Health
The Future of Men’s Mental Health
Part 2—Mental Health Crises Are Putting Everyone At Risk
This is the second part of a multi-part series on “The Future of Men’s Mental Health.” I have been concerned about men’s mental health since I was five years old and my mid-life father took an overdose of sleeping pills after he had become increasingly depressed when he couldn’t support his family doing what he loved. In Part 1 of this series, “Men and Mental Health, What Are We Missing?”, I detailed recent research showing the problems that have been neglected up until now.
In a previous series of articles, “Healer Heal Thyself: Why Health Care Professionals Are Becoming Stressed, Depressed, and Suicidal,” I describe the challenging realities facing health-care professionals as well as those who seek them out for health support and healing. In Part 1, I noted:
“Health care workers compared with non-healthcare workers have greater risks for mental health problems and long-term work absences due to mental disorders, and are at increased risk of suicide, compared with workers in other fields.”
“Our results extend earlier research from outside the United States that health care workers compared with non-healthcare workers have greater risks for mental health problems and long-term work absences due to mental disorders,” said Mark Olfson, MD, MPH, professor of Epidemiology at Columbia Public Health and professor of Psychiatry, Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. “The importance of increased suicide risk of health care support workers is underscored by their growth from nearly 4 million in 2008 to 6.6 million in 2021.”
Pamela Wible, M.D., is a family physician, author, and expert in physician suicide prevention. In her book, Physician Suicide Letters Answered, she says, “I’ve been a doctor for twenty years. I’ve not lost a single patient to suicide. I’ve lost only colleagues, friends, lovers–ALL male physicians–to suicide.”
Males are not the only ones who die by suicide, but we are much more likely to die. Dr. Wible details the reasons that so many doctors and other healthcare professionals die by suicide including the following:
- Doctoring is more than a job; it’s a calling, an identity.
- With so much need, we often put the needs of others ahead of our own.
- Most practitioners become burned out, overworked, or exhausted.
- Workaholics are admired in medicine and other healthcare professions.
- Caring for sick people can make us sick if we don’t take care of ourselves.
- Seeing too much pain and not enough joy is unhealthy.
- We don’t take very good care of themselves or each other.
- We don’t acknowledge the reality that we are at high risk of overwork, overwhelm, breakdown, and self-harm.
These issues are not only prevalent in males, but there are sex differences that we need to understand and address. According to Marianne J. Legato, MD, Founder of the Partnership for Gender Specific Medicine,
“Until now, we’ve acted as though men and women were essentially identical except for the differences in their reproductive function. In fact, information we’ve been gathering over the past ten years tells us that this is anything but true, and that everywhere we look, the two sexes are startingly and unexpectedly different not only in their normal function but in the ways they experience illness.”
In Part 2 of the series, I talk about the future of gender-specific healthcare and describe my interview with Dr. Legato, who told me,
“The premature death of men is the most important—and neglected—health issue of our time.”
I also described my interview with Richard V. Reeves, author of, Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It and founder of American Institute for Boys and Men (AIBM). Reeves says,
“It became clear to me that the problems of boys and men are structural in nature, rather than individual; but are rarely treated as such. The problem with men is typically framed as a problem of men. It is men who must be fixed, one man or boy at a time. This individualist approach is wrong.”
In Part 3, I discuss the unique times we are living in today where rapid change of modern life have created a unique set of mental health problems that must be solved on a systemic as well as a personal level. The futurist, Alvin Toffler called the problem Future Shock and said,
“It will not be found in Index Medicus or in any listing of psychological abnormalities. Yet, unless intelligent steps are taken to combat it, millions of human beings will find themselves increasingly disoriented, progressively incompetent to deal rationally with their environments. The malaise, mass neurosis, irrationality, and free-floating violence already apparent in contemporary life are merely a foretaste of what may lie ahead unless we come to understand and treat this disease.”
Toffler notes that Future Shock results when societies are faced with too much change in too short a time. Not only are we being overwhelmed with the rate of change in our lives, but also the overwhelming complexity of our social systems that can lead to collapse of entire civilizations. Rebecca C. Costa describes the effects of complexity in her groundbreaking book, The Watchman’s Rattle: A Radical New Theory of Collapse. The result is a critical increase in fear and anxiety, which impacts everyone.
In his book, Anxious: Using The Brain to Understand and Treat Fear and Anxiety, Joseph LeDoux, one of the world’s leading mental health experts says,
“Collectively fear and anxiety disorders are the most prevalent of all psychiatric problems in the United States, affecting about twenty percent of the population with an associated economic cost estimated to exceed $40 billion annually.”
