You only want the best for your baby, including hair products. Babies don’t need much on their hair other than shampoo, and it is essential to ensure you use gentle and effective products, especially on those tiny little locks. So, what is the best baby shampoo for curly hair?
The best baby shampoos for curly hair include As I Am Born Curly Shampoo, CARA B Naturally Baby Shampoo and Body Wash, Shea Moisture’s Oat Milk and Rice Water Baby Shampoo, Hello Bello Premium Shampoo & Body Wash, Mixed Chicks Kid’s Quad Pack, and Alaffia Babies and Kids Shampoo and Body Wash.
Shampoo comes into direct contact with babies’ scalps. Their skin is highly sensitive, and their little hairs are delicate. Finding the right products can be confusing, especially for curly babies. I have come across great products in my kids’ curly journey, and I share them in this post.
9 Best Baby Shampoos for Curly Hair
I found some of the best shampoos for curly babies through research and testing. Different hair types and textures would have different requirements, so try to figure out what curly hair your baby has. Then, find a shampoo that works best for their hair.
I share some of my top favorite finds with you in this list below:
1. As I Am Born Curly Shampoo
As I Am Born is a revitalizing shampoo designed for curly babies, providing a gentle and effective scalp refresh. Specifically formulated for babies and children with curly hair types 3 & 4, this tear-free formula cleanses, enhances the sheen, and boosts overall scalp moisture.
After just one wash, you will notice a 10% increase in scalp health, and your child’s hair will be left looking shiny, smooth, and moisturized – perfect for even dry scalps.
2. CARA B Naturally Baby Shampoo and Body Wash
CARA B combines essential vitamins, aloe extract, and soothing chamomile fragrance to give your baby’s hair and skin a luxurious lather. It cleanses thoroughly and leaves both skin and hair feeling soft to the touch. It’s perfect for both bath time and regular hair care routines.
It is also incredibly gentle and can be used from infancy to adulthood. It is safe for everyone in the family. This is the perfect option if your baby has skin issues like eczema, dry scalp, or other sensitivities.
3. Shea Moisture’s Oat Milk and Rice Water Baby Shampoo
This moisturizing shampoo is formulated with a blend of oat milk, rice water, and Fair Trade shea butter to soothe dry hair and scalp while gently cleansing hair. It is fragrance-free and pediatrician-tested. The product is also a 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash, making bathtime easier for you and your baby.
4. Hello Bello Premium Shampoo & Body Wash
This gentle cleansing formula is created with jojoba seed oil and a selection of botanical extracts with essential natural oils. Hello Bello Shampoo is a great shampoo for all hair types. It is fragrance-free and crafted without phthalates, parabens, or artificial scents. It is also free from harsh chemicals such as formaldehyde.
5. Mixed Chicks Kid’s Quad Pack
This is an excellent option if you want a comprehensive hair care package for your baby. It also makes a valuable gift. The set is gentle for babies’ delicate hair and is a tear-free formula. The pack includes 8 oz bottles of Shampoo, Conditioner, Leave-in Conditioner, and Tangle Tamer.
6. Alaffia Babies and Kids Shampoo and Body Wash
Alaffia contains ethically traded unrefined shea butter, virgin coconut oil, calming lemon balm, protective neem leaf, and soothing lavender extracts. It leaves your child’s hair and skin clean, soft, and moisturized.
The product is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, silicones, mineral oil, artificial color, or synthetic fragrance. A fun bonus is that it is cruelty-free too!
7. Shea Moisture Mango and Carrot Kids Shampoo
SheaMoisture kids’ shampoo, specifically designed for children’s fine and delicate hair, leaves your baby feeling clean and refreshed. It is gentle enough, helps to detangle, and works on sensitive skin. The shampoo is also perfect for kids of all ages.
It is crafted with top-notch ingredients to envelope your baby’s curly hair with natural ingredients such as coconut oil, olive oil, and certified organic shea butter to strengthen the hair and guard it against breakage. Carrot, mango, and citrus extracts provide shine and define curls without sulfates.
8. Shea Moisture Baby Wash & Shampoo
Shea Moisture knows that a baby’s skin requires extra special care. Their range of bath and shampoo products is specifically designed to provide the gentlest treatment for your child. It is formulated with soothing frankincense and myrrh.
This baby wash and shampoo is a mild cleanser that replenishes moisture. It ensures safety for sensitive skin, and the formula is free of parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, sulfates, and other potential irritants that can cause allergic reactions in babies’ delicate skin.
9. Johnson & Johnson Baby Curl-Defining, Tear-Free Kids’ Shampoo
Johnson & Johnson products have been carefully crafted and rigorously tested by healthcare professionals to ensure they are gentle on your newborn’s delicate skin. The curl shampoo is formulated for your child’s curls and waves, which require some help with definition. It is paraben, phthalate, sulfate, and dye-free, making it gentle on your baby’s and toddlers’ developing hair.
Do Babies Need Shampoo?
The answer to this is relative. There are many claims online that babies do not need anything other than water to wash their hair in the beginning. Ultimately, this makes sense, but what you decide to do for your baby is a personal choice based on your lifestyle and their hair needs. It’s important to note that an adult shampoo may contain stronger cleansing agents and fragrances that can be harsh on a baby’s sensitive skin and scalp, so baby shampoos are often formulated to be gentler.
Some babies’ hair might require shampoo, especially if your baby has some sensitivities and requires ointments or oils to deal with those conditions. Applied products must be washed off regularly to prevent clogging the hair follicles and causing more allergies and reactions.
Sensitivities also require the scalp to remain clean, and plain water does not always cleanse the scalp and hair thoroughly enough. Check out my posts on how to properly care for your child’s curly hair and some suggestions on more kid-friendly curly hair product routines.
Additionally, shampooing curly hair can be incredibly helpful to detangle and define curls. It can also help soften the hair and keep it healthy so your baby’s hair can grow well. This is especially important as they get a little older into their first year.
Babies with longer hair can also benefit from shampooing. The shampoo helps cleanse the hair, detangles, reduces frizz, and keeps the scalp clean. You can also check out my post on the best baby curly hair products and the ultimate baby curly hair guide.
Babies also generally get pretty messy. They play all over the floor, get food in their hair, and get kissed and touched on their heads often by adults. Shampooing their hair and scalp is essential to remove dirt and germs, as long as you use a baby/kid-friendly, gentle shampoo free of sulfates.
Conclusion
Caring for your baby’s hair can be worrying because you don’t want to mess up their curls or cause harm to their delicate strands, scalp, or their journey to healthy hair. The best shampoo suggestions above are fantastic and can narrow your options to help you make the best decision for your little one!
