7 Best Baby Soaps For Sensitive Skin In 2024

✔ Research-backed

MomJunction believes in providing reliable, research-backed information to you. As per our strong editorial policy requirements, we base our health articles on references (citations) taken from authority sites, international journals, and research studies. However, if you find any incongruencies, feel free to write to us.

Best Soap For Babies1

Image: MomJunction Design Team

Keep your baby clean and healthy with our list of the best baby soaps. As children have delicate, sensitive skin, you need specialized soaps free of harsh chemicals to prevent irritation and dryness. Baby soaps are made of nourishing,child-friendly, and professional-grade ingredients to keep your child’s skin soft, smooth, and moisturized. With minimal or natural fragrances, these soaps for babies can enhance your child’s bathing experience. So, take a look at this list of soaps, tested by the reviewers, and learn about their features to find one that suits your child’s needs.

In This Article

7 Best Baby Soaps For Sensitive Skin & Buying Guide For 2024

1. Best Unscented: Woods Unscented Baby Mild Bar Soap with Organic Shea Butter

star-ratingstar-ratingstar-ratingstar-ratingstar-rating
4.4
Woods Unscented Baby Mild Bar Soap with Organic Shea Butter Image: Dr. Woods

This emollient-rich baby soap by Dr. Woods has been formulated with the goodness of locally-sourced organic oils to suit any skin type, from the sensitive skin of a newborn to the aging skin of an adult. Watch this video to know more about this fragrance-free baby soap so that you can make an informed choice.

Skin Type: All

Pros

  • Free of gluten
  • No animal testing
  • Sulfates-free baby soap
  • Rich in shea butter for smooth skin
  • Moisturizes skin effectively

Cons

  • May not work for eczema-prone skin

2. Best For Cracked Skin: Lavender Goat Milk Soap Bars

star-ratingstar-ratingstar-ratingstar-ratingstar-rating
4.5
Southern Natural Lavender Goat Milk Soap Image: Southern Natural
worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

About 797 reviewers on Amazon have given their seal of approval to the product.

If your baby suffers from eczema, cracked skin, or dry skin, try using this expert-recommended handmade Lavender Goat Milk Soap Bars soap by Southern Natural. This paraben-free baby soap contains all-natural ingredients that are beneficial as well as mild to protect the baby’s delicate skin.

The non-irritating baby soap is also rich in goat milk which contains antioxidants and healthy fats that can protect the skin.

Skin Type: All, Sensitive, Dry, Normal

Pros

  • Rich in coconut and palm oil
  • Helps reduce inflammation
  • Gentle aroma
  • Does not affect the skin’s microbiome

Cons

  • May not be suitable for dry skin
  • Does not soothe itchy skin

My Personal Experience

"I've found this goat milk soap bar remarkably beneficial for my baby's sensitive and dry skin. Using it has eased the constant itchiness and even made the skin feel wonderful. It does have a powerful scent, but it's refreshing nonetheless. The earthy smell, perfect size, and decent lather have hooked me to this soap."


protip_icon Quick Fact
Virgin coconut oil helps to moisturize the skin, enhance the skin’s barrier, and protect the skin with its anti-inflammatory properties (2).

3. Best Citrus Fragrance: Aspen Kay Naturals Aloe Vera & Calendula Soap

worth-buy-icon

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The 1,597 positive customer reviews on Amazon attest to the product’s quality.

Aspen Kay Naturals Aloe Vera & Calendula Soap contains natural healing ingredients that are gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin. Crafted with expert-recommended ingredients, this baby product is gluten- and cruelty-free and packaged using a plastic-free, recycled, and compostable material.