Dr. Wendy Suzuki is a professor of neural science and psychology at the Center for Neural Science at New York University, says,
“We live in an age of anxiety. Like an omnipresent, noxious odor we’ve grown used to, anxiety has become a constant condition, a fact of life on this planet. From global pandemics to crashing economies, to intense, daily family challenges, we have plenty of justifiable reasons to feel anxious.”
The effects of all these changes are causing social and political upheavals. On April 7, 2024, The Morning Show on CBS aired a segment on the new movie, “Civil War” which follows a team of journalists who travel across the United States during a rapidly escalating Second American Civil War, that has engulfed the entire nation. It offers an unflinching look at a nation divided and violent, not in the 1860s, but today. The movie is a warning about potential things to come and like all wars, males are the main combatants.
Bringing Healers and Health-Seekers Together in Community
It is becoming increasingly clear that the separation between “healers” and “those seeking help” is an artificial divide. We are all in need of help and support in addressing mental health issues and we are all able to learn to help ourselves and others. I believe it is time to bring healers and seekers together. In a recent article, “The Future of Mental Health: Bringing Together Health Seekers and Providers,” I noted the following:
“We are living in crazy times, where the whole world seems angry, anxious, stressed, and depressed and things are getting worse. In 2018 the American Psychological Association surveyed a thousand U.S. adults about their sources and levels of anxiety. The APA found that 39% of Americans reported being more anxious than they were in 2017, and an equal amount (39%) had the same level of anxiety as the previous year. That’s nearly 80% of the population experiencing anxiety.
What are people most concerned about? The APA survey reported that:
- 68% worried about health and safety.
- 67% reported finances as their source of anxiety.
- 56% were stressed about our political system and elections.
The APA also found that 63% of Americans felt that the future of the nation was a large source of stress. 59% checked the box that “the United States is at the lowest point they can remember in history.”
Men in the United States die by suicide, on average, at a rate four times higher than women. But the suicide rate for men is even higher in older age groups.
Clearly with statistics like these, we can no longer view “mental illness” as simply a problem of individuals. We are experiencing a problem of whole systems collapsing and we need to develop new systems to bring about repair. My colleague, Margaret J. Wheatley, author of the book, Who Do We Choose to Be? Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership says,
“Our task is to create Islands of Sanity, both internally and within our sphere of influence, where sanity prevails, where people can recall and practice the best human qualities of generosity, caring, creativity, and community.”
It seems both appropriate and timely that we create a health community focused on men’s mental health as an “island of sanity” that can offer support and services to heal men, as well as our families, communities, and the world.
We need a new approach for addressing men’s mental health issues. In the next parts of this series, I will address the important topic of depression and anxiety. I will examine the differences between the ways males express their dis-ease and wounds verses the way females do so. If you’d like to read more articles like these, please visit me at MenAlive.com and receive our free newsletter with new articles and tools you can use to improve your mental, emotional, and relational health.
May 8, 2024 — Want to sleep better and longer? Ditch the meat. At least that’s what some experts are saying.
Vegans and vegetarians sleep around 30 more minutes per night than average, and up to 90% of them report good or excellent sleep quality, according to a recent survey published by the Sleep Foundation.
“Poor sleep leads to poor food choices,” according to Abhinav Singh, MD, medical director of the Indiana Sleep Center and medical advisor for the Sleep Foundation. “That is why they are called comfort foods — because nobody who’s tired and sleep-deprived is going to reach for a salad.”
Speaking of salad, people who follow a raw vegan diet fared the best. The paleo or “caveman diet” — which centers around meat, fish, fruits, and vegetables — came in second place, followed by kosher and a standard vegan diet, respectively. All these groups had better sleep than those who follow no specific diet.
But linking a specific diet with better sleep can be a “slippery slope,” according to Cara Harbstreet, a registered dietitian and owner of Street Smart Nutrition. For one, self-reported dietary habits often come with inaccuracies. Survey respondents also had the option of choosing more than one diet.
“There are also different interpretations of dietary patterns, such as what ‘keto’ means to one person may mean something else to another person,” said Debbie Fetter, PhD, assistant professor of teaching in the department of nutrition at the University of California, Davis. “There are many forms of vegetarianism as well. This may mean respondents could classify their dietary patterns differently, which affects the results.”
Instead of focusing on a specific diet, aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, Fetter said, noting that more than a quarter of American adults don’t meet this goal. Also, start incorporating more plants into your diet, she suggested. A whopping 90% of American adults do not get the recommended 2 cups of fruit and 2.5 cups of vegetables per day.
