Babies are very delicate, especially their skin, thereby they require gentle care and protection at all times. You might think twice before using any product on your little one because not all products are infant-friendly. You need the right kind of product that will protect and nourish the skin; a product that’s free of harsh chemicals and is specially formulated for babies.
Proper skincare routine and gentle bathing are essential for maintaining your baby’s skin health. A good baby shampoo provides your little one with all the necessary protection and nourishment. As per a study, the use of 95% natural baby shampoo or body wash on healthy infants aged 1 to 36 months showed good tolerance, improved skin hydration and no major adverse effects.
Newborn Baby Bath Tips
Before we go into tips on how to choose the best baby shampoo for your little one, here are some useful information on bathing your newborn babies, especially if you’re a first-time mums.First of all, did you know that you don’t need to to bathe your newborn every day?
Newborns don’t need to bathe often because they barely get sweaty or dirty. Doctors would generally recommend two to three bath times a week as bathing more frequently may dry up the baby’s skin.
In between your baby’s baths, it is sufficient to just spot-clean the areas that usually get sweaty, dirty or oily, such as behind the ears, in the folds of the neck and thighs, the groin’s creases and around the diaper area. You can do this using a warm, damp sponge, washcloth or facial cotton. If your baby tends to sweat a lot (hello tropical weather!), then wiping her head with soapy water (using a mild baby shampoo) can help freshen her up.
How To Choose the Best Baby Shampoo
A baby’s skin is much more sensitive compared to ours, which means they are more prone to experience skin sensitivities like eczema and rashes, from chemical ingredients. That is why it is very important to know the ingredients in your baby’s skincare products.
Every baby’s skin is different, so there is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to baby skincare products. However, there are some general rules that you can follow when choosing a baby shampoo for your precious little one, such as:
- Chemicals and harmful ingredients - They make a much safer option for your baby.
- Tear-free formula - great to avoid irritating your baby’s eyes.
- Hypoallergenic - especially important for babies with eczema-prone, dry, and sensitive skin.
- Free from harsh chemicals - ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, dyes, sulfates and alcohol (labelled as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol) can be quite harsh on baby’s skin, and are known to cause dryness, irritations, and breakouts.
- Added fragrance - synthetic fragrance may cause allergic reactions, so if you’d like to get a scented baby shampoo, go for one that is naturally (and mildly) scented.
- Natural, plant-based with fruit or seed oils - such as raspberry and avocado oil, chamomile extract and sunflower seed oil. The ingredients are anti-inflammatory and also promote healthy scalp/skin.
- Paed-recommended - whenever you’re spoilt for choice, just opt for a baby shampoo that is paed-recommended, as they’re most definitely safe, gentle and good for your baby.
Best Baby Shampoo in Singapore
Because of the vast variety of infant skincare products, choosing the best baby shampoo and body wash for your tiny tot can overwhelm you. So how do you choose the best one for your baby? After going through a lot of products in the market, we’ve shortlisted 5 of the best baby shampoos in Singapore, based on these categories:
Best organic baby shampoo
Why It’s Great
This plant-based, fully organic baby shampoo and body wash is amazing for your baby’s hair and skin. It gently cleanses the skin without drying and also provides optimum moisturisation for silky smooth skin. It is also well-known for being sensitive-skin friendly, and especially loved for its effectiveness in treating cradle cap, as well as dry and itchy scalp. Great for adults too!
Features We Love
USP:
- Fluffy, light, calming and non-drying
- Calendula extracts and aloe vera for a soothing effect
- Sustainably grown, organic ingredients
Safety:
- Suitable for normal/sensitive skin, for infants, kids and adults
- Hypoallergenic, gentle and calming fragrance
- Free of harsh chemicals and petroleum contaminants
- USDA certified, and lab tested
Best Budget-friendly Shampoo
Why it’s Great
There’s nothing better than a mild, paediatrician-tested, hypoallergenic baby shampoo that leaves your baby’s scalp and hair healthy and beautiful. Made without harmful chemicals, it is as safe for your little one’s sparkling eyes as pure water. And because it's formulated to be tear-free for babies, Johnson’s Baby gives you one more reason to love the brand.