Skin Type: All, Combination, Sensitive, Dry, Normal

Pros

  • Helps reduce itchiness
  • Soothes irritated skin
  • Rich in coconut and sunflower oil
  • Reduced inflammation
  • Not tested on animals

Cons

  • Not all may like the calendula smell
  • May only last through several washes
Woods Unscented Baby Mild Bar Soap
Best Unscented
Lavender Goat Milk Soap Bars
Best For Cracked Skin
Aspen Kay Naturals Aloe Vera & Calendula Soap
Best Citrus Fragrance
Skin Type All All, Sensitive, Dry, Normal All, Combination, Sensitive, Dry, Normal
Rating
Reviews1547971,597
Price$16.99$21.99$9.45

4. Best For Sensitive Skin: Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Baby Eczema Bar Soap

Looking for a soothing baby soap that can help with your baby’s eczema woes? Well, have a look at the Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Baby Eczema Bar Soap. This moisturizing baby soap is specially formulated with natural ingredients to relieve the sensitive skin of babies from eczema. You can watch this video to know about the tester’s experience and understand how to use this natural baby soap.

Skin Type: Dry | Product Dimensions: 2 x 1 x 3 inches | Weight: 5.28 Ounces

Pros

  • Reduces dry patches
  • Keeps the skin hydrated
  • Comes with natural ingredients
  • Rich in fatty acids

Cons

  • May have a strong scent
  • May not be suitable to be used on the face

protip_icon Point To Consider
As per a study, shea butterr can help revitalize and smoothen dry skin by amply hydrating it while reducing scars and the symptoms of dermatitis (3).

5. Best Hypoallergenic: Johnson & Johnson Baby Soap

A baby skin product list is incomplete if there is no mention of Johnson & Johnson. This gentle baby soap is specially formulated for the sensitive skin of babies.

Skin Type: Dry | Product Dimensions: 2 x 1 x 3 inches | Weight: 5.28 Ounces

Pros

  • Does not contain artificial colors
  • Helps keep skin soft and smooth
  • Antibacterial properties
  • Retains skin’s microbial flora

Cons

  • May not be suitable for dry skin

6. Best Dermatologist-Tested: Baby Dove Bar

star-ratingstar-ratingstar-ratingstar-ratingstar-rating
4.5

This Baby Dove Bar is pediatrician- and dermatologist-tested, so you can rest assured that it is totally safe for your precious little one. Learn more about this calming baby soap in this reviewer’s video.

Number of Items: 10 | Skin Type: Dry | Product Dimensions: 3.38 x 2.38 x 1.38 inches | Weight: 9.92 Ounces

Pros

  • Rich in natural ingredients
  • Tear-free formula
  • Skin-friendly
  • pH-balanced baby soap

Cons

  • May dry out skin

protip_icon Quick Tip
Ensure the bathing water is around 37.8° Celsius (C) or 100° Fahrenheit (F). Test the water using a bath thermometer. The water should feel warm, not hot (1).

7. Best Antiseptic And Antibacterial: Natural Solution Organic and Natural Baby Bar Soap

*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.

This antibacterial baby soap is Infused with sunflower seed oil that offers antiseptic benefits naturally. This doctor-recommended gentle yet nourishing baby soap is suitable for your baby’s sensitive skin.

Skin Type: Sensitive | Color: ‎Sunflower Seed Oil Soap Bar (6-Pack) | Product Dimensions: ‎5.5 x 4.2 x 4.3 inches | Item Weight: ‎5.2 ounces

Pros

  • Rich in Himalayan salts for cleansing skin
  • Relieves skin from irritations
  • SLS-free
  • Talc-free

Cons

  • May melt away quickly

How To Choose The Right Baby Soaps?

The quality of a soap depends on the ingredients used and several other factors. Consider these important points when purchasing baby soap.

1. Ingredients: Check the ingredient list and get soaps with natural ingredients that offer a boost of hydration and are gentle on the baby’s skin. Ingredients such as jojoba oil, glycerine, honey, and shea butter help maintain the moisture of your baby’s skin and protect it from dryness. So you may look for organic baby soaps to get the best of authentic natural ingredients. Or you can also select clinically-tested soaps that are devoid of harsh chemicals.

Gabrielle Richens, a London-based skin therapist and reviewer of this post, says, “The most important thing to look for when buying products for your baby’s skin is natural ingredients. Make sure they are free of harsh detergents such as SLS, irritating fragrances, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) such as parabens.”

