The 10 Best Shampoos For Kids
This wiki has been updated 24 times since it was first published in March of 2018. Parents know that in order for bathtime to run smoothly, you have to have the right products on hand. These shampoos for kids, most of which are tear-free and made with natural ingredients, are designed to clean hair gently and thoroughly without causing skin irritations. We've also included targeted formulas that address specific issues, like lice, dandruff, and tangles. When users buy our independently chosen editorial picks, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.
1. SheaMoisture Extra-Nourishing
2. Suave BB-8 Galactic Fresh
3. Everyone 3-in-1
Editor's Notes
May 19, 2020:
When it comes to kids shampoos, we give preference to formulas that are comprised mostly or entirely of natural ingredients. We also generally lean towards tear-free options, so those are what comprise most of this list. That being said, we do realize there are times that may not be an option, such as when your child is dealing with really bad dandruff and only a high-strength therapeutic shampoo like Sulfur8 Medicated will do the trick. Though, before you reach for that, you may want to give Honeydew Flake Fighter a try, as it is also very effective at combating that problem, but instead of using zinc pyrithione, it relies on tea tree and jojoba oils.
Since kids are notoriously finicky at bath time, we also gave preference to formulas that do triple duty, acting as a shampoo, conditioner, and body wash, all in one. These include Suave BB-8 Galactic Fresh, Everyone 3-in-1, and The Honeykeeper Little Chamomile. It is worth noting that, while not 3-in-1s, Fresh Monster Coconut Milk and L'Oreal Watermelon do double duty, acting as both a shampoo and a conditioner.
Anyone with elementary-aged children knows about the worry of lice, and some, unfortunately, know about the horrors of actually having to deal with them. To prevent yourself from falling into this latter group, you may want to start using Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel on your kids. Its namesake ingredient along with added citronella work as chemical-free deterrents to those nasty pests, so they never become an issue in your home. If it is too late for that, you may need to start with a lice elimination kit before making Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel a part of your child's daily routine.
Special Honors
Rocky Mountain Soap Company Happy Kids Natural Made with sarsaparilla Happy Kids Natural has a root beer-like fragrance that should appeal to little ones and maybe encourage them to spend a little more time washing their hair. As its name implies, it is free of harsh chemicals, and instead makes use of plant-based aminos and soap nut extract for its cleansing properties. rockymountainsoap.com
Dandydill Way Wild Hawthorne Berry Dandydill Way Wild Hawthorne Berry is a little pricey, but it is specially formulated to be very mild, offering gentle cleansing without irritating the scalp, so if your child often experiences itching with other options, it may be worth a try. It is a pH-balanced formula made with 97.4% natural and plant-derived ingredients. dandydillway.com
4. Fairy Tales Rosemary Repel
5. The Honeykeeper Little Chamomile
6. Honeydew Flake Fighter
7. Fresh Monster Coconut Milk
8. Cantu Care
9. L'Oreal Watermelon
10. Sulfur8 Medicated
A wandering writer who spends as much time on the road as in front of a laptop screen, Brett can either be found hacking away furiously at the keyboard or, perhaps, enjoying a whiskey and coke on some exotic beach, sometimes both simultaneously, usually with a four-legged companion by his side. He has been a professional chef, a dog trainer, and a travel correspondent for a well-known Southeast Asian guidebook. He also holds a business degree and has spent more time than he cares to admit in boring office jobs. He has an odd obsession for playing with the latest gadgets and working on motorcycles and old Jeeps. His expertise, honed over years of experience, is in the areas of computers, electronics, travel gear, pet products, and kitchen, office and automotive equipment.