Living with eczema can be challenging, especially when it affects your child(ren).
As a parent, watching your child struggle with the dry skin and itchy skin of eczema can be heartbreaking.
You want to provide them with relief and find the best solutions to soothe their sensitive skin.
That’s why you even googled “best body wash for child with eczema” or something like that!
Growing up as a child with eczema myself, I understand the frustration and the endless search for products that truly work.
I will share my expertise as an eczema expert, Certified Nutritional Practitioner and Skin Health Coach, offering valuable insights and recommendations for finding the best body wash for your child’s unique needs.
Say goodbye to the days of painful baths and showers for your children!
Table of Contents
ToggleUnderstanding Eczema and its Impact on the Skin
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition that causes the skin to become inflamed and itchy.
It often appears as patches of dry, red, and scaly skin, which can be uncomfortable.
The most common areas affected by eczema in children include the face, neck, elbows, knees, and behind the ears.
Children with eczema may experience a range of symptoms, including intense itching, skin dryness, roughness, and even the development of small, fluid-filled blisters.
These symptoms can significantly impact their quality of life, causing sleep disturbances, irritability, a decrease in self-esteem and mental health.
Factors Contributing to Eczema Flare-Ups in Children
Understanding the factors that contribute to eczema flare-ups is crucial in managing the condition effectively.
Certain triggers can worsen symptoms and lead to flare-ups in children. Common triggers include:
1. Environmental Factors:
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- Exposure to irritants such as harsh soaps, fragrances, and chemicals can aggravate eczema. Dry weather conditions, low humidity, and extreme temperatures can also impact the skin’s moisture balance.
2. Allergens:
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- Certain allergens like pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and certain foods can trigger eczema flare-ups in sensitive individuals. Identifying and avoiding these allergens is important in managing eczema symptoms.
3. Skin Barrier Dysfunction:
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- Children with eczema often have a weakened skin barrier, which allows moisture to escape and allergens to penetrate the skin more easily. This leads to increased dryness, itching, and inflammation.
4. Nutritional Deficiencies:
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- When your child is lacking certain vitamin and mineral deficiencies this can show up as eczema. When the body is not being properly nourished, it lacks the resources to support the immune system.
The Need for Gentle and Non-Irritating Body Washes
Given the delicate nature of eczema, it’s crucial to choose body washes that are on gentle cleanser side of things.
Harmful ingredients and chemicals commonly found in regular body washes can strip the skin of its natural oils, worsening dryness and triggering eczema flare-ups.
When selecting the right body wash for child with eczema, it’s essential to opt for products that are specifically formulated to be mild, soothing, and nourishing.
Look for body washes that are free from harsh chemicals, artificial fragrances, and potential irritants.
Instead, focus on clean and natural ingredients that promote hydration, repair the natural skin barrier, and reduce inflammation.
Essential Qualities to Look for in a Body Wash for Child with Eczema
When it comes to selecting the best body wash for child with eczema, certain essential qualities can make a significant difference in managing their symptoms and promoting healthy skin.
By understanding these qualities, you can make an informed decision and choose a body wash that will provide optimal care for your child’s sensitive skin.
This is why I always read the ingredient list.
A. Clean and Natural Ingredients
One of the most important qualities to look for in a body wash for a child with eczema is the use of clean and natural ingredients.
Harsh chemicals and artificial additives can further irritate sensitive skin, leading to more frequent flare-ups.
The skin also absorbs these harsh chemicals in these products which your body then has to detoxify from.
Instead, opt for body washes that prioritize natural ingredients, such as soothing botanical extracts, plant-based oils, and gentle cleansers derived from coconut or other natural sources.
B. Moisturizing and Hydrating Formulas
Keeping the skin moisturized is crucial for managing eczema.
Look for body washes that have moisturizing and hydrating properties to help replenish the skin’s moisture barrier and prevent dryness.
Ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, jojoba oil (my favourite), and glycerin are known for their hydrating benefits and can provide much-needed relief for eczema-prone skin.