2. Hypoallergenic Formula: A baby’s skin is sensitive and prone to allergies. If your child has dry skin or eczema, consider choosing a hypoallergenic baby soap or mild baby soap.

3. Tear-free: Your sweet little angel is new to the concept of bathing, and you would not want to trouble their eyes every time you bathe them. Opt for a tear-free baby soap, so bathing does not become a painful experience for your baby.

4. Unscented soaps: Soaps with intense synthetic fragrances contain harsh chemicals that can harm your baby’s skin. Thus, it is always a good idea to avoid fragrant soaps. However, if you like some fragrance in your baby’s soap, ensure it is mild or natural.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Vibha Navarathna, the author of this article, understands how sensitive and precious your baby’s skin is, and hence, she has compiled this list of the best baby soaps that are effective and mild. She has considered factors such as safe ingredients, gentle formula, and fragrance to help you decide on the right one. Besides, Vibha has also highlighted the pros and cons and included a helpful buying guide section that lists a few points you must consider before buying a bar of soap for your baby.

The Bottom Line

The best baby soaps listed in this post contain all-natural ingredients and are enriched with the goodness of essential nutrients that moisturize and nourish your baby’s skin. Unlike regular soaps, these are also free of harsh chemicals and artificial fragrances. Our top choices include the Baby Dove Bar known for its tear-free formula and natural components and the Lavender Goat Milk Soap Bars known for their moisturizing properties. The Aspen Kay Naturals Aloe Vera & Calendula Soap helps calm and soothe irritated skin. And to ensure your baby’s bath time is exciting, the soaps chosen are tear-free and gentle on the skin. So, add one to your shopping cart and pamper your baby’s sensitive skin and keep it smelling fresh.

Infographics: Precautions To Observe When Using Baby Soaps

Baby soaps are specially designed to suit the sensitive skin of babies. They generally do not contain harsh chemicals and gently cleanse the baby’s skin. However, observing some precautions is best to ensure your bundle of joy is safe. Read the following infographic to learn how to use baby soap properly.

Safety-Tips-To-Follow-When-Using-A-Baby-Soap (infographic)

Illustration: Momjunction Design Team


References

MomJunction's articles are written after analyzing the research works of expert authors and institutions. Our references consist of resources established by authorities in their respective fields. You can learn more about the authenticity of the information we present in our editorial policy.
  1. Bathing Your Baby
    https://www.nationwidechildrens.org/family-resources-education/health-wellness-and-safety-resources/helping-hands/bathing-your-baby
  2. In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6335493/
  3. DEC033 Study Product for Mild to Moderate Eczema An Open-label
    Adaptive-design Pilot Study

Community Experiences

Join the conversation and become a part of our nurturing community! Share your stories, experiences, and insights to connect with fellow parents.

Dr. Meena Konada is a board-certified dermatologist with nine years of experience. She is currently practicing as a consultant dermatologist in one of the renowned skin clinics in Hyderabad, India. A specialist in aesthetics and trichology, Dr.

Read full bio of Dr. Meena Konada
Vibha is a coder turned content writer. She holds a Masters degree in Computer Applications from Osmania University, Hyderabad and a certificate in 'Introduction To Child Psychology'. Her passion for writing fresh and informative content made her a full-time writer in 2019.

Read full bio of Vibha Navarathna
Wedetso Chirhah
Wedetso ChirhahMA English
Wedetso Chirhah holds a masters degree in English Literature from Mangalore University and has over 13 years of experience in content. He has written content for more than 15 B2B websites and edited school books before joining MomJunction as an editor.

Read full bio of Wedetso Chirhah
Dr. Ritika Shah is a certified lactation counsellor (CLC) from iNational Health Care Academy, Singapore and a dental surgeon with more than seven years of clinical experience across various cities in India. She did her graduation in Dentistry from KM Shah Dental College.

Read full bio of Dr. Ritika Shah