“Sleep deprivation can have a negative impact on cognitive function, which may lead to impaired decision-making and influence health. For example, if someone is low on sleep, they may choose more energy-dense comfort foods instead of a nutrient-dense option, or they could feel too tired to engage in physical activity,” Fetter said.
Certain nighttime snacks can also help with sleep.
“Tart cherries, yogurt, fatty fish like salmon, and kiwis (all included in the survey questions in some manner) are foods we know could support better sleep when eaten regularly,” Harbstreet said.
The survey found that yogurt eaters had the highest sleep quality (61%). Fruit and berry munchers were a close second (58%). Those who snack on cookies, cake, and brownies surprisingly came in third (53%). But only indulge in the latter on occasion, according to Singh, the author of Sleep to Heal.
“Processed foods and sugary treats should be infrequent, especially before bed, [because] eating processed foods at 10 p.m. can spike your blood sugar, which activates your kidneys,” he said. “Then your sleep quality is poor because [of] micro awakenings and even bathroom breaks at night, which can then start to fuel some insomnia habits.”
And a word of caution: it can be tricky to label certain foods as sleep-promoting or not, especially when we do not have critical information about the people who selected those foods.
“For instance, based on this survey, people who consumed cereal reported having the worst sleep quality — but we don’t know about these people’s lifestyles, sleep conditions, dietary or physical activity habits, socioeconomic status, stress level, and more that can all have an impact on their sleep. It may not be because of the cereal,” Fetter said.
Insomnia was the most common sleep disturbance among respondents in the survey. If you are having trouble falling asleep, here are a few things you can try: Skip spicy meals before bedtime, as it can lead to heartburn. Have a scheduled bedtime and wake-up time and stop drinking caffeine 6 to 8 hours before bed. Creating a wind-down routine — such as reading a book, journaling, or coloring in an adult coloring book — can also promote good sleep hygiene, according to Fetter. You could also try a “sleepy girl mocktail,” a viral trend that is a nonalcoholic concoction of sparkling water, tart cherry juice, and a magnesium supplement.
“How well it works is still up for debate,” Harbstreet said, noting that some people swear by it, others found no difference, and others reported the carbonation or sugar content seemed to negatively impact sleep.
For more information on better sleep, see WebMD’s Tips for Better Sleep.
In this inspiring episode of The Schoolyard Podcast, host Nancy Chung spoke with Shannon Olsen, a beloved children’s book author and former second-grade teacher. Shannon shared her journey from teaching to becoming a full-time author, highlighting her passion for creating educational resources and children’s books that foster a sense of family and collaboration in the classroom.
Shannon discussed her popular books, including her best-selling Our Class is a Family and her latest, Collaboration Station, which she wrote during the challenging times of distance learning. These books reinforce the importance of community and teamwork among students while transitioning back to in-person learning.
You’ll hear insights from Shannon on how her personal experiences and challenges as a teacher inspired her books. She shares touching stories about how her role as an author has positively impacted her own children and students across the country.
For aspiring authors, Shannon also offers practical advice on how to get started with writing and publishing their own books.
Tag, You’re It!
The episode wrapped up with our regular segment called “Tag Your It,” where Shannon and Nancy chose the book characters they’d like to be for a day. Listen in to hear their answers!
For more educational resources and to learn about Shannon’s author visits and publishing consultations, visit her website at www.lifebetweensummers.com.
To shop her best-selling books, visit her website at https://lifebetweensummers.com/shop/.
To view her TPT page, visit https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/Life-Between-Summers.
Join us next time on The Schoolyard Podcast, where we continue to explore the magic of learning and the impactful stories of educators.
Shannon Olsen
Shannon Olsen creates resources for elementary school teachers, including picture books. She is the author of #1 best-selling books, including Our Class is a Family and both books in the series A Letter From Your Teacher. The themes are focused on building class community and positive relationships in the classroom.
Several of her books have reached the Amazon Top 20 Charts for all books sold. Her first book, Our Class is a Family, earned the #1 spot on Publisher’s Weekly for Top Children’s Picture Books. In August 2020, Amazon selected the book cover to be featured on their 83-foot billboard in front of Penn Station in New York City.
Prior to becoming an author, Shannon earned her BA in English and MA in Teaching from the University of California Irvine. With fifteen years of classroom experience as a second-grade teacher, she creates and sells downloadable resources for elementary teachers through Life Between Summers LLC. Her educational resources are available through the Teachers Pay Teachers website and her online shop at lifebetweensummers.com.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.
