Best Baby Eczema Wash of 2022: 5 Mom-Favorite Body Washes for Eczema
Treating your baby’s eczema can be downright frustrating.
My daughter suffered from eczema literally from the moment she was born. We’re all born red-faced but hers was, like, really red. Red and peeling. It didn’t improve for a good 2 months.
During which time, I experimented with different baby eczema treatments that actually relieved her symptoms. Some worked. Some made her eczema worse. Fast-forward fifteen months, we still fight the occasional flare-ups, but I think we have a fantastic regemen that keeps her skin mostly clear.
If you’re frustrated or unsure with how to relieve your baby’s eczema, I feel for you. In this post, we’re going to talk about one of the best things you can do for your little one: finding the best baby eczema wash for his skin!
Treating your baby’s eczema can be downright frustrating.
Just note that while the main goal of this post is to tell you about some of the best baby washes for eczema, that’s only solving part of the problem.
So, I’m also going to briefly talk about what eczema is and how it should change what soaps you use, what to look for in a baby eczema wash, and how to bathe your baby to minimize flare-ups. Basically, I want to share the tips that worked best for us because that’s just as important as finding the right soap!
Eczema is a highly specialized skin condition and (unfortunately) there isn’t a cure-all for it. But hopefully, with these effective products and tips, you’ll find the solution that works for your little one.
Are you ready to kick this flakey skin to the curb? I hope so!
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5 Best Baby Washes for Eczema
This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase from one of the links I will make a small commission at no charge to you. I only recommend what I trust. Blunders in Babyland does not diagnose, treat, or advise medical conditions.
Before we get into the really good tips, let’s dive into some of my favorite baby eczema washes.
But can I come clean to you first? We’re not actually looking at the best baby soap for eczema, because none of these are soaps! Everything on this list is technically a cleanser.
Cleansers hydrate your baby’s skin and maintain his natural skin oil. Soaps, on the other hand, contain the ingredient sodium lauryl sulfate, (you know, the thing that makes bar soap sudsy and bubbly), which will mess with your baby’s ph level and dry out his skin.
Just a subtle distinction that I wanted to make before we got started!
Baby Dove
Baby Dove’s sensitive skin cleansers are the best body wash for baby eczema on a budget!
This is my absolute fave and I’m so happy to share it with you. I stumbled across it after receiving a sample from my Amazon Baby Welcome Box and fell in love with it. It lathers well and is so impossibly gentle on my daughter’s skin.
The Baby Dove Hypoallergenic Wash is formulated specifically for sensitive skin types. Fragrance-free, tear-free and paraben-free. I like the hypoallergenic line specifically because it doesn’t contain any extra ingredients.
Baby Dove also offers a line called Eczema Care Soothing Wash. This is specifically formulated for eczema, and contains soothing ingredients like colloidal oatmeal.
These two lines aren’t found in the EWG Skin-Deep Database ( an established organization that rates the chemicals in household and personal products) but, the Derma Care line ranks fair on the EWG skin-deep scale.
Both lines are approved by the National Eczema Association.
The downside? It’s not sudsy at all 🙁 No bubbles for your baby’s bubble bath!
Cetaphil
I really, really like this one. I’ve used it on my daughter several times and with great results. Cetaphil Baby Wash and Shampoo is paraben-free, tear-free, and contains calendula flower (which is known for soothing irritated skin). The texture is good and it bubbles in the water nicely (essential for keeping babies entertained!)
It’s approved by the National Eczema Association.
The real downside to this Cetaphil line is that it’s not fragrance-free and it’s not considered a body wash and shampoo.
Aquaphor Baby Body Wash
I’ve been a fan of Aquaphor for a while. The unscented baby lotion saved my daughter during her newborn days!
Aquaphor makes an excellent baby wash for sensitive skin…whether your little one suffers from eczema or not. It’s definitely considered a mom-favorite… If you look on Amazon.com, I think you’ll be astounded by the praise given by parents.
