Our readers' support allows us to test more products while remaining ad-free. If you make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no cost to you. We do not accept money for editorial reviews and are not influenced by monetary considerations. Learn more.
Bathing a baby is more than just a daily routine; it’s a special bonding experience between caregivers and their little ones. With so many baby washes available on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. As a parent myself, I understand how critical it is to use products that are safe and free from harsh chemicals. That’s why I’ve dedicated over six years to testing and reviewing baby washes, focusing on fragrance-free options that minimize the risk of irritation and allergies.
Why choose fragrance-free? Babies’ sensitive skin can be easily irritated by synthetic fragrances and harsh chemicals. Opting for a fragrance-free baby wash ensures a gentler, safer bath time while reducing the likelihood of skin reactions.
In this article, I’ll help you choose the best option, ensuring that your baby’s bath time is not only nurturing but also free from any unnecessary irritants.
Why Use Fragrance-Free Baby Washes?
Studies show that exposure to fragrance can be harmful and cause unwanted reactions such as rashes and skin irritation. Some of the worst fragrance chemicals have even been associated with cancer. So, there’s good reason to avoid fragrances and perfumes.
And since babies and children have more sensitive and vulnerable skin than adults, it’s even more important to use a baby wash that is free of harsh chemicals and unnecessary fragrances.
That’s why I always recommend choosing products without fragrance — especially for a baby’s delicate skin.
Not All Fragrance-Free Baby Washes Are Equal
Truly fragrance-free products can be surprisingly hard to come by. Checking labels for words like fragrance-free, unscented, or hypoallergenic isn’t enough because there is no federal standard or definition governing the use of these terms in the United States. This means that a product can contain fragrances and scents even though it’s labeled “fragrance-free” and “great for sensitive skin”.
When you see the words fragrance or scent or perfume on a product label, you might assume it’s just one ingredient, but did you know that fragrances are actually a combination of chemicals, and that there are over 4,000 different fragrance chemicals currently used in products today? For example, a single scented skincare product can contain a cocktail of anywhere between 50 to 300 chemicals.
There are many baby washes and shampoos on the market targeted toward babies and their sensitive skin. While labeled “fragrance-free” or “unscented”, many of them still contain extracts or natural oils that the manufacturers believe are better than synthetic fragrances (remember how the FDA doesn’t regulate these terms). A good example is the popular babyganics baby shampoo and wash, which is marketed as “fragrance-free” but still contains various fruit and flower extracts.
Unfortunately, the truth of the matter is that fruit extracts and essential oils can be too harsh for babies’ sensitive skin, potentially causing allergic reactions.
So even when a brand claims that a baby wash is fragrance-free, I recommend you always read the list of ingredients carefully to ensure it is completely fragrance-free.
My List of the Best Fragrance-Free Baby Washes in 2025
I have evaluated fragrance-free baby washes on the market to find the very best. I base my assessment on their ability to wash babies ably without using any harmful ingredients, including fragrances, as well as other unnecessary and potentially detrimental content.
My Pick: Vanicream Fragrance-Free Gentle Wash For Baby
My all-time favorite fragrance-free baby wash is this gentle wash from Vanicream, which, in my opinion, is one of the best skincare brands for fragrance-free products. This wash is pediatrician and dermatologist created and tested.
Like all of Vanicream’s products, it’s completely fragrance-free and free from the harmful and harsh irritants found in many other products (no fragrances, masking fragrances, lanolin, dyes, parabens, or formaldehyde releases).
Aquaphor Fragrance-Free Baby Wash and Shampoo
Next on my list of the best fragrance-free baby washes is this Wash and Shampoo from Aquaphor. It is a versatile 2-in-1 solution specially designed for a baby’s sensitive skin and scalp. This pediatrician-recommended wash is free from parabens, dyes, and fragrances.
The fragrance-free baby wash is formulated with chamomile essence and pro-vitamin B5 to soothe and cleanse your baby’s skin and hair without irritating or drying out the skin.
Not only is it great for sensitive baby skin, but it’s also very gentle and cleanses with a light lather. That’s why I personally think Aquaphor’s fragrance-free Wash & Shampoo is one of the best baby washes on the market.
CeraVe Fragrance-Free Baby Wash & Shampoo
CeraVe is another great budget-friendly drugstore favorite of ours. CeraVe’s Baby Wash & Shampoo is formulated without fragrance, dyes, parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. It’s even been accepted by the National Eczema Association, so you can be sure it’s suitable for sensitive skin.
This gentle, soap-free, and tear-free wash is enhanced with three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to leave the skin feeling soft and nourished. My kids love CeraVe’s Baby Wash & Shampoo and we all think it’s one of the very best fragrance-free baby washes.
Eucerin Fragrance-Free Baby Wash & Shampoo
This Eucerin fragrance-free baby wash and shampoo is a versatile 2-in-1 formula that can be used as a gentle cleanser and shampoo, not to mention that it is tear-free.
The baby wash is free of soap, fragrances, dyes, and drying alcohols and is instead enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5 and natural Shea Butter to help retain moisture. For those reasons, Eucerin Fragrance-Free Baby Wash & Shampoo is both pediatrician and dermatologist-recommended and an excellent choice for babies’ sensitive skin.
Eucerin Fragrance-Free Baby Wash & Shampoo is another fantastic choice that I wholly recommend, and that’s why it concludes my list of the best fragrance-free baby washes in 2025.
More tips and recommendations for the best fragrance-free products for babies
If you have more time on your hands, then I have plenty of guides and reviews to introduce you to the best fragrance-free products on the market:
Learn more about:
