The UK Organic Baby Shampoo Brands To Know For A Happy Bath Time

Don’t get in a lather trying to find the best organic baby shampoo. Here are my favourite brands in the UK for an eco-friendly bath time.

I’ve written a lot about eco-friendly shampoo and solid shampoo bars. However, if you have babies or toddlers, then you might be looking for something specifically formulated for their delicate skin.

That’s where organic baby shampoo comes in. However, it’s a bit of a tricky market to navigate. Even in the baby shampoo market, there is a lot of greenwashing going on.

Brands employ clever tricks to make you feel like you’ve made a green purchase, yet in reality, your purchase may be no different to a conventional baby shampoo. Just perhaps with a higher price tag.

The Organic Beauty Product Problem

When brands use the word organic on their products, this means that they contain ingredients that are grown organically. In short, this means the ingredients have been grown without the use of harsh chemicals, such as herbicides and pesticides.

This move is great. However, particularly in the UK, there is currently very little in the way of regulations around beauty product labelling.

This means that there are no regulations around the minimum quantity of organic ingredients your baby shampoo should contain, in order to say that the product is organic.

Any brand or beauty product could technically label its product as natural or organic. This is even if the product contains as little as 1% organic or natural ingredients. So it’s important to be wary of labels.

What To Look For

Whilst it is a minefield, there is some help. There are things to look out for to ensure that your baby shampoo (or any other health or beauty product, for that matter) is the real deal.

Independent COSMOS Organic certification, spearheaded by the Soil Association, for example, is a good one to look out for. This certification guarantees that 95% of all physically farmed ingredients are organic. It also ensures that at least 20% of the total ingredients are organic. Although, do note that for rinse-off products, such as shampoo, at least 10% of the total ingredients must be organic. 

It’s also worth paying attention to fragrance and foaming agents. Even products marketed for babies can contain ingredients that are unnecessarily harsh on sensitive skin.

Strong, synthetic fragrances, for example, can be irritating. Meanwhile, overly bubbly formulas often rely on detergents that strip the skin’s natural oils. A gentle shampoo doesn’t need to foam dramatically to do its job, especially when it’s being used on tiny heads.

The Best Organic Baby Shampoo In The UK

Now let’s wash that greenwash out of our hair. If you’re looking to be a green parent, here are my favourite organic baby shampoo brands that, when it comes to their ingredient labels, aren’t hair-raising:

Green People

Green People’s Organic Babies Baby Wash & Shampoo (£12 for 150 ml) is a scent-free and ultra-gentle certified organic shampoo, bubble bath, and body wash in one. Its gentle ingredients make it suitable even for newborn babies, plus vegan, and cruelty-free – making it kind to animals too.

With 85% certified organic ingredients, this baby shampoo is gentle and non-irritating for daily use. Aloe vera naturally protects delicate skin from dryness and irritation, while the gentle cleansing properties of German Chamomile and Yucca help retain natural skin and scalp oils.

This makes it suitable for even the most sensitive skin types, including those prone to eczema, psoriasis, and dermatitis.

In terms of packaging, this baby shampoo is packaged in plastic. However, the plastic Green People use is derived from recyclable and renewable sugarcane, rather than fossil fuels. Some biodegradable plastics do interfere with the recycling process and should be avoided. However, Green People say that sugarcane-based plastics can be easily recycled at any Local authority-run plastic kerbside recycling scheme.

Whilst it is on the expensive side, I’ve found the shampoo to be very concentrated. As such, a little does go a long way.

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Odylique

Odylique’s Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo (£12 for 200 ml at Ethical Superstore) contains 70.3% certified organic ingredients of natural origin.

In plain English, this includes aloe vera juice, coconut and corn-based cleansers, as well as extra virgin olive oil, and palm oil-free vegetable glycerine. Meanwhile, chamomile and calendula herbs, as well as chamomile and lavandin essential oils, provide a soothing scent that can also help calm any skin irritation.

Suitable for babies over 3 months of age, this extremely gentle and moisturising bath wash and shampoo helps to maintain the natural oil and acid balance of a baby’s skin. Its olive oil content also helps to naturally tackle cradle cap. So, if cradle cap is your main concern, this is the one I’d be most likely to reach for.

As well as being certified organic by the Soil Association, this baby shampoo is also COSMOS Certified Organic. Additionally, it’s also certified cruelty-free and is vegan-friendly and palm oil-free.

Although it does come in a plastic bottle, this is made from recycled plastic. It is also fully recyclable at your kerbside.

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Kokoso

Kokoso’s Gentle Hair and Bodywash (£8.99 for 200 ml at Kokoso) is another good one to check out. It contains 80% certified organic and vegan-friendly ingredients.

Dermatologically tested, paediatrician-approved, and pH-balanced, each bottle is made with organic coconut oil and organic aloe vera to moisturise and nourish your baby’s sensitive skin.

It was awarded Silver in the ‘Free From’ Skincare Awards, so you can be confident it’s free from nasties and kind to sensitive skin, particularly babies with eczema or sensitive skin. It’s also gentle enough to be used on newborns.

You can choose between a fragranced and fragrance-free option, and there are handy refill options available to help you use less plastic.

Overall, I feel it’s a great, everyday option for families trying to balance gentleness with affordability, as well as those wanting to cut down on plastic waste.

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Neal’s Yard

Finally, whilst not entirely organic, Neal’s Yard Baby Wash and Shampoo (£12 for 200ml) does contain a decent percentage of certified organic ingredients – about 60%.

This gentle cleansing wash for skin and hair blends organic lavender and chamomile essential oils with mild, vegetable-based cleansers. These clean the delicate skin and hair of babies without irritation, whilst smelling lovely. Just a little is needed to create a gentle foam, so despite being quite pricey, one bottle can last a long time.

Do note that this shampoo should only be used on newborns weighing at least 3kg / 6lb 10oz.

More Eco-Friendly Baby Resources

As always, I will keep updating this list as I come across any more great brands.

I also think it’s worth pointing out that choosing the “best” baby shampoo doesn’t have to be about perfection. Using what works for your baby, your budget, and your sanity is far more important than ticking every eco box every single time. If these options are too expensive, or don’t work for your baby, there’s plenty of scope to make thoughtful choices in other aspects of life.

I’ve also got lots more sustainable baby resources you might be interested in:

• Try my big guide to reusable nappies – I used cloth nappies on both of my daughters, so it’s the guide I wish I’d had when I started.
• If reusables aren’t for you, or aren’t for you 100% of the time, try my guide to sustainable disposable nappies.
• Try my guide to sustainable baby wipes.
• And check out my eco-friendly baby essentials if you are looking for more eco-friendly baby ideas.