Is Honest Shampoo & Body Wash Safe For Babies?
Written by Irina Webb
Honest Shampoo & Body Wash falls in my Better tier, not Best. Three ingredients hold it back. Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine can contain trace impurities of allergenic DMAPA. Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is made with carcinogenic ethylene oxide. And Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride is made with CHPTAC, a suspected carcinogen. While I accept these ingredients in rinse-off washes for grown-ups, I do not accept them in baby products.
I’ve checked the ingredients of four Honest body washes and placed them in the following tiers:
Best
- Honest Soothing Bottom Wash Fragrance-Free
Better
- Honest Shampoo + Body Wash Sensitive Fragrance-Free
- Honest Shampoo + Body Wash Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story Sensitive Fragrance-Free
- Honest Advanced Therapy Body Wash Fragrance-Free
The scented versions have the same ingredients as the unscented ones plus essential oils. I prefer products for babies to be free of essential oils as well.
My Best Honest Baby Wash Picks
The Honest Soothing Bottom Wash earns my Best rating because it uses safe ingredients.
Honest Soothing Bottom Wash Fragrance-Free
Ingredients: Water, Glycerin, Allantoin, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate, Decyl Glucoside, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Coco-Glucoside, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid.
The Honest Soothing Bottom Wash is my Best Honest pick. It’s made for the diaper area and is built on mild, sugar-based cleansers, Coco-Glucoside and Decyl Glucoside, along with a gentle preservative pair, Sodium Benzoate and Potassium Sorbate. It’s a bottom wash rather than a hair-and-body wash, so it works alongside a shampoo.
My Better Honest Baby Wash Picks
I place the following Honest body washes in my Better tier because their formulas contain Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, and Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride:
- Honest Shampoo + Body Wash Sensitive Fragrance-Free
- Honest Shampoo + Body Wash Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story Sensitive Fragrance-Free
- Honest Advanced Therapy Body Wash Fragrance-Free
Honest Shampoo + Body Wash Sensitive Fragrance-Free
Ingredients: Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Coconut Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Coconut Acid, Glutamic Acid, Citric Acid.
The Honest Shampoo + Body Wash Sensitive Fragrance-Free sits in my Better tier because of three ingredients: Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, and Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride. I have reservations about these ingredients in baby products because they all may have trace impurities of allergenic or carcinogenic chemicals used during manufacturing.
Honest Shampoo + Body Wash Disney And Pixar’s Toy Story Sensitive Fragrance-Free
Ingredients: Water, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Laurylglucosides Hydroxypropylsulfonate, Disodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Chloride, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Coconut Fruit Extract, Glycerin, Caprylyl Glycol, Panthenol, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium PCA, Coconut Acid, Glutamic Acid, Citric Acid.
The Honest Shampoo + Body Wash Disney and Pixar’s Toy Story Sensitive Fragrance-Free has the exact same formula as the Honest Shampoo + Body Wash Sensitive Fragrance-Free, just in Toy Story packaging. It also sits in my Better tier due to Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, and Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride which may have leftover impurities of allergenic or carcinogenic chemicals used during production.
Honest Advanced Therapy Body Wash Fragrance-Free
Ingredients: Water, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Propanediol, Ethyl Macadamiate, Palmitic Acid, Sorbitan Oleate Decylglucoside Crosspolymer, Stearic Acid, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Coconut Acid, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Allantoin, Tocopherol, Panthenol, 1,2-Hexanediol, Alpha-Glucan Oligosaccharide, Sodium PCA, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Chloride, Caprylhydroxamic Acid, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Myristic Acid, Pantolactone, Malic Acid, Citric Acid, Sodium Benzoate.
The Honest Advanced Therapy Body Wash Fragrance-Free is in my Better tier because of Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate. It’s made with carcinogenic ethylene oxide that can remain in the final ingredient at trace levels even after purification.
Three Ingredients That Keep Three Honest Washes Out Of My Best Tier
Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine cleanses gently and stays on the skin’s surface. However, its manufacturing process can leave behind trace DMAPA and amidoamine. These impurities can cause allergic reactions. Also, its amide group can form carcinogenic nitrosamides if the product is made carelessly.
Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate is mild, gentle on the skin barrier, and low in allergy risk, but it’s made with ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen. Even though good purification keeps any residue at trace levels, I keep it out of any products made for a baby.
Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride does not soak into the skin and raises no allergy concerns. Yet, its manufacturing chemical, CHPTAC, is classified as “suspected carcinogen.” Hence, I keep it out of baby products.
