The 10 Best Hypoallergenic Body Washes 2021
The first step in every skin care routine is washing your body, and selecting a hypoallergenic body wash is a great way to start the process off right. Hypoallergenic products contain fewer skin irritants and are less likely to cause dry skin, acne, allergic reactions, and flare-ups.
We reviewed the best hypoallergenic body washes that everyone can enjoy whether you have sensitive skin or not. The body washes on our list contain little to no preservatives and potentially irritating ingredients. Keep reading, as our guide will help you to determine which body washes will work with your skin, not against it.
How Dry Is Too Dry When To Seek Advice
Babies, particularly newborns, are quite prone to rashes. Most are harmless and will resolve naturally, and not all rashes will turn out to be eczema. However you should always seek the advice of a health professional. Your general practitioner can diagnose eczema, and provide you with an eczema management plan. Prescribed topical steroids play an important part in the management of eczema. More severe cases can treated with wet dressings or bleach baths. Ideally treatment should start treatment before it becomes this severe, which will save your child a lot of suffering and scratching. If we can offer parents a little hope we believe that with proper ongoing management, your childs eczema can be cleared.
How Does It Smell
You want your body wash to leave your skin smelling fresh and clean. However, chemical fragrances can do your skin more harm than good. When shopping for a hypoallergenic body wash, look for fragrance-free options or go with one that is naturally scented using essential oils.
Now, lets find out which hypoallergenic body washes made our list in 2021. If youve got any more questions or concerns, check out our full guide for more information.
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Best Baby: Cerave Baby Wash & Shampoo
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2-in-1 baby shampoo and body wash
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Tear-free for sensitive eyes
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Vitamin-formulated to protect the skin barrier
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Doesnt lather well
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Online customers report inconsistencies in-person purchase preferred
CeraVes Baby Wash & Shampoo maintains CeraVes standard of clean, calm ingredients that are safe enough to use for babies. This tear-free formula includes CeraVes noteworthy three essential ceramides for not only calming the skin but restoring its protective barrier for optimal health and sustainability. Thanks to enriching vitamins and no nasties , CeraVe Baby leaves skin feeling soft and moisturized.
This product is recommended by the National Eczema Association.
Key Ingredients: Ceramides and vitamin E | How to Use: Wet your babys hair and skin, apply soap where needed, rinse, and dry.
Bathing Your Little One
Because eczema indicates a weakened skin barrier, bathing baby can be helpful to wash away potential irritants. Remember though, baths should only last 5-10 minutes so that babys skin stays supple. Practice touch supervision by first gathering your supplies so theyre all within arms reach, and then follow the simple steps below for how to bathe your baby without flaring up their eczema.
Step 1: Draw Bath
Fill the basin or tub with two inches of lukewarm water, avoiding the addition of any bubble bath products. Undress baby and place her immediately in the tub to keep her warm.
Step 2: Cleanse
No scrub-a-dub-dub here! Instead, youll want to use a soft, non-irritating cloth to gently massage babys skin. For stinky or dirty spots, use a mild, fragrance-free cleanser such as the AVEENO® Baby Cleansing Therapy Moisturizing Wash. When done, give baby a moment or two to simply splash and play.
Step 3: Pat Dry
Its essential that babys skin be well dried after their bath but avoid any harsh rubbing. Instead, gently pat dry with a warm towel.
Step 4: Immediately Moisturize
While babys skin is still slightly damp within three minutes after bathing – lather on a thick moisturizer or ointment to help bolster the skins barrier and lock in moisture. Your childs doctor may have recommended topical prescription medicines that should be used at this time, but if not, creams, ointments, or balms formulated with colloidal oatmeal are suitable for babys eczema.
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Smear On Your Baby Eczema Cream
When your baby is out of the bath, pat the skin dry with a soft cotton towel and, within minutes, apply a thick colloidal oatmeal-based baby eczema cream or petroleum jelly to damp skin. Baby Dove Eczema Care Soothing Cream is a great over the counter choice. This thick, soothing skin protectant provides a 24-hour moisture barrier for rough and dry skin. Its patented PPAR technology restores the skin barrier and moisturizes from within, helping babyâs delicate skin become stronger. You can dress your baby in soft cotton for additional comfort, too.
The Best Baby Soaps For Eczema:
Also Check: Vitamin E Oil For Eczema
What Are The Best Products Parents Should Use On A Child With Eczema’s Skin
According to Dr. Renee Howard, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist associate clinical professor of dermatology, University of California, San Francisco recommends using unscented lotions, soaps and shampoos, diaper creams and sunscreens with zinc, and non-lathering cleansers. Scented skincare products are for the parents benefit, not the babys, and arent worth the risk, according to Dr. Howard.
