Want to make sure your toddler has some gorgeous locks? Keep reading for all the best toddler shampoo and conditioner plus hair care products for easier do’s.
Toddler hair can be challenging even with the best toddler shampoo and conditioner. They can get pretty dirty with everything from bubble solution to bananas and even mud caked in their hair from a fun day or play. Plus, toddlers have a lot of their own opinions… like some don’t even like having their hair washed or brushed.
A small note about allergies and skin reactions. Nearly all of the best shampoo and conditioners for toddlers will have some people who react poorly. However, those same ones will also clear up skin issues for others. We have pored over the reviews of these products to look for patterns or red flags. But to some extent, you’ll need to use your own discretion on what ingredients might be helpful or irritating to you or your toddler’s hair and skin.
So it’s important to be thoughtful about which hair care products you choose for your kids.
That’s why we’ve curated their list of the best toddler shampoo and conditioner options out there. Whether you need tear-free shampoo or a deep conditioner for your curly-haired little one, we’ve got you covered.
(FYI – This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase something with one of our links, we get a small commission at no extra cost to you.)
Best Overall Toddler Shampoo
This Suave 3-in-1 is affordable, smells good, and has no parabens, sulfates, or dyes. It’s just an all-around good product that leaves toddler hair clean and soft. It’s a little expensive on Amazon but is available at Target for just around $5. Plus, it’s tear-free.
One thing to keep in mind, although it doesn’t have a lot of chemicals like parabens or sulfates, it does have fragrance in it. Most customers said it smells great, but some don’t like the strong fragrance. So if you’re looking for something 100% natural without added scent, then this might not be the one for you. But it’s such a solid choice it had to make the list of best toddler shampoo and conditioner.
Best Tear Free Shampoo for Toddlers
The Honest Co. shampoo and body wash is perfect for kids from babies up to toddlers and even beyond with this tear-free formula. The scent is a soft orange-vanilla that smells nice but isn’t overpowering.
There are few chemicals or additives since it has no phthalates, parabens, dyes, synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde donors, or SLS/SLES.
However, some reviewers said it didn’t work well with their skin or their kids. So perhaps if you or your children are very prone to breakouts or have extra sensitive skin, try something else. On the other hand, some reviewers said this formula actually cleared up their child’s rashy skin. So it’s something you might just need to find out via trial and error with other options on this list.
Best Organic Toddler Shampoo
Burt’s Bees has been a long-time favorite for kids or anything who wants to use a more natural product with fewer additives. The calming lavender scent isn’t a guarantee you’ll have calm tantrum-free toddlers, but it’s worth a shot, right?!
Seriously though, the soft lavender scent is lovely and not overpowering, though of course like any scent isn’t a favorite for everyone. But if you like the scent of lavender you should love this one. There are also no harsh chemicals, and the fragrance is natural, not synthetic.
This shampoo and body wash combo is tear-free without parabens, phthalates, petrolatum, and SLS. A must-have on the list of best toddler shampoo and conditioner.
Best Toddler Shampoo and Conditioner for Curly Hair
When it comes to curly toddler hair, Cantu is almost always one of the products on the list. Kids with a wide range of curly and coily textures can use this tear-free shampoo and have great results.
The ingredients include no mineral oil, no sulfates, no parabens, no silicones, no phthalates, no gluten, no paraffin, and no propylene with an infusion of shea butter, coconut oil, and honey to cleanse promote healthy hair growth.
Reviewers had very few bad things to say about this best toddler shampoo and condition for curly hair, with most negative reviews being related to the packaging and not the actual product.
Best Shampoo for Girls (or Boys with Long Hair)
While shampoo doesn’t really have a gender, there are hair concerns that many girls will have which boys who don’t have long hair won’t. So it is worth crowning a champion for the best shampoo for girls… or boys with long hair… or anyone who thinks this formula will work for them or their toddler.
One of the most frustrating things about toddlers’ hair is how tangle-prone it is, and then how hard it is to get them to sit still to detangle. That’s why we picked this detangling toddler shampoo and conditioner for girls and boys with long hair. Any help with getting the knots and snags out is welcome.
Fairy Tales Tangle Tamer definitely makes the list for best toddler shampoo and conditioner, but while it is sulfate-free, paraben-free, gluten-free, and nut-free, it does contain a longer list of ingredients than others on this list making it not the most natural option. However, a stress-free detangling session might be totally worth it which is why it is an option for best toddler shampoo and conditioner.
Best Shampoo for Boys
This shampoo isn’t just for boys, of course. Girls are Spiderman fans too, but if you’ve got a little one who isn’t a big fan of bathtime it might be worth a try! Something as simple as adding their favorite character to a bottle can take something that is a chore to tons of fun.
Besides being tear-free there aren’t many features to this shampoo besides the cool character on the front of the bottle. If your little one isn’t a Spiderman aficionado, then try the Star Wars option or check out the Frozen shampoo here!
Best Shampoo and Conditioner Combo for Toddlers
This is a great option if you want an all-in-one shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. It’s really affordable with a four-pack of 28oz bottles coming in at just around $20. Plus, it doesn’t have parabens or dyes and is tear-free.
Not quite as natural as something like Burt’s Bees, but the all-in-one feature makes bathtime super fast and it does have fewer questionable ingredients than other cheaper options. With nearly 1,000 reviews on Amazon, it gets a whopping 4.7 out of 5 stars too. So it’s mom and kid-approved and found a spot here among the best toddler shampoo and conditioner.
Best Hair Conditioner for Toddlers
Shea Moisture has products that have been well-loved for many years, and this kids’ hair conditioner is no exception.
While this will work well on any toddlers’ hair, it’s especially great for curly hair. Plus, it is a truly natural conditioner without any harsh chemicals or strong fragrances. Perfect for toddlers who need a good conditioning product to keep their hair looking nice.
Best Deep Conditioner for Toddlers
Have toddlers with curly hair in need of some deep conditioning? Parents are raving about this Aunt Jackie’s conditioner.
It makes curls soft and manageable and based on reviewer images, works on a variety of curl types. The ingredients are even gentle enough to use on babies through toddlers and on. One thing to note is that it isn’t silicone-free, and some curly parents might not like that while others are cool with silicone. The rave reviews meant it’s gotta be here with other best toddler shampoo and conditioner options.
Best Detangling Leave-In Conditioner for Toddlers
Detangling toddler hair can be… challenging. This Aussie detangler spray is super helpful in teasing out those tangles with fewer tears.
While this spray does work well, is affordable, and gets awesome reviews, the real reason it makes the list is Dory and Nemo. Nothing makes the process of hair brushing easier for little ones than a fun character to make it a little less scary.