Welcome to my guide on the best organic and non-toxic baby wash brands! This helpful guide is the perfect resource for parents of babies and young kids looking for a healthier soap for sensitive, delicate skin. I break this post down into detailed sections with the safest baby washes, ingredients to avoid, and brands to stay away from so that you can feel confident in your purchase!
As a mom of two, I always want to be mindful of what products I use on my kids. There are so many brands out there that seem clean and healthy, but unfortunately, sneak in potentially harmful ingredients that I prefer to avoid as much as possible. I never want to introduce any products that will irritate my kids’ skin, and body wash tends to be a big culprit if you aren’t careful of ingredients!
Since I have tried so many nontoxic baby bath products over the years, I’ve been able to narrow my list down to the best of the best! I created this guide to save you time, as I’ve already done all the research myself! These are some of the safest baby soaps on the market, and my family has had great experiences with these brands. Keep on reading to discover the perfect fit for you and your little ones.
What Does “Non-Toxic Baby Wash” Mean?
In the simplest terms, a non-toxic baby wash is free from potentially harmful chemicals, toxins, and irritants. Keep in mind, however, that products can be advertised as natural and healthy while still containing problematic ingredients. When it comes to finding the best non-toxic baby wash, I have a list of standards that I expect to see and prefer for my family.
I personally look for hypoallergenic, fragrance-free formulas without any parabens, phthalates, or sulfates. I also love buying from brands that have special certifications and clinical testing, so that I can feel confident in the quality and safety of the product! I will break all of this down in more detail later in this post. Keep reading below to learn more about my favorite brands for nontoxic baby shampoo and body wash!
Best Non-Toxic Baby Wash Brands
EllaOla Organic Baby Shampoo And Body Wash
Why I Love It: EllaOla’s products are all favorites of mine, and their organic body wash appears first on my list because it’s my top pick for the best non-toxic baby wash!
EllaOla’s mission really resonates with me, because it was founded by a mom who struggled with finding a solution for both of her kids’ eczema. Disappointed by the ingredients in most eczema products available, she decided to create the cleanest most-effective option for kids to help as many families as she could!
She developed EllaOla’s formulas with 3 Harvard pediatric dermatologists for 2 years before EllaOla launched. Not only that, she vetted over 100 ingredient suppliers globally and only used the best quality ingredients from the best country of origin (e.g. sunflower seed oil from France, coconut oil from Philipine, Jojoba oil from Argentina, etc.).
Both of my kids are prone to eczema, and I’ve noticed a major difference when I use EllaOla’s body wash for them vs. other brands. With EllaOla, their skin is a lot smoother, less irritated, and less itchy overall.
I also feel good using their wash because their clinically tested tear-free shampoo and body wash is hypoallergenic, EWG, and USDA Biobased verified, and boasts the National Eczema Association Seal. EllaOla is formulated to be extra gentle, and bans over 2,500 ingredients including top allergens such as fragrances, essential oils, dyes, parabens, sulfates / SLS / SLES, propylene glycol, and more.
Not only does EllaOla have one of the best organic baby soaps, they also make a non-toxic hydrating lotion, a non-toxic hydrating bath soak (which also doubles as a washcloth thanks to the organic cotton bag!), and have an eczema skincare bundle which I absolutely love! Find their full collection of clean baby bath products and more here.
Where To Buy: EllaOla’s website, Amazon
Price Per Ounce: $2.50 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Free of sulfates, parabens & phthalates
Made with 14+ vitamins and minerals
National Eczema Association Seal
MADE SAFE non-toxic certification
A bit on the pricier end for this list
Babo Botanicals Sensitive Newborn Foam Wash
Why I Love It: Babo Botanicals non toxic baby soap is developed specifically for newborns, babies, and toddlers to clean and nourish even the most sensitive skin. In addition to being fragrance free and cruelty-free, it is also EWG Verified® to meet the strictest standards for safety and health. I really love the nourishing ingredients in this baby wash, like shea butter, oat, and aloe vera.
Babo Botanicals was also founded by a mom who wanted to create better products for her kids, and for kids around the world. I love that they are also a Certified B Corp, which means it’s been verified by B Lab to meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability (source).
Made with 23 plant-based ingredients, including their certified organic Nutri-Soothe® Herbal Blend, you can feel good about using this body wash for your baby during bath time!
Price Per Ounce: $1.90 / Fl Oz at Walmart when purchasing 3-pack
Fragrance-free, but has a great natural scent thanks to the shea butter!
