing label.
Q: How often should I wash my baby’s hair?
Most pediatricians recommend 2–3 times per week for babies, as overwashing can strip the scalp’s natural moisture barrier. For newborns, once a week is often sufficient unless advised otherwise by your pediatrician.
Q: Can I use the same shampoo for my baby and older kids?
Many of these formulas are gentle enough for the whole family. If you’re using an EWG VERIFIED® formula designed for babies, it’s typically fine for older children and adults too — you’re simply choosing a cleaner product than most adult shampoos.
For more baby skincare essentials, explore our guide to the safest baby lotions rated by EWG Skin Deep. If you’re also looking for a dedicated body wash, see our safest baby wash brands guide.