Bottom Line: Is Honest Shampoo Safe For Babies?
Honest Shampoo & Body Wash falls in my Better tier because of three ingredients that may have trace amounts of potentially allergenic or carcinogenic impurities. These ingredients are Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, and Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride. Even though the product can work well for most babies, I prefer to err on the side of caution.
Among Honest’s washes, the Soothing Bottom Wash is in my Best tier. But it only covers the diaper area. For washing hair and body, the Honest Shampoo & Body Wash Sensitive Fragrance-Free version is the strongest option, as long as you’re comfortable with the ingredient trade-offs mentioned above.
Alternatively, see my full Best Baby Shampoo Guide that will give you options of baby shampoos in my Best tier.
You can also get my free emails to stay up to date on the safest, non-toxic products.
Frequently Asked Questions About Honest Baby Shampoo
Does Honest Baby Shampoo Contain Sulfates?
No, Honest baby shampoo does not contain sulfates. It uses cleansers like Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate instead of harsher sulfates like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES).
Is Honest Baby Shampoo Tear-Free, And Is That Safe?
Yes, Honest markets its baby wash as tear-free. Tear-free does not mean it numbs the eyes. It means the formula is milder and less likely to sting. You can read how tear-free products actually work in my post on Numbing Agents In Baby Shampoo.
Is Honest Baby Shampoo Safe For Newborns?
For a newborn, I would choose a wash from my Best category. Honest’s only Best-rated product is the Soothing Bottom Wash, which is made just for the diaper area, not for washing hair and body. To wash a newborn’s hair and body, I would pick from the Best options in my Best Baby Shampoo Guide. Newborn skin is thin and reactive, so this is where I am most careful, and plain water works well for the first few weeks too.
Are Honest Products Cruelty-Free?
Yes, The Honest Company is cruelty-free. It’s certified by PETA’s Beauty Without Bunnies program, which means it does not test its ingredients or finished products on animals. Keep in mind that “cruelty-free” does not mean “non-toxic” or “safe,” so reading the label is still the best way to judge a product.
Can Adults Use Honest Shampoo And Body Wash?
Yes, adults can use Honest Shampoo & Body Wash. Honest markets it for the whole family, and it lathers and cleans well. Because it’s a gentle formula, adults with very oily hair or heavy product buildup might want a stronger clarifying shampoo now and then, but for everyday washing it should work fine.
Does Honest Shampoo Cause Hair Loss?
There is no evidence that Honest shampoo causes hair loss. Its ingredients are mild and are not linked to hair loss in research. Babies and toddlers shed and regrow hair naturally, which can look like thinning but is normal.
Does The Honest Citrus Vanilla Version Have Tea Tree Oil In It?
No, the Citrus Vanilla version does not contain tea tree oil. Its scent comes from orange peel, tangerine peel, and vanilla fruit extracts.
Is There An Honest Baby Soap?
Honest does not make a dedicated baby bar soap for washing your baby’s body. When people search for “Honest baby soap,” they usually mean the shampoo and body wash. Honest does sell a general bar soap and a foaming hand soap, but those are not made for a baby’s whole body or face.
Download The Free Guide!
5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home
Join our informed consumer community and get our free guide the “5 Powerful Steps To A Non-Toxic Home”.
It is an informative and useful guide on the Honest Shampoo and Body Wash. Thank you for sharing the blog based on your experience. All individuals concerned about their body, hair, and scalp should explore this topic and reap its benefits. I like your blog and also prefer organic products.
My husband is very sensitive to chemical and to fragrance so I am trying to find a shampoo that I can use. My hair tends to be on the greasy side. Do you have any recommendations?
Hi, Sara! Thank you for your interest! There are safe shampoo options in the shop on our website. Alternatively, Irina will be happy to help you in a private consultation.
Thanks for the article and thank readers responses. I’m having a 2nd round of “eczema” flaring up right now. I have the unbearable itchy rashes on my face and arms and upper body. I use Honest Face and Body wash. I’ve never doubted about the product and thought it was save until now. I thought it might be the fabric softener. I thought about food too. I’ll stop using it right away and see. I went the dermatologist and allergist when I first had this without much help. It went on for months. I might be allergic to a combination of things. It’s hard to tell.
Hi, Lidia:
you might want to get tested to find out which chemicals you are allergic to. Keep in touch. ~Irina
Thank you for helping to make the tricky task of buying safe products easier for families!
I recently joined with Beautycounter, a company dedicated to getting safe, clean products in the hands of everyone. They have strong values with what they will not include in their products, and have banned more than 1500 harmful chemicals from use in their products!
