9 Best Shampoos And Conditioners For Kids, According To An Expert – 2024

Pick the right kids' shampoo and conditioner to target hair issues with gentle care.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Priya Gill, MBBCH, MRCP Dr. Priya Gill Dr. Priya GillMBBCH, MRCP facebook_icon
Written by , MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach Shiboli Chakraborti MA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach Experience: 4 years
Edited by , MA (English Literature), Diploma In Health & Wellness Aditi Naskar MA (English Literature), Diploma In Health & Wellness Experience: 5 years
Fact-checked by , BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Arshiya Syeda BA (Literature & Psychology), PG Diploma Experience: 7 years
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Are you looking for the best shampoo and conditioner for kids? Well, look no further! This article lists the top 9 shampoos and conditioners you can buy for your little ones. Dr Priya Gill, one of Malaysia’s leading Dermatologists says, ” Kids shampoos and conditioners tend to be ‘tear-free’, so parents could switch when the child developmentally is able to wash his or her own hair without getting the product in the eyes, usually around age 8 to 10.”

Since kids have delicate hair and soft skin, buying products that protect and nourish them is essential. Furthermore, you also need shampoos and conditioners that gently cleanse the scalp while maintaining the hair length and texture. To save you and your precious one from countless experiments, we’ve listed the best shampoo and conditioner sets for kids on the market that do not contain harsh chemicals. Scroll down for further information.

Top Picks
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Best Paraben-Free:SheaMoisture Mango & Carrot Kids Extra-Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner
Price on Amazon
Best Hypoallergenic:Fresh Monster Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner
Price on Amazon
Best Tear-Free:Suave Kids 2-in-1 Smoothing Shampoo + Conditioner - Strawberry Blast
Price on Amazon
Best Sulfate-Free:Cantu Care For Kids Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Price on Amazon
Best For Curly Hair:CurlyKids Super Detangle Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Price on Amazon
Best Plant-Based:TotLogic Lavender Bliss Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Price on Amazon
Best Detangling:Luna Star Naturals Klee Kids Enchanted Shampoo & Charmed Conditioner Set
Price on Amazon
Best For All Hair Types:Brynlee For Kids 2-in-1 Detangler Shampoo & Conditioner
Price on Amazon
Best Frizz Control:NOAH Kids Shampoo & Conditioner Detangler Spray for Kids
Price on Amazon

9 Best Shampoos And Conditioners For Kids

1. Best Paraben-Free:SheaMoisture Mango & Carrot Kids Extra-Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner

4.4

This nourishing shampoo and conditioner pack gives your child manageable, smooth, and soft hair. It is enriched with a blend of nourishing ingredients like carrot oil and mango butter with vitamins B5 and E, which moisturize, strengthen, and repair damaged, brittle hair follicles.

The natural ingredients in this combo pack invigorate the child’s scalp and stimulate blood circulation. Organic shea butter hydrates the scalp and hair and locks in moisture. Coconut oil and olive oil seal the hair cuticles, detangle the hair, and keep it frizz-free. The orange blossom soothes sensitive scalps. This nourishing shampoo for kids along with the conditioner helps soothe the scalp and promote healthy hair growth. This video will give you more insights into the natural formula as the reviewer provides genuine information after testing.

Key Ingredients: Mango butter extracts, Carrot oil, and Orange blossom

Pros

  • Amazing scent
  • Softens the hair
  • Long-lasting effects
  • Sulfate-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Contain certified organic ingredients

Cons

  • Greasy conditioner

protip_icon Remember
Do not apply conditioner on the scalp because it will cause build-up, clog the hair follicles, and slow down hair growth. Instead, apply it to the length and tips of the hair.

2. Best Hypoallergenic:Fresh Monster Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner

4.3
Fresh Monster Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner Image: Fresh Monster

This 2-in-1 kids shampoo and conditioner is a tear-free, safe formula. The gentle cleanser is plant-based and gives your child’s hair a soft and silky texture. Although this is a natural shampoo for kids, it suds well. The shampoo and conditioner contain all-natural extracts with a refreshing fragrance and no synthetic scents. It comes in a child-friendly, re-closable pump bottle and is mess-free. This gentle formula is dermatologist-tested to be safe for kids with sensitive skin. To make an informed decision before buying, you can check out this video that details the reviewer’s experience of this natural formula.

Key Ingredients: Watermelon

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free
  • Toxin-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • BPA-free
  • Dye-free
  • Soy-free

Cons

  • May cause tangles.

protip_icon Quick Tip
Gently comb your kid’s hair with a wide-toothed comb after applying the conditioner. This will help spread the conditioner evenly and remove any knots from the hair painlessly.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

With over 2,174 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.

