What to look for in a kids’ shampoo that won’t irritate their delicate skin and scalps

As a kid, anytime shampoo landed in my eyes I would immediately start to cry. That burning sensation was painful and something I never wanted to re-experience. Because of this, learning which shampoos wouldn’t irritate my skin, scalp and eyes became a key part of making my childhood showers an enjoyable task.

Now, as a beauty reporter devoted to finding the best skin and hair care products, and as an older sister to three young and pre-teen siblings, I’ve been curious about how much the shampoo market’s changed from when I was a kid. Were tear-free formulas still a marketing tactic? Did my favorite brands reformulate their bestsellers? I spoke with experts about the best kid-friendly shampoos on the market and what you should know about their formulas before buying one.

SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best kids shampoos | The best kids shampoo in 2025 | How to shop for kids shampoo | Why trust NBC Select?

How I picked the best kids’ shampoos

“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:

• Gentle ingredients: Kid shampoos often have a “tear-free” marketing label on them though they don’t have a clearly defined or regulated definition. Generally, when a brand includes this label on their bottle they’re trying to communicate that the formula is free of common ingredients that are likely to irritate a child’s skin and eyes, according to board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marisa Garshick. This includes parabens, silicones, sulfates and harsh surfactants (cleansing agents), which are commonly found in adult shampoos. By finding alternatives to these chemicals, you’re protecting your child’s scalp from adverse reactions, including redness, inflammation and itching, according to Dr. Jodi LoGerfo, a doctor of nursing practice and a family nurse practitioner certified in family medicine and dermatology.
• Age: Although some children’s shampoos are also suitable for babies, this list focuses on formulas that are created for ages three and up. That said, a lot of these shampoos are fine for adult use, too. Since children’s shampoos are essentially just sensitive-skin gentle versions, they’re good for anyone.

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The best shampoo for kids in 2025

Every option on this list is sulfate-free.

Best overall: Aveeno 2 in-1 Kids Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner

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.

Key ingredients: oat extract, glycerin | Size: 12 fl oz | Fragrance options: fresh

Best for sensitive scalps: Raw Sugar Living Kids’ 2-in-1 Sensitive Shampoo & Conditioner

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.

Key ingredients: aloe, shea butter, calendula, chamomile | Size: 12 fl oz | Fragrance options: fragrance-free

Best for shine: Fresh Monster 2-in-1 Kids Shampoo and Conditioner

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.

Key ingredients: glycerin | Size: 8.5 fl oz | Fragrance options: coconut

Best splurge: Original Sprout Hair and Body Babywash

Ottley recommends this 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash because it’s hypoallergenic. Even if your child doesn’t have any known allergies, these formulas are designed to minimize any potential for allergic reactions or irritation. One of its key ingredients, rosemary extract, stimulates scalp circulation (which is key for healthy hair growth) and also soothes irritation associated with eczema and cradle cap, according to the brand. The vegan formula is also free of soy, gluten, honey, peanut and dairy.

Key ingredients: aloe, glycerin, rosemary, calendula | Size: 1 fl oz, 3 fl oz, 12 fl oz, 32 fl oz | Fragrance options: fresh

Most moisturizing: Shea Moisture Mango & Carrot Kids’ Extra-Nourishing Shampoo

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.

Key ingredients: panthenol, glycerin, mango seed butter, carrot oil, shea butter | Size: 8 fl oz | Fragrance options: fresh

Best for the entire family: Honest Company Sensitive Shampoo + Body Wash

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.

Key ingredients: chamomile, aloe, glycerin, panthenol, calendula | Size: 10 fl oz, 18 fl oz | Fragrance options: fragrance-free

Best for strengthening hair: Fairy Tales Daily Cleanse Everyday Shampoo

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.

Key ingredients: jojoba seed oil, quinoa, rice proteins, avocado | Size: 3.3 fl oz, 12 fl oz, 32 fl oz | Fragrance options: papaya pear

Best for coily hair: As I Am Born Curly Avocado Shea Cowash

This co-wash (a shampoo and conditioner hybrid with more conditioning agents than traditional 2-in-1s) is great for children with curly, coily and dry hair because it improves scalp and hair health while adding moisture back to both, according to the brand. Reviewers say they love how it helps detangle and define their child’s curls without weighing them down or leaving them feeling dry or greasy. If your child has long or tangle-prone hair, consider detangling it using a comb before rinsing the co-wash, according to the brand.

Key ingredients: shea butter, avocado oil, coconut oil | Size: 8 fl oz | Fragrance options: vanilla

Best for swimmers: SoCozy Kids Swim 3-in-1 Shampoo

This shampoo, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 6,519 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.

Key ingredients: charcoal, jojoba oil, coffee seed extract, glycerin, rice protein | Size: 10.5 fl oz | Fragrance options: citrus vanilla

Best for detangling: Evereden Kids Detangling Shampoo

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 300 reviews on Amazon, as a 2-in-1 — meaning you don’t need to follow it up with a conditioner, according to Evereden.

Key ingredients: glycerin, shea butter, plant proteins (rice, pea, soy) | Size: 1 fl oz, 6.7 fl oz | Fragrance options: fruity

Best for wavy and curly hair: Not Your Mother’s Kids’ Curl Shampoo

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.

Key ingredients: mango seed butter | Size: 8 fl oz | Fragrance options: peach pineapple

How to shop for kid shampoo

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:

Ingredients

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.

• Surfactants: Not all surfactants are bad. When it comes to formulas for children specifically, since their skin and scalp are so sensitive, look for mild surfactants, such as sodium cocoyl isethionate and cocamidopropyl betaine. These agents effectively cleanse the hair and scalp without causing tenderness and irritation, according to LoGerfo. Sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA) is another softer alternative to consider. SLSA comes from more natural sources than its counterpart SLS and it has more gentle cleansing properties, says LoGerfo.
• Plant-based ingredients: Plant-based ingredients like chamomile, calendula and aloe vera have excellent soothing properties. Coconut oil and other plant-based oils are also safe, gentle and effective for children’s hair and scalps.

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.

• One of the major ingredients children should avoid is sulfates. The two common types of sulfates found in shampoos are sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) and sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). These both pose a higher risk of causing dryness, damage and irritation, according to our experts.

Tear-free

“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

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.

Meet our experts

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.

• Dr. Jodi LoGerfo is a Doctor of Nursing Practice and a Family Nurse Practitioner certified in Family Medicine and Dermatology at Orentreich Medical Group in New York City.
• Donna Ottley is the lead stylist at Yellow Submarine Salon, a kid’s hair salon in New York City.
• Dr. Brendan Camp is a double board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York.

• Dr. Marisa Garshick is a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at Cornell.

Why trust NBC Select?

I’m an associate reporter covering 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, I interviewed a doctor and hair stylist about children’s scalp and hair concerns and how to properly care for and cleanse them. I also gathered their recommendations, NBC Select-staff favorites, and highly rated options aligned with expert guidance.

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