How To Perform Allergy Patch Testing
Before applying a new skincare product, its important to conduct an allergy test particularly if you have ultra-sensitive skin. This is especially crucial if you suffer from severe eczema or psoriasis, as some body washes may cause your skin to flare up.
You can conduct a skin patch test from the comfort of your own home by doing the following.
Read Also: Can Eczema Turn Into Psoriasis
Choosing The Best Baby Shampoo
Whether your baby is born bald or with a full head of hair, its important to keep his scalp clean with a gentle, moisturizing shampoo. Your go-to shampoo might give you luscious locks, but the chemicals in it could be too harsh on your babys skin.
Baby shampoos contain milder ingredients than those found in adult shampoos, so they wont irritate a babys eyes and skin, says , M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.
Ideally, you should look for formulas that contain natural, plant-based ingredients, says Dr. Jaliman, including:
- Fruit oils, such as raspberry and avocado oil
- Chamomile extract
- Sunflower seed oil
Steer clear of shampoos made with harsh chemicals that could irritate your babys skin. These include:
- Parabens, or chemicals that are used as preservatives in cosmetics
- Phthalates, or chemicals found in plastic
- Dyes
- Sulfates, specifically sodium lauryl sulfate , which is commonly found in household cleansers
- Added fragrances or perfumes, which can cause irritation or trigger an allergic reaction
You should also look for a product thats tear-free and formulated for sensitive skin.
Keep in mind, however, that just because an ingredient is natural doesnt mean it cant cause a skin reaction in a baby, says Dr. Jaliman. If you think that your baby may be allergic to a particular ingredient, call your pediatrician.
Alternatives To Body Washes
Pine Tar Soap
Another great body wash for eczema is this Pine Tar Soap that is an excellent treatment for eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea. Not only is pine tar known for being wound healing with its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties, but both coal tar and pine tar have been shown to slow down the rapid growth of skin cells and restore the skins appearance. It is also great at reducing inflammation, itching and scaling for psoriasis.
Similarly to the Emily Skin Soothers, this Pine Tar is GMO free. It is also made with the highest grade kiln burned pine tar, does not contain creosote and handcrafted in the USA.
Like other soaps, make sure to use it with lukewarm water, so that your skin can really benefit from the soaps rich ingredients.
Emily Skin Soothers Bar Soap For Eczema
For those that are not too fond of a liquid body wash, make sure to check out the Emily Skin Sootherss bar soap equivalent to the body wash above, Emilys Bar Soap for Eczema. This soap is perfect for cleaning in the shower or hand washing.
Similarly to the body wash, theres no added color or fragrance, as well as no parabens or harmful ingredients.
Curious to learn more about gentle cleansing options, read our post What Is The Best Eczema Soap?
Looking for more information about eczema, check out our complete list of our most informational posts in Start Here for Eczema Relief.
What body washes do you use for your eczema? Share with us in the comments section below!
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Aquaphor Baby Wash And Shampoo
- Aquaphor Baby Wash and Shampoo is a 2 in 1 solution formulated for the sweet moments of baby bath…
- Extra mild tear-free formula is clinically proven to be gentle on babys skin and scalp
- Formulated with Chamomile essence and Provitamin B5 to soothe and cleanse babys skin and hair…
If you are looking for an effective baby eczema wash and shampoo, get one from Aquaphor. For the last couple of years, this pediatrician recommended brand has been a lifesaver for parents when it comes to treating the babys skin rashes, irritations, or dry skin issues. So its no surprise that this baby wash is one of the best-rated baby eczema wash and shampoo.
Aquaphor Baby Body Wash Set offers a 2-in-1 solution for a babys delicate skin. For new parents, it is more economical than buying the two items separately. Its mild formula contains chamomile essence and provitamin B5 for the soft and gentle cleansing of baby skin and scalp. Also, the formula is fragrance and tear-free, so you dont have to worry about getting it in your babys eyes. After cleansing, it leaves a soft, soothing feel on your babys skin.
Little babies love bubble baths. The gentle formula with a rich lather spreads easily and creates plenty of bubbles. Overall, this is a great product for babies with rashes, eczema, and dry skin.
Why parents love it
Why parents love it
Pros:
- Free of fragrance and dyes
- Free of harmful chemical ingredients
- It comes from a pediatrician recommended brand
Cons:
Puracy Natural Body Wash
If you have eczemas or youre extremely prone to an outbreak, then a body wash riddled with chemicals is the last thing you need.