I’d love to know what you think about their products and their mission to change the unregulated beauty industry! Check out the products and mission.
Thanks!
Vanessa
Hi, Vanessa: I had a dance with them for two years. You can read about it here: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/beautycounter-story/ I am probably the only one who did not convert to their subjects. 🙂 Thanks though. ~Irina
I have been researching for days for a good shampoo. I came across Honest shampoo. But you left out one ingredient in your post, Honest uses sodium chloride (table salt) which is a thickener but also causes dryness and hair loss. I have had little luck finding one shampoo and conditioner which doesn’t have at least one bad ingredient. Honest was close but the table salt added makes it not good either (at least makes me skeptical of buying it).
Hi, Marie: have you seen my review of Hairprint shampoo? https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/hairprint-non-toxic-shampoo-review/ ~Irina
I recently bought the Honest sweet orange and vanilla and used it on my 4 month old. The first day we used it to bath him we noticed that his eyes got irritated but didn’t pay to much mind to it considering that it says tear free on the bottle. By the third day one of his eyes got red and really irritated. I stopped using it on him and the irritation in his eyes cleared up. I wanted to give the wash the benefit of a doubt and used it on my special needs kid who is 12 and the same exact thing happened to him too. I’ve since stopped using the product and have gone back to using Aveno.
Can you do the same analysis for the Kirkland Signature and body wash? Thanks.
This is a good idea, Nancy. I will consider that. Thanks. ~Irina
Thank you for such a wonderful article dear and from my side I want to say that i am using multivitamin shampoo for my hair Because this antioxident rich shampoo helps to perfect and renew vibrancy to dull, lackluster hair. When used in our 10-IN-1 RENEWAL SYSTEM it provides Sulfate-free cleansing, anti-aging benefits, color protection, hydration, nourishment, rejuvenation, anti-stress, manageability and softness without build up.
Thank you for what you do!!
Hi Irina
Thanks for your helpful reviews. Do you have a list of products you recommend for use during pregnancy? I need shampoo,conditioner, body wash and moisturiser and face wash and face moisturiser. Thank you
Hi Tash, all the products I recommend on my blog should be safe to use during pregnancy. Please look at this page for directory. Thanks! Congratulations! ~Irina
Hi Irina,
Just discovered your blog and really love it!
What do you think about Dr. Bronner’s soap?
Yes, I do recommend Dr. Bronner’s! Welcome to my blog, Katya! ~Irina
Thank you for this insightful post. I’ve ised the Honest Company shampoo/body wash on my one year old daughter since she was born. I recently bought a new bottle and she has developed an irritating rash since using it. I will be purchasing the Valenti True Castille bar soap for her, but am wondering if you have any recommendations for a safe shampoo to use on her? Thanks so much!
Hi Ali, I actually still use bar soap on my son’s hair. Have you heard of California Baby? I like the ingredients.
Thanks so much.
Thank you for the in depth review! Even for someone like me who has researched body product ingredients a lot, I always learn something new from your reviews. I agree with your recommendation that we should not use adult products for babies and children. Their skin is more sensitive and we should try to limit exposure to toxins as much as possible. I am very careful about the products we use on our toddler. We stick with natural soap for our son’s hair and body. He is clean and his hair looks great!
One thought that came to mind when reading your assessment of the ingredients is the “processing” method for extractives. The process to come up with the extractives or derivations of plants/herbs/etc. could include toxic chemicals that might be left over in the final product. Do you have any insight on how the extracts above are manufactured?
Nice to hear from you, Katie! You are absolutely right about the fact some extractions are done with solvents and thus their trace amounts may remain in the products. I wish I had more information about that. Unfortunately, my communication with Honest co. is limited. For that reason I prefer to buy from smaller business where I can get in touch with people who make products directly.
Thanks Irina! I always make a note about the extractions with solvents in my reviews of beauty products, so I thought I would mentioned it.
I prefer to buy from smaller businesses also! 🙂
Thank you for your thorough reviews. I love the Ava Anderson NonToxic line avaBABY and avaBODY shampoos, body washes and shower gels!
