There are lots of different shampoos on the market, but when you’re shopping for your baby, it’s important to choose one that’s specifically designed for them.
Baby shampoo is made to be gentle on delicate skin and hair. Furthermore, it can help to prevent scalp irritation and it’s also tear-free so it will not irritate your child’s eyes.
No matter what hair texture your baby has, investing in high-quality shampoo and hair products, will keep their scalp and hair healthy, especially if they have curls or black hair.
Need help finding the best baby shampoo? Here’s a list of 7 safe and best baby shampoos for kids with curly hair.
Also, if you want to choose your own shampoo, I’ll tell you about the top factors you should think about when choosing the best shampoo for your child’s curls.
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Table of Contents
Can you use adult shampoo on babies and little kids?
Bath time should be a relaxing time for your baby, but if you’re using a shampoo that contains harsh chemicals this can be very distressing for your infant. Especially when it causes irritation or when they suffer from cradle cap.
Although it may be more convenient to use your adult curly hair products, chances are that it’s not gentle enough for a baby’s skin or hair.
Of course, high-quality curly shampoos will contain natural ingredients that are beneficial for adult and children’s hair, but the formulas can still be a little too harsh for infants.
Strong perfumes or products that are particularly concentrated could result in skin rashes and general irritation in little ones. So, it’s best to stick with a moisturizing shampoo designed for babies and children.
The good news is that most curly hair brands will have a children’s range. So if you have a particular shampoo that your curls love, you can find a great non-drying formula for your child too.
Look for formulas that are free from these harsh chemicals
The best shampoo for little ones often contains a formula that’s free of toxic chemicals and other harsh ingredients. Focus on natural ingredients and even organic ingredients if you can afford this.
The right products for your baby’s scalp should be gentle and nourishing and not have any harsh chemicals.
Adult shampoos contain a variety of preservatives, synthetic fragrance and cleansing chemicals that are too harsh for baby’s sensitive skin. Think of:
- essential oils,
- fragrance (parfum),
- alcohol,
- mineral oil,
- parabens,
- phthalates
- and sulfates.
Natural curly hair thrives when it doesn’t have bad chemicals drying it. These ingredients can do more harm than good when you want to nourish your kids’ hair and scalp.
Plus, to avoid dry hair and skin irritation in your child, it’s best to use a gentle soothing shampoo that is less likely to initiate allergic reactions.
How to find the best baby shampoo
Curly hair in general loves gentle shampoo and this is even more important when it comes to babies.
Remember that a baby’s hair has not been damaged by heat or chemicals. So if you want to keep their curls looking and feeling healthy, avoid chemicals at all costs.
Organic products that contain natural oils, such as olive oil, can be very good for all curl types.
Products with gentler ingredients are much better suited to babies as they are usually less irritant, especially for little ones with eczema or sensitive skin.
Since their skin is so sensitive, the wrong products may result in ongoing irritation, soreness and hair problems for your little one. So take notice of what’s on the ingredient list.
You can check the ingredients at INCI Decoder or EWG’s Skin Deep to see if it’s the right shampoo for your kid’s hair.
By checking these databases you’ll have a better idea of what you’re actually using on your child’s curly hair, as hidden ingredients can cause a whole range of skin and hair problems.
Moisturizing products that nourish growing hair
Young children spend most of their time on their back which means their hair is under constant friction.
Because of this, it’s not uncommon for infants to experience a dry scalp or frizzy hair. This can be particularly prominent in babies with curly hair.
To protect their curls, the perfect shampoo would be a moisturizing one. By keeping the scalp hydrated you will encourage hair growth, especially around thinning areas while encouraging their natural hair texture to come through.
Which shampoos are best for baby’s curly hair?
It can be difficult to know which brands have the right baby shampoo, since there are so many to choose from.
There can be a lot to consider, especially when you want to be extra mindful when buying a kids tear-free nourishing shampoo.
There are different types of shampoos and baby wash products on the market:
- Baby shampoos that are just for cleaning their hair and scalp.
- Baby washes that are designed to clean your baby’s body.
- Multitasking formulas that do both jobs.
7 Safe and Best Baby Shampoos for kids with curly hair
If you have a baby with curly hair, you’ll want to find a a great shampoo that is nourishing and gentle, while also making it easier to manage their hair. Here are 7 great suggestions to try:
1. Hello Bello
This 2-in-1 formula is great for all hair types and sensitive skin.
Key ingredients are Coconut, Marshmallow Root and aloe vera extracts to soothe, soften, moisturize and nourish.
Most importantly, Hello Bello Premium Shampoo & Body Wash Gently Fresh & Clean is fragrance free and made without:
- phthalates,
- parabens,
- artificial fragrance
- and common allergens (gluten, peanuts and soy).
2. Cara B
Cara B Naturally Baby Shampoo and Body Wash is an all-natural and tear-free formula that ensures a gentle and pleasant experience for your little one.