C. Hypoallergenic and Fragrance-Free
Children with eczema often have sensitive skin that can react to allergens and irritants commonly found in fragrances and artificial dyes.
To minimize the risk of triggering flare-ups, choose body washes that are hypoallergenic and fragrance-free.
These formulations are less likely to cause skin irritation and are gentle on delicate skin.
Even as an adult, you should be following these tips!
D. Anti-inflammatory and Calming Properties
Reducing inflammation and soothing the skin are essential for managing eczema.
Look for body washes that contain ingredients with anti-inflammatory and calming properties, such as chamomile, calendula extract, colloidal oatmeal, or lavender.
These ingredients can help alleviate redness, itching, and discomfort, providing relief for your child’s eczema-prone skin.
Top Recommendations: Best Body Wash for Child with Eczema
Remember to always patch test!
If one product doesn’t work for you, don’t give up!
Try the others and see what works best.
Clearing eczema is all about experimenting until something clicks.
*This post contains affiliate links. This means, at no additional cost to you, if you purchase the product, I will receive a commission. These commissions help pay for website hosting, keeping it ad-free and to spread the word on clearing eczema!
1. Live Clean Baby Collodial Oatmeal Eczema Shampoo & Wash
Key Features:
- Colloidal Oatmeal:
- Formulated with soothing colloidal oatmeal, known for its skin-calming properties. It helps relieve itching, redness, and irritation associated with eczema-prone skin.
- Gentle Cleansing:
- Provides a gentle and non-irritating cleansing experience, suitable for babies and children with sensitive skin.
- Tear-Free Formula:
- Designed to be tear-free, ensuring a comfortable bathing experience for your little one.
- Hypoallergenic:
- Free from common allergens and known skin irritants, making it suitable for your child’s skin whether it’s dry skin, sensitive skin or eczema-prone skin.
Benefits:
- Soothes and Relieves Irritation:
- The colloidal oatmeal in the formula helps calm and soothe eczema-prone skin, providing relief from itching, redness, and discomfort.
- Moisturizing and Hydrating:
- The gentle cleansing action helps retain moisture in the skin, preventing dryness and maintaining optimal hydration.
- Protects the Skin Barrier:
- By using a mild and non-irritating formula, this shampoo and wash help protect the delicate skin barrier, minimizing the risk of further irritation.
- Free from Harsh Chemicals:
- Live Clean Baby Colloidal Oatmeal Eczema Shampoo & Wash is free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and other harsh chemicals, ensuring a clean and natural bathing experience.
2. The Honest Company Calm Shampoo + Body Wash Lavender
Key Features:
- Lavender Essential Oil:
- Infused with lavender essential oil, known for its calming and relaxing properties, creating a soothing bathing experience for your child.
- Gentle Cleansing:
- Provides a gentle and nourishing cleanse, suitable for both hair and body. It effectively cleans without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
- pH Balanced:
- Formulated with a pH-balanced formula that helps maintain the skin’s natural pH, promoting a healthy skin barrier.
- Tear-Free Formula:
- Designed to be tear-free, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable bath time for your little one.
- Plant-Based Ingredients:
- Made with plant-based ingredients, ensuring a clean and natural formulation that is gentle on all skin types.
Benefits:
- Calming and Relaxing:
- The lavender essential oil helps create a calming and soothing environment, promoting relaxation during bath time and before bedtime.
- Nourishes and Softens:
- The gentle formula nourishes the skin, leaving it soft, smooth, and supple. It helps retain moisture, preventing dryness and promoting healthy skin.
- Mild and Non-Irritating:
- The gentle cleansing action is suitable for sensitive skin, minimizing the risk of irritation and dryness.
- Free from Harsh Chemicals:
- The Honest Company Calm Shampoo + Body Wash Lavender is free from sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and other harsh chemicals, ensuring a clean and safe bathing experience.
- Versatile Use:
- This 2-in-1 product can be used as both a shampoo and body wash, making it convenient for bath time and reducing clutter in your bathroom.