So, what makes this product perfect for eczema treatment is the fact that it doesnt have any sulfates, parabens, triclosan or any other harsh chemicals.
The formula for this body wash was created by doctors for people with various skin conditions. The foam is coconut-based, which means that the preservatives are all natural, offering a deep moisturizing effect.
The sea salt and citrus mix provides a deep cleansing effect, making your skin feel deeply hydrated and refreshed. You will no longer feel the need of using a moisturizer after you come out of the shower.
RestoraDerm is perfect for cleansing the skin plagued by eczema for the following reasons:
- Its highly moisturizing
- Its free of artificial fragrances
- Its based on ceramides technology to repair the skin
- It provides immediate relief from itchy skin
- Its free of parabens, nut oil, and steroids
- Its packed with nourishing oils
Basically, Cetaphils body wash has everything you need in an anti-eczema body wash. Its recommended for daily use, and it will not dry out the skin. It was designed to hydrate and soothe it, providing relief that is long-lasting.
Its one of the very few body washes that use the ceramides technology, which is a great aid in treating eczemas.
The formula is safe enough to be used on babies and adults alike, being of great help when other products fail to deliver.
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How We Made Our Picks For The Best Baby Shampoos And Washes
These shampoos and washes made the cut based on whether they followed the guidelines above. Then, we analyzed the options based on popularity, innovation, design, quality, value and ease of use. We also sought out feedback from pediatricians, and What to Expect staff and contributors road-tested baby shampoos and washes at home. And, of course, we consulted real parents. We checked the reviews of parents in the What to Expect community for their feedback on the baby shampoos and washes they love the most.
Here are our favorite shampoos, washes and two-in-one products to keep baby fresh and clean.
See registry advice and a custom baby gear checklist
Bria Organics Relief Repair Replenish Baby Shampoo & Body Wash
This award-winning baby body wash for eczema is incredibly gentle on your baby’s sensitive skin.
It’s made with minimal ingredients and is fragrance-free for a formula that’s suitable for sensitive, allergy, eczema and psoriasis-prone skin. Works to soften, moisturise, comfort and heal for a happy baby.
Read Also: Is Salicylic Acid Good For Eczema
Things To Consider After Bathtime
Regardless of the cleanser you choose, there are some things to keep in mind after bathtime. You may find the best baby wash for eczema but if you dont properly care for the skin after a bath, it wont matter. In fact, you may be making the condition worse! Here are three things you should always do after bathtime:
1. Soak and Seal
The National Eczema Association recommends always following bathtime with the soak and seal method:
- After bathing, pat the skin lightly with a towel leaving it slightly damp .
- Apply prescription topical medication to the affected areas of skin as directed .
- Within three minutes, liberally apply a moisturizer all over the body. Its important to apply the moisturizer within three minutes or the skin may become even drier.
2. Choose the Right Moisturizer
Ideally, choose a moisturizer that is high in oil content. Products that are high in oil content, such as petroleum jelly and mineral oil, are particularly good for treating eczema. They dont burn when theyre applied to sensitive skin, which is definitely a concern with some creams and lotions.
If your little one doesnt like the feel of an ointment, your best alternative is a cream. Creams are second to ointments in the amount of oil they contain, and they do a good job of sealing in moisture. Because they contain less oil, they are not as greasy to the touch.
3. Opt for Soft, Breathable Clothing or Pajamas
What Happens If Dove Soothing Wash Eczema Care Is Out Of Stock And I Need To Give Specific Instructions
- Find Best Match: By default, your shopper will use their best judgement to pick a replacement for your item.
- Pick Specific Replacement: You can pick a specific alternative for the shopper to purchase if your first choice is out-of-stock.
- Dont Replace: For items youd rather not replace, choose Dont replace to get a refund if the item is out of stock.
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Best For Sensitive Skin: Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Gentle Bath Wash & Shampoo With Natural Oat Extract
The Aveeno Bath Wash & Shampoo is gentle enough to be used every day on your infant or toddler and perfect for reactive skin. Recommended by pediatricians, it has a light fresh fragrance and hypoallergenic properties that leave your little ones skin cleansed and fresh without drying it out.
With its presence of oat extract to soothe irritation, its no surprise fans of this product rave that it has helped treat various rashes and kept eczema away.
Which Ingredients To Avoid When Buying Soap For Eczema
It is essential to avoid the ingredients that can dry out and irritate a babys skin further. Stay away from glycolic and salicylic acids since they can just complicate the skin problem. Also, avoid fragrances and preservatives alongside other toxic chemicals. The best precaution is to consult your pediatric expert.
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