There are a few things I like about Aquaphor’s baby eczema wash. 1., it’s fragrance-free, meaning no icky phosphates that mess your baby’s skin.
It does, however, contain chamomile essence and provitamin B5. Chamomile is one of my favorite herbs. It contains anti-inflammatory and anti-anxiety properties. Meanwhile, Provitamin B5 actually helps your baby’s skin retain its hydration.
The downside? According to EWG skin deep database, it contains a few sketch ingredients, like COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE and DECYL GLUCOSIDE. Which aren’t bad ingredients, but they are known as potential allergens.
Baby Bum
Are you looking for a natural soap for baby eczema?
Check out Baby Bum Shampoo and Wash! In addition to being Paraben, Sulfate, Silicone, Phthalate and tear-free, Baby Bum Shampoo and Wash is actually plant-based! It’s vegan and gluten-free. This is fantastic for you moms and dads that suspect your little one may have a gluten-sensitivity.
Baby Bum is made with Sea Minerals, Monoi Coconut Oil, Banana, Aloe and White Ginger.
I use aloe vera plant gel all the time to soothe my little one’s wounds. Having said that, make sure you do a little patch test before going all-in. While these natural ingredients are supposed to be very gentle, you never know how your little one will respond (prime example, my little girl’s skin can not stand coconut oil).
The downside, some parents have complained about it not being tear-free and it is a little price-y.
Pipette New Formula Baby Shampoo + Wash
Some of the best baby washes for eczema aren’t even advertised as such!
Parents are raving about Pipette! It’s next on my list to try as well!
First of all, Pipette boasts a EWG certification. This is the highest score you can achieve on the EWG skin deep database. That’s fantastic!
Secondly, it contains no phosphates (synthetic fragrances). Instead, Pipette baby shampoo and wash is infused with vanilla and ylang ylang.
Not too familiar with ylang ylang? Ylang ylang is actually used for a ton of natural skincare products. It aids your oil production as well as moisture retention. The fact that it smells wonderfully floral helps too!
My favorite part? Pipette is priced very well for a plant-based baby eczema wash!
The downside: you never know how your baby will respond to natural herbs. Do a patch test first!
What to Look for in Baby Eczema Wash
Okay, you have the list of the best soaps cleansers, but you’re confused about which you should choose. Or, let’s say you see another product you’re interested in that isn’t on this list. How in the world do you choose the best baby eczema wash for your little one?
Let’s look at the important things you should consider before deciding.
Ingredients
Ideally, you want to avoid synthetic ingredients that are known to cause skin reactions and lean toward several natural ingredients that are known to help eczema.
Ingredients that help eczema:
- oatmeal
- shea butter
- lavender essential oil (NOT lavender scent!)
- chamomile flower
- organic calendula
- sunflower oil
Ingredients you’ll want to avoid:
- alcohol
- glycol
- propylene
- sodium lauryl sulfate
- parabens
- phosphates (used for fragrances or even unscented)
Fragrance-Free vs. Unscented
Fragrance-free does not mean that the soap will not have a scent. I know…confusing.
Unscented means the product does not have a scent. Companies use phosphates to neutralize the fragrance ingredients already in the soap. So, unscented isn’t necessarily better for eczema.
If you’ve been buying unscented soaps in hopes of curing your baby’s eczema, this may have actually exacerbated it.
The best baby washes for eczema are usually fragrance-free, not unscented.
Ph Balance
Sometimes products will advertise that they are ph neutral. Sometimes, this helps baby eczema. Sometimes it doesn’t.
Many companies advertise their products as Ph neutral since researchers found that children with eczema have a higher ph level than kids that do not. But the jury is still out as to whether or not this actually helps eczema. There’s no way to tell how your child will react.
Tear-Free
When you’re bathing your baby, the last thing you want to do is create an unpleasant experience. Tear-free baby wash is another way of saying that these washes don’t have eye-irritating ingredients.