3. Earth Mama Organics Simply Non-Scents Baby Wash
Key Features:
- Fragrance-Free:
- Specifically formulated without added fragrance, making it suitable for babies and children with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivities.
- Gentle Cleansing:
- Provides a gentle and effective cleanse, removing dirt and impurities without stripping the skin of its natural oils.
- Calendula and Aloe Vera:
- Enriched with organic calendula and aloe vera, known for their soothing and moisturizing properties, promoting a healthy and nourished skin.
- Non-Irritating Formula:
- Formulated with mild ingredients, it is gentle on delicate skin and minimizes the risk of irritation or dryness.
- EWG Verified:
- Earth Mama Organics Simply Non-Scents Baby Wash is verified by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), ensuring its safety and adherence to strict ingredient standards.
Benefits:
- Hypoallergenic and Safe:
- Free from artificial fragrances, common allergens, and harsh chemicals, making it suitable for babies and children with eczema, allergies, or sensitive skin.
- Soothes and Calms:
- The organic calendula and aloe vera in the formula help soothe and calm irritated or inflamed skin, providing relief from itching and redness.
- Moisturizes and Hydrates:
- The gentle cleansing action helps retain moisture in the skin, preventing dryness and maintaining optimal hydration.
- Trusted Quality:
- Earth Mama Organics is a trusted brand known for its commitment to using organic and natural ingredients in their products, ensuring high-quality and safe formulations.
- Versatile Use:
- This baby wash can be used not only for the body but also for the hair, making it a convenient all-in-one product for bath time.
4. Live Clean Kids Body + Hair Wash Mixed Berry
Key Features:
- 2-in-1 Formula:
- Serves as both a body wash and a hair wash, making it convenient for parents and reducing clutter in the bathroom.
- Gentle Cleansing:
- Provides a gentle yet effective cleansing experience, removing dirt and impurities without stripping the skin or hair of their natural oils.
- Tear-Free Formula:
- Designed to be tear-free, ensuring a comfortable and tearless bath time for your child.
- Plant-Based Ingredients:
- Made with plant-based ingredients, promoting a clean and natural formulation that is gentle on your child’s delicate skin and hair.
Benefits:
- Fun and Engaging:
- The mixed berry scent adds an element of fun and excitement to bath time, making it an enjoyable experience for kids.
- Mild and Non-Irritating:
- The gentle formula is suitable for children with sensitive skin, minimizing the risk of irritation or dryness.
- Nourishes and Softens:
- Enriched with natural ingredients, it helps nourish and soften the skin and hair, leaving them feeling smooth and healthy.
- Free from Harsh Chemicals:
- Live Clean Kids Body + Hair Wash Mixed Berry is free from sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, and other harsh chemicals, ensuring a gentle and safe bathing experience.
5. Boo Bamboo Baby Natural Shampoo & Body Wash
Key Features:
- Natural Ingredients:
- Made with natural and organic ingredients, providing a clean and gentle formulation for your baby’s delicate skin and hair.
- Tear-Free Formula:
- Designed to be tear-free, ensuring a comfortable and tearless bathing experience for your little one.
- Hypoallergenic:
- Suitable for sensitive skin, hypoallergenic formula minimizes the risk of irritation or allergic reactions.
- Sulfate-Free:
- Free from harsh sulfates, such as SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) and SLES (sodium laureth sulfate), which can strip the skin and hair of natural oils.
- Cruelty-Free:
- Boo Bamboo is a cruelty-free brand, ensuring their products are not tested on animals.
Benefits:
- Gentle Cleansing:
- The gentle formula effectively cleanses the skin and hair, removing dirt and impurities without causing dryness or irritation.
- Moisturizing and Nourishing:
- Enriched with organic bamboo extract, aloe vera, and other natural ingredients, it helps moisturize and nourish the skin and hair, promoting softness and hydration.
- Soothing and Calming:
- The natural ingredients help soothe and calm the skin, providing relief from dryness, itching, and irritation.