3. Best Tear-Free:Suave Kids 2-in-1 Smoothing Shampoo + Conditioner – Strawberry Blast

4.5

The Suave Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo + Conditioner set comes in a delicious strawberry fragrance. This affordable shampoo cleanses and smoothens the hair in one go. This gentle shampoo for kids aids in detangling the hair and reducing split ends. The no-tears formula leaves your child with clean hair and manageable, ultra-soft locks.

Key Ingredients: Strawberry

Pros

  • Tear-free
  • Dermatologist-tested
  • Opthalmologist-tested
  • Paraben-free
  • Smells great

Cons

  • None

4. Best Sulfate-Free:Cantu Care For Kids Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner Set

4.5
Cantu Care For Kids Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner Set Image: Cantu Care

The shampoo and conditioner from Cantu are tear-free and nourishing products that cleanse the hair and promote hair growth. The gentle shampoo works great on textured hair, nurturing and nourishing fragile curls, waves, and coils. This moisturizing shampoo for kids, with its equally nourishing conditioner, helps hydrate and soften your kid’s hair, making it manageable. Both formulae are powered with shea butter, coconut oil, and honey that provide nutrition and good health to the hair. Click here to check out this YouTuber’s unbiased review.

Key Ingredients: Shea butter, Coconut oil, and Honey

Pros

  • Sulfate-free
  • Mineral oil-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Paraffin-free
  • Propylene-free

Cons

  • Thick conditioner
  • Shampoo doesn’t lather much.

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

The product has received 1,725 positive Amazon reviews from its users, stating its numerous benefits.

5. Best For Curly Hair:CurlyKids Super Detangle Shampoo & Conditioner Set

4.4
CurlyKids Super Detangle Shampoo & Conditioner Set Image: Curlykids

The CurlyKids Super Detangle Shampoo and Conditioner are suitable for kinky, curly, wavy, coily, and frizzy hair. The extra gentle shampoo cleanses curls while detangling the hair. It makes the hair manageable and healthy and brings out its natural shine. This hydrating conditioner for kids moisturizes dry and brittle hair, reduces frizz, and restores luster and shine to the hair without leaving it greasy or sticky. These products make your kid’s hair softer, shinier, and healthier with regular use.

Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Panthenol, and Glycerin

Pros

  • Sulfate-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Petrolatum-free
  • Mineral oil-free

Cons

  • Not tear-free

protip_icon Quick Tip
Place a warm wrung out cloth over your kid’s eyes while you are washing their hair to prevent the shampoo and water from getting into their eyes and causing irritation.

6. Best Plant-Based:TotLogic Lavender Bliss Shampoo & Conditioner Set

4.4
TotLogic Lavender Bliss Shampoo & Conditioner Set Image: Totlogic

The TotLogic shampoo and conditioner are botanical products that are gentle on the scalp and hair. This mild shampoo for kids provides gentle cleansing and contains plant extracts, essential oils, and emollients to nourish and moisturize the hair. It washes away easily without leaving any residue or stripping the natural oils from the hair. The professional-grade conditioner, rich in antioxidants, detangles the hair while nourishing and protecting your child’s delicate scalp. The product is lightly scented with the fragrances of lavender, bergamot, and chamomile.

Key Ingredients: Lavender and Jojoba oil

Pros

  • Smell good
  • Lather well
  • Rinse out easily
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Phthalate-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Plant-based
  • Non-toxic
  • Dye-free
  • DEA-free
  • PEG -free
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • Runny conditioner

7. Best Detangling:Luna Star Naturals Klee Kids Enchanted Shampoo & Charmed Conditioner Set

These products are created with natural and botanical ingredients like soapberries, oats, argan oil, mango butter, nettle leaf extracts, marshmallow extracts, and essential oils. The organic soapberries cleanse the scalp of grime, while the yucca root and oats soothe the scalp.

Nettle contains essential minerals that strengthen the hair. The organic argan oil, coconut oil, and marshmallow root moisturize the hair, and the mango butter and oat proteins repair hair damage. These products keep your child’s hair clean and healthy without drying it out. This natural shampoo and organic conditioner for kids leaves the hair fresh, detangled, and soft.

Key Ingredients: Soapberries, Argan oil, Mango butter, Nettle leaf, Marshmallow extracts, and Lavender, Orange peel, and Lemongrass essential oils

Pros

  • Sulfate-free
  • Polypropylene glycol-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Synthetic dye-free
  • Fragrance-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • Strong fragrance

8. Best For All Hair Types:Brynlee For Kids 2-in-1 Detangler Shampoo & Conditioner

This one is an all-natural 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner for kids. It is suitable for all hair types and detangles your child’s hair, leaving it soft and glossy. This sulfate-free shampoo for kids has a vanilla cupcake fragrance that kids love. The tear-free formula is a unique blend of the purest forms of the ingredients and is safe for children.