Free of sulfates, parabens & phthalates
Certified organic ingredients
Formula is a little watery, but this comes down to preference
California Baby Shampoo & Body Wash (Unscented)
Why I Love It: California Baby’s unscented shampoo and body wash is gentle and non-drying, made for all ages! This product stands out to me for its 100% plant-based system, which is the first of its kind to utilize isolates of basil and anise.
This baby wash is USDA Biobased certified, vegan, contains organic ingredients, and is free from fragrance, essential oils, and harsh chemicals. It is also strictly allergy tested with no risk of contamination, making it one of the cleanest baby soaps on the market!
California Baby was developed by a mother over 28 years ago. All products are blended & manufactured in California Baby’s own FDA Registered manufacturing facility in Los Angeles. California Baby is proudly family owned & operated.
I would often use this for my kids when they were infants, because it was a super easy two-in-one wash – so I could use it both as a shampoo and body wash which was so convenient!
Price Per Ounce: $2.12 / Fl Oz on Amazon
USDA Certified Biobased, vegan
Allergy tested, 3rd party tested
Free of sulfates, parabens & phthalates
I love that they grow their own calendula on their certified organic farm!
Made with organic ingredients
Free of common allergens like gluten, soy, sesame, oat, dairy, peanuts, and tree nuts
Not EWG Verified (but scores 1 for low hazard)
Carina Organics Unscented Baby Shampoo & Bodywash
Why I Love It: Carina Organics keeps things simple with their unscented baby wash! This hypoallergenic and tear-free product is formulated specifically to lather less and rinse easily for a gentle yet effective cleaning.
I love that their ingredients are organic and sustainably sourced, and that all of their products are free of cortisone, steroids, DEA (diethanolamine), sulfates, salt (sodium chloride), propylene glycol, aluminum, synthetic fragrances, and dyes.
They’ve been around since 1972, and have been replacing chemical and synthetic ingredients with natural and organic plant extracts, essences, and oils from the beginning – so you know that this is a brand you can trust!
Where To Buy: Amazon
Price Per Ounce: $1.90 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Gluten & soy free (common allergens)
Uses some Certified Organic ingredients
Not EWG Verified (but scores 1 for low hazard)
Dr. Bronner’s Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap
Why I Love It: Another great option on my list is Dr. Bronner’s unscented castile soap. With the minimal ingredient list and EWG Verified, I would feel good about using this soap for my kids!
It provides a gentle foam and leaves skin soft and clean. Not only is this one of the best organic baby wash options for your little one’s skin, but it can also be used around the house as a natural cleaning product (the label of the bottle provides instructions on how to do this).
This baby wash is made with 70% certified organic & fair trade ingredients, and comes in 100% post-consumer recycled plastic bottles to help reduce waste & have a positive environmental impact.
I love that with this product, no parent will have to worry about potentially harmful chemicals that their kids could come in contact with in the home!
Price Per Ounce: $0.85 / Fl Oz at Walmart
Simple, minimal ingredients
Concentrated and can be diluted to last longer
Sustainable and eco-friendly
I love that it has over 18 uses!
Some may prefer to avoid palm oil (but Dr. Bronner’s is certified fair trade)
Not a “no-tear” formula (be cautious around eyes)
Earth Mama Baby Wash (Fragrance-Free)
Why I Love It: Earth Mama Simply Non-Scents Baby Wash is next on my list, with a similar formulation to Dr. Bronner’s. I recommend this baby wash to friends and family with very sensitive, eczema prone skin, as it was awarded the Seal of Acceptance™ by the National Eczema Association.
This baby wash impresses me with its simple yet soothing ingredients like calendula, aloe vera, and shea butter. It is free of artificial fragrance, preservatives, Triclosan, phthalates, and sulfates.
Just like Dr. Bronner’s, this can also be used in DIY household cleaners in addition to just using it as a body wash for your baby!
While this baby wash does come in scented versions like lavender, sweet orange and ginger, I prefer their unscented version since it’s the least likely to irritate your baby’s skin.
Price Per Ounce: $1.03 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Clinically tested for irritation
Free of sulfates, parabens & phthalates
National Eczema Association Seal
Can double as a household cleaner
Not a “no-tear” formula (be cautious around eyes)
Esembly Wipe Up Wash Kit
Why I Love It: The Esembly Wipe Up Wash Kit comes with a refillable foamer bottle and a concentrate designed to be diluted with water before use. The concentrate can refill the foamer bottle about 5 times! This gentle, fragrance-free formulation is made with organic oils and castile soap.