Price
We’re going through hard times. It’d be nice to give our children the stars, but the fact is sometimes we can’t pay for it. I’ve included a few baby eczema washes on the higher end of the scale because they may be very helpful for your baby. But for the most part, these washes are very affordable.
What is Baby Eczema and Why it Changes What Soap You Should Use
If you’ve been dealing with your baby’s eczema for a while now, you might roll your eyes.
Erin, seriously, I know what eczema is.
Your understanding of eczema directly correlates to which products you’ll buy to combat it. Because eczema is NOT easy to combat.
By this point, you’re probably very familiar with the red patches of skin on your baby’s body. Eczema is dry, itchy skin that can afflict your little one in several places, but namely your baby baby’s face, legs, arms, hands, feet, and back. Although eczema is more common in white-Caucasian children, babies of color absolutely can also develop it too.
The tricky thing about eczema is…there isn’t a single cause. Your baby is either prone to it or not. And if he is, several things can be a trigger.
Here are just a few causes of eczema:
- Allergens (in food, formula, or milk)
- External Allergens (dust, mites, dandruff)
- Detergent
- Environmental (VOCs, cigarrette smoke, dust, wildfire smoke, humidity, hot or cold weather)
- Certain fabrics (rubbing against skin)
- Soap, Shampoo, Lotions
Your baby may be affected by all or none of these. And the time your baby may suffer from range from newborn – 2 months, all the way into the toddler years.
All that to say, a baby wash probably won’t cure your baby’s eczema. But choosing the right kind can reduce flare-ups.
Really think about the list above. Take note of when your baby’s flare-ups happen. Buy a really good baby wash for eczema and have a few hardcore products (like creams) on standby.
How to Bathe Your Baby with Eczema
Okay, you’ve decided on the best baby eczema wash for your little one. Now, just slurp it all in the tub and call it a day, right? Ha. No.
Ironically, you’ll want to use very little of this fancy new soap.
Speaking from personal experience, it is absolutely crucial that you rinse ALL of the soap off your baby’s skin (especially during the newborn phase). I liked to drain the little bath and rinse my baby off with a clean washcloth to ensure that no residue remained.
Here are few more tips on how to bathe your baby with eczema:
- Use lukewarm to warm water. If your baby’s skin is red, you’re probably drying it out.
- Keep the bath short. 10-15 minutes tops.
- Apply eczema cream or lotion afterwards. If you’re in the newborn phase you may want to apply all over. If you’re past that, just apply to the problem areas.
More Tips to Relieve Baby Eczema
Efficient bathing habits and find the best baby wash for eczema is only part of the battle.
Here are some super easy tips I try to practice that I believe have reduced my daughter’s flare-ups.
Use Fragrance-Free Baby Detergent: After about six months, I was able to wash my daughter’s clothes with the rest of our loads. Before that, I had to wash everything that touched her skin with very gentle, fragrance-free detergent. Sheets, towels, pajamas, hats, clothes…everything.
Identify Triggers: Your child’s skin is sensitive. There’s a good chance multiple things trigger her eczema flare-ups. My child’s biggest trigger is food. That is, the food on her face, after every meal. Also, cold weather. When she was a newborn, the cat’s fur could trigger it.
Try Water-Based Wipes or Wash Clothes: Have you ever wiped food off your baby’s face with a wet wipe? It’s so convenient! Unfortunately, wet wipes can cause flare-ups as well (even if the wet-wipes are sensitive). Try a wash-cloth or water-based wet wipes and observe how that works.
Experiment with Baby Washes for Eczema
I sincerely hope that my experiences are helpful to you and your baby. Fighting eczema can be frustrating. Sometimes you feel like you take a step forward to conquering eczema, only to be knocked on your butt a few days later when it comes back in full-force.
Don’t feel bad, mama. Literally no one in the entire world is like your little guy. It’ll take time to figure out his skincare needs. In the meantime, I hope you’ll try out some of these baby eczema washes and best practice tips. Let me know how it goes!
Do You Have a best baby eczema wash? Let me know below! You’d be helping out other mamas!
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