“Children have delicate skin that is thinner and more sensitive than an adult’s,” says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp. “Kid-safe shampoo is generally formulated with gentle ingredients while adult shampoos can contain harsher ingredients like sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances that can irritate the scalp, skin, and eyes.” For this reason, when curating this list I focused on formulas with:
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Every option on this list is sulfate-free.
This shampoo comes recommended by LoGerfo because it’s hypoallergenic, free of common irritants, including parabens and phthalates, and is an excellent option for those with sensitive skin. “It is extremely gentle (almost soothing) and has a light scent that isn’t overwhelming,” she says. “This product also detangles the hair well, making it easy to manage.”
If your child has curly hair, Aveeno makes a similarly hydrating option specifically for curly and coily hair, which should help define these patterns.
LoGerfo loves this shampoo because it’s of gentle, mild formula. One of its main objectives is to strengthen the hair strands and prevent breakage as children’s hair tends to be fine and delicate, according to the brand. Many reviewers say that despite it being a smaller bottle than other shampoos, you only need a small amount so it lasts.
Evereden’s lightweight shampoo detangles hair while also softening and repairing, according to the brand. Reviewers say that despite its higher price point, it’s worth it because it reduces the pain and stress of post-shower brushing without snagging, pulling and breakage.
If your child has straight hair, you can use the formula, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 200 reviews on Amazon, as a 2-in-1 — meaning you don’t need to follow it up with a conditioner, according to Evereden.
This sensitive shampoo is a staple in my household because it’s a more cost-effective option for my entire family. My two brothers, little sister and parents use it despite our age differences and varying hair and scalp types. It’s a very lightweight shampoo that deep cleans without weighing down fine hair, which isn’t always the case. Not only does it give my younger siblings and I a thorough cleanse, but it also doesn’t cause dryness or tightness or trigger eczema outbreaks.
My younger brothers love using this shampoo conditioner duo (especially the scalp care option), but they’ve been trying out this new fragrance-free version, and they can’t stop raving about it. They say it’s easy to work into a lather and rinse out, plus it doesn’t “sting” or “burn.”
This shampoo also has the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, meaning it’s undergone testing and is free of known allergens and irritants that may irritate those with eczema. My brothers’ scalps never seem irritated, and their hair looks healthier and feels softer, too.
Reviewers say this kid’s shampoo helps reduce frizz in their child’s curly hair, leaving it softer, more moisturized, and easier to detangle. It also works to remove curly styling products from the scalp without drying out the skin. Reviewers are divided on its fragrance, however. Some say they love it and others say they found it too strong and overpowering. It has a 4.6-star average rating from over 100 reviews at Target.
This plant-based shampoo leaves hair soft and manageable and has a nice, subtle scent, according to LoGerfo. Reviewers also love its consistency, saying it’s not watery or too thick and lathers well, unlike other alternatives that use gentle cleansing agents. Reviewers also say they notice a difference in how shiny their kids’ hair looks after showering.
Ottley also recommends this everyday shampoo from Fairy Tales, a kid’s hair care brand. This formula simultaneously targets multiple hair care concerns, including detangling, adding volume and shine and softening and moisturizing the hair. It does so by combining butters and two types of proteins, one of which is quinoa protein that prevents breakage, according to the brand. Some reviewers say they share this with their kids and notice less trapped hair in their brushes because the shampoo acts like a level of defense from excess shedding.
This shampoo, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 7,000 reviews on Amazon, repairs damage caused by chlorine, saltwater and other environmental elements while removing any lingering residue from the hair and scalp.
Although it has conditioning elements in it (it’s a three-in-one formula), some reviewers say it’s not as softening for their child’s hair type and texture. Therefore, you may want to consider using an additional conditioner after this shampoo for added softness.
While children’s shampoos and high-quality adult shampoos have a few key differences, they have a lot of the same guiding principles of what you’d want to look for in a formula. The goal for both groups is to have a healthy scalp. To do so you should pay attention to:
Just like you would with a shampoo for an adult, you’ll want a formula with gentle, skin-friendly ingredients free from as many harsh chemicals as possible to maintain healthy hair and scalp, according to our experts.
Like with adult shampoos, avoid formulas with parabens, alcohol and sulfates; parabens and alcohol are drying, and sulfates strip the natural oils from the scalp, which can cause dryness and hair breakage, according to Ottley.
“While it is a marketing term, there is testing that can be performed to determine if a product is actually tear-free or not,” says Garshick. For example, the pH level of “tear-free shampoo” is similar to human tears, meaning your child may have reduced irritation when it meets their eyes, according to LoGerfo. The pH of these shampoos is closer to seven, says Garshick. Adult shampoos’ pH levels can vary (range from 3.5-9) but tend to lean more acidic, whereas a shampoo for kids is “neutral,” according to the National Institute of Health.
When you see a “tear-free” label that also likely indicates the formula has mild ingredients (like SLS and SLES alternatives) to prevent your children’s eyes from burning, says Ottley.
“A lot of the time, kids are afraid of washing their hair because of the stinging shampoo can cause, but tear-free shampoo can alleviate a child’s anxiety,” says LoGerfo.
Hypoallergenic formulations minimize a child’s allergic potential. To do so, brands usually avoid including dyes, sulfates, artificial fragrances, phthalates, formaldehyde and parabens from formulas, according to LoGerfo.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bianca Alvarez is a former NBC Select associate reporter who covered new product launches and beauty and wellness topics, including recent stories on the best leave-in conditioners and the best hair masks. For this article, she interviewed a doctor and hair stylist about children’s scalp and hair concerns and how to properly care for and cleanse them. She also gathered their recommendations, NBC Select-staff favorites, and highly rated options aligned with expert guidance.
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