- Safe and Non-Toxic:
- Free from harsh chemicals, parabens, phthalates, and synthetic fragrances, ensuring a safe and non-toxic bathing experience for your baby.
- Mild Scent:
- Boo Bamboo Baby Natural Shampoo & Body Wash has a mild and pleasant scent that leaves a fresh and clean aroma on your baby’s skin and hair.
6. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Body Wash
Key Features:
- Gentle and Safe:
- Formulated with a gentle and safe formula suitable for a baby’s delicate skin and hair.
- Tear-Free Formula:
- Designed to be tear-free, ensuring a comfortable and tearless bathing experience for your little one.
- Plant-Based Ingredients:
- Made with natural and plant-based ingredients, providing a clean and gentle formulation.
- pH-Balanced:
- The pH-balanced formula helps maintain the natural balance of your baby’s skin, promoting a healthy skin barrier.
Benefits:
- Gentle Cleansing:
- Effectively cleanses the skin and hair, removing dirt and impurities without causing dryness or irritation.
- Moisturizing and Nourishing:
- Enriched with natural ingredients, such as coconut oil and soy proteins, it helps moisturize and nourish the skin and hair, promoting softness and hydration.
- Mild and Calming Scent:
- Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Body Wash has a gentle and calming scent that leaves a fresh and clean aroma on your baby’s skin and hair.
- Safe and Natural:
- Free from sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and other harsh chemicals, ensuring a safe and natural bathing experience for your baby.
- Versatile Use:
- This 2-in-1 product can be used as both a shampoo and body wash, making it convenient for bath time and reducing clutter in your bathroom.
7. Aveeno Kids Sensitive Skin Face & Body
Key Features:
- Active Naturals Oatmeal:
- Formulated with active naturals oatmeal, known for its soothing properties, helping to relieve dryness, itching, and irritation associated with eczema.
- Gentle Cleansing:
- Provides a gentle and effective cleanse, removing impurities without stripping the skin of its natural moisture.
- Fragrance-Free:
- Specifically formulated without added fragrance, making it suitable for sensitive skin and minimizing the risk of irritation.
- Colloidal Oatmeal Formula:
- Contains colloidal oatmeal, which forms a protective barrier on the skin, locking in moisture and providing long-lasting hydration.
Benefits:
- Soothes and Relieves:
- The active naturals oatmeal helps soothe and relieve dry, itchy, and irritated skin caused by eczema, providing much-needed comfort.
- Moisturizes and Nourishes:
- The gentle formula helps moisturize and nourish the skin, leaving it feeling soft, smooth, and hydrated.
- Calms Redness and Inflammation:
- The oatmeal-based formula helps calm redness and inflammation associated with eczema, promoting a healthier-looking skin.
- Hypoallergenic and Non-Irritating:
- Aveeno Kids Sensitive Skin Face & Body is hypoallergenic and non-irritating, making it suitable for individuals with sensitive skin or eczema.
- Soap-Free and Gentle:
- The soap-free formula is gentle on the skin and does not disrupt the skin’s natural barrier, maintaining optimal skin health.
Thanks for Your Soap-port
Now that I got that pun out of my system, let me talk to you about eczema.
Managing the symptoms of eczema can give you a hard time.
It’s very exhausting.
There are tons skincare products out there and it can be hard to chose.
But before you go down that rabbit hole again, ask yourself, why is my child or baby’s eczema flaring up.
Did I use a product that had too much fragrance (detergents? cleaning products?)?
Are they developing an allergy?
Maybe their immune system has gotten weaker?
Maybe their meals aren’t as nutritious or whole foods focused?
These are the things you should be focusing on first.
Because no matter what cream or best body washes you buy, your eczema needs to be dealt at the root cause.
This is what I teach parents and adults who are suffering with eczema in my 1:1 XZMA Coaching Program.
If you are struggling, feel stuck or need a little bit of guidance and coaching, you may be the right fit.
Learn more about 1:1 XZMA Coaching Program and book your first Skin Health Audit today!