I think it’s great that this soap helps prevent diaper rash, and that you can pair the wash with their cotton towels / wipes to help clean your baby’s bottom without harsh chemicals and fragrances. The cotton wipes are also great on sticky hands or as a washcloth in the tub!
Where To Buy: Amazon
Price Per Ounce: $4.63 / Fl Oz on Amazon (this is a concentrate so a little goes a long way)
Simple, minimal ingredients
Can be used as body wash and cloth wipes solution
Free of sulfates, parabens & phthalates
Made with organic ingredients
Not EWG Verified (but other Esembly products score a 1)
Green Goo Unscented Aloe Baby Castile Soap
Why I Love It: This multipurpose baby wash includes plant-based ingredients like aloe vera, olive oil, and coconut oil for a soothing experience on delicate skin. It is a great option for babies, toddlers, or anyone with sensitive skin!
This company is women-owned and family operated, and they’re a certified B corporation as well. All of Green Goo’s products are all-natural, organic, cruelty-free & paraben-free. And their all-purpose wash is enriched with aloe vera leaf juice, coconut oil, shea butter & more, and is 100% vegan too!
Where To Buy: Amazon
Price Per Ounce: $1.00 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Simple, minimal ingredients
Free of sulfates, parabens & phthalates
Mainly sourced from organic ingredients
Multi-purpose (not just a body wash!)
Not EWG Verified (but scores 1 for low hazard)
HealthyBaby
Why I Love It: HealthyBaby shampoo and body wash is EWG Verified so you can feel confident that it is one of the cleanest baby washes on the market. While it does include a longer ingredient list, it is packed with nourishing botanicals and probiotics! I love that HealthyBaby focuses on supporting the skin microbiome.
Not only that, but they are dedicated to helping the environment and are a Certified B Corporation. Each of their refillable bottles replace single-use plastic and are designed specifically with your baby in mind with stainless steel that does not leach or shatter. All you have to do is order their cleaning concentrate refill when you run out!
Where To Buy: HealthyBaby Website
Price Per Ounce: $2.81/ Fl Oz on their website (this is a concentrate so a little goes a long way)
Concentrated formula – lasts up to 250 baths
Includes stainless steel refill bottle
Considered fragrance-free (but does contain components of essential oils)
Committed to helping the environment
Not a “no-tear” formula (be cautious around eyes)
Hello Bello Shampoo & Body Wash (Fragrance Free)
Why I Love It: Hello Bello Shampoo & Body Wash is a great hypoallergenic option, free from all common allergens like gluten and soy. It is made with a blend of soothing botanical extracts for an extra gentle clean. Plus, this is a USDA Certified Biobased Product!
Their fragrance-free line has almost no scent at all, but leaves your baby’s skin super soft and balanced.
This all natural, non-toxic baby wash is pediatrician-approved, hypoallergenic, tear-free, not tested on animals, and is designed with babies, budgets, and the planet in mind. Not only that, Hello Bello believes in giving back and has donated over 7 million diapers (and endless wipes and care products) to parents in need!
Price Per Ounce: $0.63 / Fl Oz
USDA Certified Biobased Product
Free of sulfates, parabens & phthalates
Not EWG Verified (scores a 2)
Attitude Baby Wash
Why I Love It: The Attitude 2-in-1 Shampoo and Body Wash is EWG Verified and Dermatologist tested with 98.1% naturally derived ingredients. The brand highlights the blueberry leaf extract, which offers calming and protective properties for your little one’s skin.
Attitude also happens to be vegan and cruelty-free, they are PETA certified, and their products are never tested on animals. Lastly, they are also ECOLOGO Certified, which means that their wash is certified by ECOLOGO as sustainable and biodegradable product.
Where To Buy: Amazon
Price Per Ounce: $1.02 / Fl Oz on Amazon
Free of sulfates, parabens & phthalates
Hypoallergenic and non-irritating
Not a “no-tear” formula (be cautious around eyes)
Honest (Fragrance-Free)
Why I Love It: The Honest Company baby wash is made with babies and sensitive skin in mind, using nourishing ingredients like calendula extract and aloe vera. This hypoallergenic wash is free of fragrance, phthalates, parabens, dyes, and other concerning ingredients.
It also happens to be tear-free, cruelty-free, hypoallergenic, and dermatologist-tested. I appreciate that this is a USDA Certified Biobased Product and a great option for those with eczema since it boasts the National Eczema Association Seal!
