While everyone has a unique parenting style, we can all agree on one thing: We want the best for our babies. This includes the products we put on their soft, sensitive skin! Most baby products on the market contain toxins, chemicals, and other fillers that strip skin of natural oils. There are many great organic options out there, but they can quickly drain your bank account. This Homemade Baby Shampoo with Essential Oils is budget-friendly and all-natural. A little goes a long way!
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Drugstore Baby Shampoo: Not Child’s Play!
Drugstore baby shampoos are full of hidden toxins. The sad thing is these chemicals are how the manufacturers fulfill their promises of “extra lather” and “new baby scent.” It’s time to stop letting companies win big at the expense of our little one’s skin! Let’s explore a few of the toxic ingredients in your average baby shampoo.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
Sodium lauryl sulfate is what gives baby products extra suds. Unfortunately, this chemical is harsh on the skin. SLS is mutagenetic, which means it damages DNA. It’s also linked to cancer. (1)
Synthetic Fragrances
Recreating that fresh baby scent doesn’t come cheap! Synthetic fragrances are made with any number of undisclosed ingredients. This means you’ll never know what toxins are hiding in that powdery scented shampoo. To learn more about the dangers of synthetic fragrances, check out this post.
Formaldehyde
Another cancer-linked ingredient, formaldehyde, is used to preserve shampoo. This is one of the most shocking toxins you’ll find in products! Skin absorbs what we put on it, so it’s no surprise that formaldehyde can cause significant skin irritations.
The Easiest DIY You’ll Ever Make
Making Homemade Baby Shampoo with Essential Oils is one of the easiest DIYs out there! If you want to keep it simple, you can use just two ingredients: Castille soap and distilled water in a 1:1 ratio. You could have a fantastic shampoo with just those two things!
But, if you want to make it fun, you have options. You can add ingredients that will fill your tub with bubbles and give your shampoo that fun baby smell we all crave. These additions create a shampoo that lathers even better than drugstore versions.
Ingredients for Safe Baby Shampoo
This shampoo needs just four simple ingredients. I love making this recipe because it is a multi-tasker! You can use it as a body wash or shampoo for any family member. It can be a total life-saver if you run out of adult shampoo! I find I use less of this shampoo, so the bottle lasts a long time. Here’s what you need to make this budget-friendly DIY.
Organic Unscented Castile Soap: Castile soap is vegetable-based and free of toxins. It’s biodegradable, so it’s great for the environment! It’s incredibly moisturizing because it contains coconut and olive oil.
Distilled Water: I recommend using distilled water in all of my recipes, food, or DIY. Tap water contains harmful chemicals that have been linked to obesity, congenital disabilities, and so much more. Our family uses a water filtration system. It tastes excellent and hooks right up to the tap! Plus, you can install it on your own.
Essential Oils: Essential oils are the cherry on top of a great DIY! Lavender is one of the best EOs for skin! It has antibacterial properties and smells amazing. I love using lavender in children’s body care products because it has a calming effect. When paired with chamomile, your child is sure to get their beauty rest! Bonus: Mom gets an aromatherapy session too.
Glycerin: Glycerin is an optional addition, but it adds lots of bubbles to your child’s bath! As parents, we are the magic-makers in our child’s life, and suds are so intriguing to them. Bubbles are an easy way to add that extra touch of love to your little one’s day.
3 Custom Shampoo Ideas
My Homemade Baby Shampoo can also be used as a body wash. You’ll want to customize it to fit your baby’s unique skin. Here are a few options.
Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil is an inexpensive moisturizer. It works to create a protective barrier on the skin! If your little one struggles with eczema, I recommend adding one tablespoon of vitamin E because it helps with inflammation and itching. (2)
Organic Aloe Vera Gel
Aloe vera gel is a great shampoo addition if your little one needs just a little extra moisture. It’s soothing, can help treat bacterial skin infections (3), and has a tremendous cooling effect. I love using products that have aloe vera after a day in the sun! It’s so refreshing. Just one tablespoon will do the trick.
Herbal-Infused Oil
An herbal-infused oil is different than our well-loved essential oils. Essential oils are highly concentrated, while herbal-infused oils contain just a little bit of essential oil and other compounds from the plant. These oils are great for medicinal purposes!
Herbal-infused oils often include heavier oil, such as olive. This makes them highly effective in treating dry skin. If you live in a harsh winter climate, one tablespoon of this ingredient is going to make a massive difference in your baby’s skin!
Homemade Baby Shampoo in 2 Easy Steps
As I said, this DIY is one of the easiest you’ll ever make. It comes together in just two steps.
- ½ cup organic unscented liquid castile soap
- ½ cup purified OR distilled water
- 32 drops essential oils*
- 1 teaspoon organic vegetable glycerin (optional for more bubbles)
- Supplies:
- 8-ounce PET plastic bottle with pump
- Mix the ingredients.
- Store in a bottle. If you add essential oils, it’s best to use a glass container.
- Use as needed.
Using essential oils with children is very similar to using them with adults; however, you should pay more attention to properly dispersing and diluting the essential oils. Here are some EOs I use with my DIYs for the kiddos that are a great place to start.
Here are some safe essential oils for children’s DIYs:
Cedarwood- Great for helping kids feel confident in social settings
Citrus oils (lemon, orange, grapefruit, etc.) See the note about photosensitization below.
German chamomile- Can help little ones fall asleep quickly
Lavender- The ultimate calming oil, very soothing to the skin
Roman chamomile- Great for regulating sleep patterns
Rosemary- Helps kids focus and is excellent at repelling lice
Some of my favorite EO blend variations to use with the body wash DIY include:
Joyful Blend – equal parts orange and vanilla absolute, CO2 or oleoresin (My number one favorite blend for kids)
Awesome Body – equal parts grapefruit, lemon, lime, orange, and peppermint
Gardener’s Blend- equal parts peppermint and rosemary
Herb Garden Relaxation – equal parts lavender and peppermint
Sweet Sleep – equal parts lavender, Roman chamomile, and vetiver (another favorite for kids; use after a nighttime bath)
Respiratory Support – equal parts eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint, Roman chamomile
Whether I’m creating DIYs for kids or adults, I like to switch up the oils each time I make a new batch. This way, I’m not using the same oils. Keeping your oil combinations fresh maximizes the benefits and helps prevent sensitization.
Step One: Mix the Shampoo
In a small bowl, mix the liquid castile soap, water, essential oils, glycerin, aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, and herbal infused oil (if using).
Step Two: Store for Easy Dispensing
Store your shampoo in a glass bottle with a pump. Essential oils can break down plastic, and you don’t want that on a baby’s skin! I suggest using a dark-colored jar if possible. Darker-colored glass gives the oils automatic protection from light.
Pro-tip: Don’t underestimate the power of natural ingredients! My storage container always overflows with bubbles.
