When searching for a baby wash, EWG Skin Deep® is one of the most trusted resources parents turn to. Baby skin is thinner and more permeable than adult skin, meaning whatever touches it absorbs more readily. That makes ingredient quality especially relevant for products like baby body wash that parents apply daily and rinse off in bath water.
EWG's Skin Deep® database rates baby wash products on its standard 1–10 hazard scale, where 1 represents the fewest ingredient concerns. Products that meet EWG's most stringent standards earn the EWG VERIFIED® mark — signifying they avoid every ingredient on EWG's Unacceptable List and disclose their complete formulation to EWG scientists.
This guide covers the baby wash products top-rated by EWG Skin Deep in 2026, with notes on EWG VERIFIED® status and where to find them.
Top-Rated Non-Toxic Baby Shampoos | baby wash & body wash
Not sure what EWG VERIFIED® means versus a standard Skin Deep score? Our explainer breaks it down.
Why EWG Skin Deep Ratings Matter for Baby Wash
Baby wash is a daily-use product applied to infants from the first weeks of life. EWG's Skin Deep® database evaluates baby wash products against the same ingredient-hazard framework used for all personal care products — but because babies have thinner skin, smaller body mass, and developing organ systems, the stakes of ingredient exposure are a central concern for many parents.
EWG rates baby wash ingredients for:
- Skin allergens — including synthetic fragrance compounds that may not be individually disclosed on the label.
- Preservative concerns — including formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (like DMDM hydantoin) that EWG rates at higher hazard tiers.
- Developmental toxicity signals — ingredients with evidence of concern related to developmental or reproductive health.
- Ecotoxicity — some surfactants used in rinse-off products are rated for environmental impact.
EWG VERIFIED® baby wash products avoid all of EWG's flagged ingredients and must disclose every component, including fragrance, to earn the mark. Products that aren't EWG VERIFIED® may still score well (1–2) on the numerical scale — the mark represents the highest tier of transparency, while a low Skin Deep score represents favorable ingredient assessment.
Top-Rated Baby Wash: EWG Skin Deep Picks for 2026
1. Proudly Gentle Baby Wash — EWG VERIFIED®
Proudly Gentle Baby Wash bears the EWG VERIFIED® mark, confirmed by EWG as meeting its strictest standards for health and ingredient transparency. The formula is designed to be gentle for newborn skin and avoids synthetic fragrance, sulfates, and EWG's full Unacceptable ingredient list. It's a 2-in-1 product that can be used as both a body wash and a hair rinse for babies.
Best for: Newborns and infants with sensitive skin
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED®
Proudly Gentle Baby Wash — Buy on Amazon ↗
2. Adorable Baby Natural Baby Shampoo + Body Wash — EWG VERIFIED®
Adorable Baby's Natural Baby Shampoo + Body Wash holds the EWG VERIFIED® mark. EWG confirms that at the time of verification, the ingredients in this formulation did not present significant human health concerns. The 2-in-1 format is convenient for bath time and avoids parabens, synthetic fragrance, sulfates, and dyes.
Best for: Newborns through toddlers; 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED®
Adorable Baby Natural Baby Shampoo + Body Wash — Buy on Amazon ↗
3. ATTITUDE Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash — EWG VERIFIED®
ATTITUDE's Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark and is one of the more widely available EWG VERIFIED® baby wash options on the market. EWG confirms that at the time of verification, all ingredients were used at concentrations below EWG's health and safety limits, and the formula avoids EWG's full Unacceptable List. ATTITUDE offers scented and unscented varieties — the unscented version is the lower-concern choice for fragrance-sensitive babies.
Best for: Infants and toddlers; parents seeking a widely available EWG VERIFIED® option
EWG Status: EWG VERIFIED®
ATTITUDE Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash Unscented — Buy on Amazon ↗
4. Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash — Rated by EWG Skin Deep
Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash is listed in EWG's Skin Deep® database and is a popular option in mainstream retail. It uses squalane derived from sugarcane as a conditioning agent and is formulated without sulfates, parabens, or synthetic fragrance. It has a light, clean scent. A widely available option for parents who want to check EWG's score before purchasing.
Best for: Newborns and infants; parents looking for a mainstream-accessible option
EWG Status: Rated by EWG Skin Deep
Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash — Buy on Amazon ↗
5. EveryLife 2-in-1 Shampoo & Baby Wash, Unscented — Rated by EWG Skin Deep
EveryLife's 2-in-1 Shampoo & Baby Wash in the unscented variety is listed in EWG's Skin Deep® database. The unscented formula is the strongest choice from an EWG ingredient perspective, as it removes fragrance from the equation — the ingredient category EWG most commonly flags in baby wash products. It's a straightforward, minimal-ingredient formula designed for daily use on newborns through toddlers.
Best for: Newborns with sensitive or reactive skin; fragrance-sensitive households
EWG Status: Rated by EWG Skin Deep
EveryLife 2-in-1 Shampoo & Baby Wash Unscented — Buy on Amazon ↗
6. Carina Organics Baby Shampoo & Body Wash — Rated by EWG Skin Deep
Carina Organics Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is a Canadian-made certified organic formula listed in EWG's Skin Deep® database. It uses plant-based cleansing agents and organic botanical extracts, and avoids synthetic fragrance and petrochemical derivatives. A well-regarded option in the EWG community with a track record of positive parent reviews.
Best for: Parents prioritizing organic botanical ingredients alongside EWG Skin Deep ratings
EWG Status: Rated by EWG Skin Deep
Carina Organics Baby Shampoo & Body Wash — Buy on Amazon ↗
7. Little Journey Baby Wash & Shampoo — Rated by EWG Skin Deep
Little Journey Baby Wash & Shampoo (an ALDI brand) is listed in EWG's Skin Deep® database and offers parents a budget-accessible option. Not every store brand scores well on EWG Skin Deep — Little Journey appearing in the database is worth noting for cost-conscious families. Availability is limited to ALDI stores and may be seasonal, so check current stock before relying on it as a primary option.
Best for: Budget-conscious parents; ALDI shoppers
EWG Status: Rated by EWG Skin Deep
Little Journey Baby Wash & Shampoo — Buy on Amazon ↗
What EWG Skin Deep Looks for in Baby Wash
EWG's evaluation of baby wash focuses on several ingredient categories that are especially relevant for infant skin:
Fragrance (synthetic): EWG flags synthetic fragrance as a concern in baby products because fragrance formulas can contain sensitizers and allergens that aren't required to be individually listed on labels. The EWG VERIFIED® mark requires full fragrance ingredient disclosure.
Sulfate-based surfactants: Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) are high-foaming detergents EWG notes for skin irritation potential. Lower-hazard alternatives include decyl glucoside and sodium cocoyl glutamate.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives: Ingredients like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, and diazolidinyl urea slowly release formaldehyde in formulations. EWG rates these at higher concern tiers, and none appear in EWG VERIFIED® products.
Parabens: Methylparaben, propylparaben, and butylparaben are preservatives EWG flags due to endocrine disruption signals in the scientific literature. Products scoring in EWG's low range (1–2) generally avoid these.
Baby Wash vs. Baby Shampoo: What's the Difference?
Many baby wash products are formulated as 2-in-1 products — body wash and shampoo combined. Dedicated baby shampoos are typically formulated to be extra gentle around the eyes. If your baby has a sensitive scalp or specific hair concerns, a dedicated baby shampoo may be worth using alongside a body wash.
For most newborns and infants, a 2-in-1 EWG VERIFIED® formula like Proudly Gentle, Adorable Baby, or ATTITUDE covers both needs in one product.
Top-Rated Non-Toxic Baby Shampoos
Frequently Asked Questions
What EWG Skin Deep score should I look for in baby wash?
EWG Skin Deep scores range from 1 (low hazard) to 10 (high hazard). For baby wash, aim for products scoring in the 1–2 range. EWG VERIFIED® products meet an even higher standard — they've gone through EWG's full ingredient review process, not just a database score. A product can score 1 or 2 without holding the EWG VERIFIED® mark; both are meaningful, with EWG VERIFIED® representing the highest transparency tier.
Is fragrance-free baby wash better than baby wash with natural fragrance?
From an EWG Skin Deep perspective, fragrance-free products typically score more favorably because fragrance — even "natural" fragrance — can contain sensitizing compounds that aren't individually disclosed. If a product uses fragrance, EWG VERIFIED® status is the best assurance that the specific fragrance components have been reviewed and meet EWG's standards.
How often should I bathe my baby?
This is a pediatric question outside EWG's scope — and outside ours. Consult your pediatrician. Most pediatric guidance suggests that newborns don't need daily baths; sponge baths 2–3 times per week are typically sufficient until the umbilical cord falls off.
After bath time, don’t forget baby’s skin — our safest baby lotion guide covers EWG’s top-rated moisturizers.