Price Per Ounce: $1.14 / Fl Oz on Amazon
National Eczema Association Seal
USDA Certified Biobased Product
Hypoallergenic and non-irritating
Some reviewers complain that it is drying/ not hydrating
Vivvi & Bloom
Why I Love It: Vivvi & Bloom 2-in-1 Fragrance-Free Wash & Shampoo is another healthy, gentle option for babies! Thanks to it being EWG Verified and clinically tested, you can feel confident in this product. With soothing shea butter and glycerin, this baby wash will leave skin feeling hydrated.
This gentle baby wash is paraben-free, sulfate-free, non-toxic, free of phthalates, phenoxyethanol, dyes, gluten, silicones and essential oils. Additionally this product is not tested on animals and is 100% vegan.
They’re also an eco-friendly company! Their packaging is made with 100 percent recycled content, contributing to the reduction of virgin plastic use.
Price Per Ounce: $1.17 / Fl Oz on Amazon or Walmart
Pediatrician & dermatologist tested
Clinically proven gentle & safe
Not tested on animals and vegan
Evereden
Why I Love It: Finally, on my list of best nontoxic baby soaps is the Evereden Baby Shampoo & Body Wash. This fragrance-free option is EWG Verified and Eczema-Approved, so even the most sensitive skin can enjoy it! It’s designed to balance the pH of your baby’s skin, with plant-oils to help soothe dry or sensitive skin.
It’s also tear free! And while it’s well suited for the newborn years, it can easily just transition into your child’s toddler years making it super versatile for all ages.
But I love most about Everdeen is that their products are made with the help of three Harvard and Stanford doctors who are all moms themselves!
Where To Buy: Amazon
Price Per Ounce: $2.01 / Fl Oz on Amazon
National Eczema Association Seal
USDA Certified Biobased Product
Free of Sulfates, Parabens & Phthalates
Dermatologist developed, tested, and approved
Pricier than some on this list
What To Look For In Non-Toxic, Organic Baby Wash
Designed For Babies: When shopping for a baby wash, I think it is important to look for one that is specifically made with babies and sensitive skin in mind! These formulations will always be more gentle and non-irritating.
Organic Ingredients: I love brands that prioritize organic ingredients in their formulations, being as close to 100% organic as possible. In addition, I like to look for natural, plant-based ingredients that are more nourishing to the skin.
Fragrance Free: Essential oils have their place, but when it comes to baby products I prefer to stay away from both synthetic and naturally fragranced products. Fragrance free baby wash will be the most gentle and safe, reducing risk of any irritation to the skin.
EWG Verified: While this isn’t completely necessary, I do find it comforting to see that EWG verification. This indicates that the product meets EWG’s strictest standards, free from any harmful chemicals or contamination concerns.
Tear-Free Formula: I don’t rank this one as high in importance, but I still think it is something to consider! While there are a lot of high quality, non toxic baby washes that are not tear-free, you might prefer to avoid the potential discomfort. I always suggest being careful around the eye area regardless, but if you want to stress less, this may be the way to go for you!
Ingredients To Avoid
Fragrance: Not only is fragrance potentially irritating to the skin, it is also often undisclosed. I don’t love the idea of not knowing where this fragrance is sourced from and what hidden chemicals are in a product. Synthetic fragrance contains phthalates, which are a well-known endocrine disruptor.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG Compounds): PEGs are commonly used as emulsifiers and cleansing agents in cosmetic products. It is best to avoid PEGs as they can contain carcinogenic impurities such as 1,4-dioxane, ethylene oxide, and propylene oxide (source).
Other Ethoxylated Ingredients: PEG, PPG, polysorbate, laureth, ceteareth, and steareth are all ethoxylated ingredients that you may see on personal care product ingredients. As mentioned above with PEGs, these ingredients can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, ethylene oxide, and propylene oxide which are carcinogenic (source).
Benzyl Alcohol: This is used in many cosmetic products as a preservative, solvent, or fragrance component. Delayed contact dermatitis reactions, as well as systemic reactions have occurred after contact with benzyl alcohol. (source) According to the EWG, it is ranked high for allergies & immunotoxicity.
Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Used as a surfactant, cocamidopropyl betaine is commonly found in body washes and shampoos. It is known to cause irritation and allergic contact dermatitis and may be commonly contaminated with toxic impurities (source). When found in products that are rinsed off quickly, there is less of a concern but I think it is still important to be aware of the potential risks!
Parabens: Parabens are used as preservatives in many personal care products. They are another endocrine disruptor, imitating estrogen in the body. Women’s exposure to parabens has been associated with poor reproductive health and there are potential links to breast cancer.