It’s free of any harmful ingredients that can irritate a delicate, sensitive or eczema skin.
This mild formula with Vitamin E, Coconut Oil and Aloe is designed to gently clean hair and skin and is perfect for babies and children of diverse ethnicities and hair textures.
Why would you buy Cara B? It’s a small and black owned female business.
3. CeraVe
Looking for a baby wash that is gentle enough for your little one’s skin and hair? Look no further. Cerave Baby Wash and Shampoo is developed with pediatric dermatologists and is free of nasties like:
- fragrance,
- parabens,
- dyes,
- phthalates
- and sulfates.
Cerave’s 2-in-1 tear-free shampoo and baby wash has added vitamine E. It’s a great option if you’re looking for mild baby hair products that are perfect for your little one’s delicate skin and hair.
4. Alaffia
Looking for a natural baby shampoo that’s free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, mineral oil, artificial colors and synthetic fragrances?
Alaffia Babies and Kids Shampoo and Body Wash could be your best choice since it’s gentle and non-irritating.
This small business is Black-Owned and committed to empower women-led cooperatives in West Africa.
Aliffia uses natural ingredients that are ethically sourced and never tested on animals.
Key ingredients are:
- Shea Butter,
- Neem
- and Coconut Oil.
5. Shea Moisture
Shea Moisture’s Oat Milk and Rice Water Baby Extra Comforting Wash and Shampoo for sensitive skin is designed to cleanse and soothe delicate baby skin.
This hypoallergenic kids’ shampoo is made with Oat Milk, Rice Water, Sunflower Seed Oil and Fair Trade Shea Butter.
It’s gentle enough for everyday use:
- fragrance-free
- no parabens,
- no phthalates and sulfates
- no mineral Oil
- and no animal testing.
6. Attitude
Attitude Baby Leaves 2-in-1 Natural Hair and Body Foaming Wash is ultra-gentle, natural, and fragrance-free. It leaves no irritating residue and leaves hair and skin clean, soft, and smooth.
Hypoallergenic with a composition that minimizes the risk of dry skin and allergy reactions.
Also, specially crafted for babies with odor and fragrances sensitivities, making it ideal for baby, newborn, and infant’s sensitive skin and scalp.
EWG VERIFIED™ and dermatologically-tested, meaning it’s free of ingredients of concern like:
- phenoxyethanol,
- dyes,
- parabens,
- SLS and SLES,
- BHA and BHT,
- Phtalates
- and Triclosan
7. Pipette
Pipette Vanilla & Ylang Ylang Baby Shampoo and Body Wash is made with gentle, plant-based ingredients that clean your baby’s hair and skin without drying them out or causing irritation.
Plant-derived glycerin combined with natural hydrating ingredients help to restore the natural balance of your baby’s delicate skin. Plus, it’s tear-free and hypoallergenic.
All Pipette skin care products are created with the help of biologists, pediatricians and dermatologists, and are rigorously tested to ensure they’re:
- 100% clean,
- hypoallergenic,
- free of synthetic fragrances,
- vegan & cruelty-free
- EWG Verified.
Is baby shampoo good for curly hair adults?
Most infant shampoos are designed to be “tear free,” and since the pH of tears is around 7, the average pH level of baby shampoo is also around 6 or 7.
Even though it’s not as delicate as it could be, this is still a pretty good range for baby shampoo.
As an adult, you may believe that using baby shampoo is preferable to adult shampoo, because the formulas are likely to have fewer toxins and other potentially hazardous elements.
To some extent, this is valid, as newborns’ scalp and hair are incredibly sensitive.
The sensitivity of a their scalp and hair is why their shampoos are designed to be soft on the skin and hair texture.
They help keep your child’s curls hydrated and silky by not drying the hair or stressing the scalp.
Yet, a baby’s scalp and curls require different care than an adult’s. If you have sensitive skin or a sensitive scalp, you may have good results from using a baby shampoo.
However, if you have scalp problems or other hair problems, you may be better off using an adult shampoo that is pH-neutral.
Wrapping up
With proper hair care from a young age your child’s hair will continue to thrive. So, it’s important you feel confident that the baby shampoo you’re using is the perfect choice.
Curly hair, in all its forms and textures, is beautiful. As parents, we must learn how to care for our child’s hair, including choosing the best baby shampoo.
How you look after your child’s hair in their early years will make a difference in its overall condition and growth rate. So always use the best products available.
It’s never too early to create a healthy washday routine for your little one starting with the best shampoo. Give these suggestions a go today and keep your baby’s curls thriving.
About the author
Angela is a curly girl and has been a beauty blogger since 2012. Because of her passion for beauty and hair, she has been a certified makeup artist since 2016 and has done multiple hair styling trainings. As a cosmetics lover, she writes reviews on cosmetics and provides different solutions that facilitate your daily beauty and curls routine.