Features We Love
USP:
- Formulated with a No-More-Tear formula
- As mild and safe as pure water
Safety:
- Suitable for babies and adults
- Gentle on the skin and eyes
- Paediatrician-tested and hypoallergenic
- Free of sulphates, parabens, dyes and phthalates
Get your Johnson’s Baby Shampoo on Shopee!
Best Moisturising Shampoo
Why it’s Great
If you’re looking for a moisturising, daily use baby shampoo and body wash, Aveeno Baby Wash & Shampoo is a great pick. It gently cleanses your precious baby’s hair and body with its soothing natural oat extract and chemical-free ingredients. Watch your tot smile with glee as the mild fragrance soothes his/her senses and leaves the skin feeling fresh as dew.
Features We Love
USP:
- Tear-free
- Soothing natural oat extract for dryness- and irritation-free skin nourishment/moisturisation
Safety:
- Paediatrician-recommended
- Lightly scented, hypoallergenic and free of soap, parabens, steroids, phthalates and dyes
- Suitable for normal/sensitive skin for daily use
Best for Eczema
Why it’s Great
Try this reasonably-priced, mild and fragrance-free body wash and baby shampoo that cleanses your baby’s skin gently and leaves it moisturised for up to 24 hours. Its specially formulated ingredients, tear-free feature and capability to maintain/restore the natural skin barrier definitely makes it an excellent choice.
Features We Love
USP:
- 3 vital ceramides for maintaining the skin’s natural barrier
- Contains vitamins and hyaluronic acid for effective moisturisation
- Tear-free, non-irritating and suitable for normal/sensitive skin
- Not tested on animals
Safety:
- Accepted by National Eczema Association (NEA), developed with dermatologists
- Free of fragrances, phthalates, parabens, dyes, sulphates and gluten
- Gentle and hypoallergenic
Start your baby’s skin care regimen today!
Best for Sensitive Skin
Why it’s Great
Delicate skin and hair don’t care! Formulated with panthenol and glycerine, this tear-free baby shampoo/body wash works wonders for your baby’s hair and skin. Say goodbye to dry skin and irritation as this product leaves your tot’s skin and hair nourished, with a soft, pleasant fragrance.
Features We Love
USP:
- Panthenol and glycerin content offer dryness-free nourishment
- Tear-free
Safety:
- Gentle, hypoallergenic, pH balanced and mildly scented
- Free of soap, parabens, animal-origin ingredients and mineral oils
- Suitable for newborn and babies’ skin
- Paediatrician-recommended, dermatologically tested
Price Comparison
Here's a price comparison of the best baby shampoo brands in Singapore, for your quick reference:
Editor's Note: Each item and price is up to date at the time of publication. However, an item may be sold out or the price may be different at a later date.
Make Bathtime Fun and Stress-Free
Bathtime is really playtime for most babies so it can be difficult to get them out of their tub.! Meanwhile, there are babies who are afraid of water, and may need some coaxing when it’s time for a bath. However, we still think that you should make every bathtime fun and stimulating for your little one! Here are some ideas on how you can turn bathtime into playtime:
A baby bathtub with cute prints, unique shapes and textures can help make bathing a joy for your baby. There are various unique designs available in the market today, but remember to choose wisely. Choose a bathtub that has good safety features and be aware of the safety precautions when bathing your baby in a tub.
Got a fussy baby? Bring out the rubber duckies! In fact, there are so many bath toys in the market today that you can choose based on your baby’s interests. Try rotating the toys so your baby will have something to look forward to during bathtime.
Browse through this list of Singapore’s best baby shampoo and body washes, carefully researched and recommended for your baby’s delicate skin. Find your perfect product from this list and kick-start your tiny tot’s wonderful skincare regimen right away.
Rotate bath toys with bath books! Bath books are waterproof and make a great addition into your baby’s bathtime activity. Let your baby fiddle with the bath book while you shampoo her hair. Mission accomplished, for sure!
Who doesn’t love a bubble bath? Babies and kids love watching bubbles float in the air, so get different wand shapes and have fun! Teach your baby to pop the bubbles using her fingers and when she gets bigger, show her how to blow her own bubbles.
If your baby is really afraid of water, jump into the tub with her. Skin-to-skin contact is truly beneficial for babies as it creates bonding and also makes your baby feel more secure. Just be extra careful when you’re getting out of the tub - thoroughly clean the soap residue and make sure you have anti-slip mats inside and outside of your bathtub.