Sulfates: Sulfates are foaming agents commonly used in formulations for body washes and shampoos. There are various types of sulfates with the most well-known being sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), and sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (SLSA). Sulfates are known to cause irritation to the skin and are particularly harmful for those with sensitive skin or eczema (source).
Phthalates: Not only are phthalates used in cosmetics like shampoo and cleansers, but also toys, packaging, and fragrances. They are considered to be one of the top endocrine disruptors, interfering with the body’s hormone function which impacts normal growth and fertility.
Formaldehyde Releasers: Formaldehyde releasers such as sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate are used as an antimicrobial preservative, and form formaldehyde in products like shampoo, soap, and baby wipes. These types of preservatives are associated with allergic contact dermatitis and sensitization (source). Other ones to look out for include polyoxymethylene urea, diazolidinyl urea, bromopol, and DMDM hydantoin.
Talc: Luckily talc is not as popular in baby shampoos and body washes, but it is important to check the ingredients. Talc is linked to cancer and can be contaminated with asbestos (source).
Triclosan: This is used to prevent bacterial contamination, commonly used in soaps and body washes. Some studies have shown that a high dose of triclosan can impact thyroid hormones, and there is concern for antibacterial resistance with repeated use of triclosan-containing products (source).
Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT): BHT is another common preservative found in both personal care products and food. It has been linked to toxic effects in lung tissue.
Methylisothiazolinone and Methylchloroisothiazolinone: MIT and MCI are popular preservatives used in personal care products to prevent bacteria or yeast growth. MIT has been linked to neurotoxicity and both are largely associated with allergic reactions.
Phenoxyethanol: Phenoxyethanol is a preservative used in personal care products like body wash. While phenoxyethanol is more harmful in powder or spray formulations due to inhalation (source), I still wanted to make note of it on this list. It can cause skin, lung and liver irritation, along with potential for kidney and nerve damage (source).
Brands That Are Just Ok
Weleda 2-in-1 Gentle Shampoo + Body Wash: I do love the soothing calendula in this formula but it also includes fragrance and essential oils.
Babyganics: While Babyganics does offer a fragrance-free baby wash that is pediatrician and dermatologist tested, I recommend only using this in a pinch. It contains capramidopropyl betaine and ethylhexylglycerin which could cause irritation (source).
Burt’s Bees: Burt’s Bees offers a fragrance-free foaming shampoo and wash made for sensitive skin, but it does contain phenoxyethanol.
Puracy: The Natural Baby Shampoo & Body Wash is tear-free, hypoallergenic, and pH balanced with 98.8% natural ingredients. However, they do not offer a fragrance-free option at this time.
Scented Earth Mama Organics: While these are made with no synthetic fragrance, triclosan, sulfates, phthalates, or parabens, the lavender oil may be irritating to a baby’s delicate skin.
Scented Hello Bello: Overall, the Hello Bello scented baby washes are clean and non-toxic with EWG verification. They are hypoallergenic, tear-free, and dermatologist-test, but the fragrance may cause irritation.
Scented Honest: The entire Honest baby shampoo and body wash line is made without parabens, phthalates, or SLS/SLES but the extracts and oils could irritate sensitive skin.
Scented Dr. Bronners: While Dr. Bronner’s soaps are EWG Verified and a great option for most adults, the scented soaps use essential oils, which have the potential to be irritating for delicate baby skin.
Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash: Pipette offers a EWG Verified, fragrance-free option, which would be a good choice, but I would suggest avoiding the fragrance options in case your baby is sensitive.
Brands To Avoid
Aquaphor’s Gentle Wash & Shampoo: This product contains sodium myreth sulfate and cocamidopropyl betaine, so it is best to avoid!
Cetaphil Baby Body Wash: This body wash contains sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, PEGs, and fragrance. I suggest leaving this one on the shelf!
Dove Baby Night Time Wash: With cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium benzoate, and fragrance included in the ingredients, I do not recommend this baby wash.
Johnson & Johnsons: Their Baby Bubble Bath and Wash contains PEGs, fragrance, cocamidopropyl betaine, phenoxyethanol, and sodium benzoate.
Baby Magic: While this brand does make a “Delicate Wash” it still includes fragrance (parfum) and phenoxyethanol, with many products also containing PEGs, cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium laureth sulfate.
Final Thoughts
I hope you found my guide for the best nontoxic baby wash brands to be helpful! With so many options and confusion behind what is considered “clean” I know it can feel overwhelming to find the best fit for your baby. For the best all-in-one pick, EllaOla is definitely the one I would choose, but any of the “best of” brands would be great choices as well!
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