Hi dear
What is you opinion on the honest co multipurpose cleaner? How many bad ingredients? It works well thouhg on everything
Hi Mehnaz, I like that there is glucoside cleanser and that there are no artificial fragrances in it. My concern is that there are two ingredients that are concerning to me: PPG-4 Laureth/Myreth-5 and Methylisothiazolinone. PPG-4 Laureth/Myreth-5 is a cleanser initially derived from coconut oil, somewhere in a chain of chemical reactions carcinogenic ethylene oxide is added, which means that if the company does not use vacuum process the by-product of this reaction – carcinogenic 1,4-dioxane – may remain in the product. The other concerning Methylisothiazolinone is banned in the European Union from the use in cosmetics. What’s interesting to me that the EPA says that the only uses of methylisothiazolinone that come in contact with food they tolerate and regulate are paper, paper products, and adhesives. So I would not use the Honest company multi-purpose cleaner on the surfaces that come in contact in food. Most cleaning products have some concerns about them. I recommend using homemade cleaners if possible. And use commercial cleaners only if you have to. Here is a post where you can find some of my recipes.
I’ve been doing it for about 6 months. I only wash my hair once a week or twice maximum if it’s hot out or if I workout hard. I haven’t found it to be drying even though I have dey skin to begin with. I use trader joes tea tree hair shampoo once in a while. Seems to work ok.
Good for you! I am so glad you have good results! I wish it had worked for me. 🙁
Have you ever analyzed the ingredients in the Whole Foods brand shampoo, 365? I love the big jugs that it comes in. Thank you for analyzing and recommending John Masters. It’s easy to find. I’m switching to that based on your recommendation.
Hi! Whole Foods brand is not too bad but I wish there were some certified organic ingredient in it. I am glad that you will be using John Masters.
I really enjoy reading your blog and have gotten quite a few products thanks to your research.
Currently I use baking soda to wash my hair and although it doesn’t suds the way shampoo does it seems to leave my hair clean. Have you ever tried this method? I still use shampoo once in a blue moon but the baking soda just seems to work.
Would love your input
Hi Batya, yes – I have tried this method and I really wanted it to work. Unfortunately, baking soda has high pH, which means that it is drying for the hair. After a month of use, my hair got dry and brittle. How long have you been using it?
I did it for about 6 months and my hair started to fall out. I am not sure if it was my thyroid or the baking soda but my hair got dry at the ends as well. The fullness has now returned yet but the falling out has stopped.
I am now using herbaliz shampoo.
I will see how it goes.
Thanks
Hi! Let me know how you like Herbaliz shampoo. The ingredients look great!
We recently switched to this shampoo/body wash for our two year old. She has been dealing with a irritating rash for the past week and a half and I think I finally realized it could be this soap. I feel terrible for using a product that has made her so uncomfortable. Do you have any recommendations for baby wash?
Hi, Amanda! I would switch to true castile bar soap by Valenti Organics. How do you feel about using bar soap instead of liquid wash? This is what I have been using for my son and never had to use any moisturizer. You can read about the soap here as well as about other options. I hope your daughter will feel better soon! ~Irina
Thank you so much for your quick response! I’m totally up to trying bar soap for her body wash, but what about shampoo? Do you use it as shampoo as well for your son?
I use the bar soap as shampoo, too. Try it and let me know what you think.
Irina…been having terrible dr, ichy ski esp o farms. Dermatologist suggested an oatmeal body wash. Found HONEst ad there was no Aveeno. Was disappointed to see there is aloe in it. I am allergic to aloe. Do you know the percentage? It’s listed 13th…kind of in the middle of the list. 🤔
Hi, Erin! Have you tried contacting Honest customer service? We hope they will provide you with the information you are looking for! If you would like to use our consulting services, Irina will be happy to help you: https://ireadlabelsforyou.com/services/
I started using this about a week or so ago and I really love this product, however, I have started to develop itchiness all over my body and even rash like redness where I have not been itching and I am not sure if it is from this product or not. I have not changed anything else like my laundry detergent or anything so I am sadly going to have to stop using this product to see if my itchiness/rash subsides..Any suggestions? I was using Dove unscented body wash for years up until this product, should I just go back to that?
Hi Jes, how do you feel about bar soap? In my research, I found that they are the best for your health and for the environment. The ones I use and recommend are made with organic plant oil – so good for your skin! Check out my list here. Let me know what you think.
Oleic acid is a fatty acid, also known as Omega 9. Not harmful at all, it is found in oils like olive oil. If you have ever gotten oil in your eyes, you know it is definitely an eye irritant! I cant imagine why it would be considered an environmental toxin, though….
I checked with the Canada Domestic Substance List and oleic acid is not listed as an environmental toxin. I am not sure why the Skin Deep database says that Canada Domestic Substance List has it as a suspected environmental toxin. I will email the EWG about that. Thank you, Macy, for your help.