Key Ingredients: Organic aloe, Organic marshmallow, Chamomile, Argan, Cilantro, and Rosemary

Pros

  • Tear-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Sulfate-free
  • Phthalate-free
  • Toxin-free
  • Dye-free
  • BPA-free
  • Gluten-free
  • Nut-free
  • Dairy-free
  • Soy-free
  • Cruelty-free
  • Vegan
  • Hypoallergenic

Cons

  • Contains phenoxyethanol

9. Best Frizz Control:NOAH Kids Shampoo & Conditioner Detangler Spray for Kids

NOAH Kids presents a gentle sugar shampoo and conditioner set for children aged 3 to 12. They are powered with vitamin E, milk protein, and sugar that moisturize the hair and soothe delicate scalps. The shampoo contains coconut and olive oil that gently cleanse the hair while maintaining its pH level. The conditioner controls frizz and flyaways and detangles the hair. It offers gentle hydration and moisturization. This duo is suitable for daily use and makes your child’s hair soft and shiny. So if you have been looking for decent products to incorporate into your gentle hair care routine for your kids, then your search ends here.

Key Ingredients: Milk and Sugar

Pros

  • Non-toxic
  • Sulfate-free
  • Paraben-free
  • Silicone-free
  • Paraffin-free
  • Mineral oil-free
  • DEA-free
  • Vegan
  • Cruelty-free

Cons

  • Unpleasant smell
*The prices provided in this article are based on the latest available information. However, they may vary due to changes in pricing by the seller and/or promotional offers.

Your child means the world to you, and you only want the best for them. Hence, follow these basic guidelines when you pick a shampoo and conditioner for your child.

Things To Consider Before Buying Kids’ Shampoos And Conditioners

Check The Ingredients: A good kid’s shampoo should have the necessary proteins and fruit extracts to nourish the hair. The conditioner must include botanical extracts, essential oils, and vitamins to moisturize and protect the kid’s hair from damage and improve scalp health.

  • Look For: Products containing natural ingredients like almond oil, coconut oil, olive oil, aloe vera, avocado, mango, oats, glycerin, or chamomile and lavender essential oils.
  • Avoid: Products containing parabens, sulfates, mineral oil, talc, triclosan, and synthetic dyes and synthetic fragrances.

Also, make sure to opt for a gentle, tear-free formula.

Infographic: Simple Tips To Wash Your Child’s Hair

Hair washing is key to keeping hair looking clean and healthy. However, not washing it the right way can leave your child with damaged and luster-less locks. For instance, using hot water to wash away the shampoo can shift the scalp’s pH to an uncomfortable level and cause irritation and sensitivity. Also, not washing the tresses properly can leave behind product residue and cause frequent tangles or limp hair. Want to know how to wash your children’s hair the right way? Check out the infographic below to learn about it.

Simple Tips To Wash Your Children’s Hair (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

The Bottom Line

Kids have soft and delicate scalp and hair that need safe products and tender care. We suggest you invest in the best shampoos and conditioners for kids that are gentle on the scalp and hair. For a toxin-free, tear-free, and safe formula, choose the Fresh Monster Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo & Conditioner, the Cantu Care For Kids Nourishing Shampoo & Conditioner for extra care and nourishment with its plant-based ingredients, or the TotLogic Lavender Bliss Shampoo & Conditioner Set for its soothing and moisturizing properties. Make sure that the products are free from harmful chemicals and artificial fragrances, and enriched with natural ingredients that are skin-friendly. The products listed in our article detangle the hair, keep the hair frizz-free, minimize the split ends, and provide nutrition to your little ones’ hair. However, stay away from products that have an unpleasant smell or cause a stinging and burning sensation in the eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do children need shampoos and conditioners?

Yes, children need shampoos and conditioners as they are exposed to all sorts of dirt and grime. They also sweat when they are active. A good nourishing cleanser to clear dirt, grime, sweat, and buildup and a conditioner to moisturize, soften, and protect their hair are very important.

How do I choose a kids’ shampoo?

Opt for a tear-free formula for the kids. Always select organic shampoos free of harsh ingredients like parabens, fragrances, and sulfates.

Why are shampoo and conditioner important?

Shampoos cleanse dust, dirt, and bacteria from the scalp, and conditioners moisturize and nourish the hair.

What is the main purpose of a conditioner?

The main purpose of a conditioner is to reduce the friction between the strands during combing. Conditioners provide your strands with a silky, smooth texture that can be managed easily post-washing.

What are the side effects of shampoo?

Using shampoo regularly can dry out your scalp and fade your hair texture and shine. Additionally, shampooing frequently can cause split ends and hair breakages.

Can my child use a regular shampoo rather than a kid’s shampoo?

No. Regular shampoos are formulated with harsh surfactants that might irritate the soft scalps of the kids and dry the hair. Shampoos not meant for kids may also cause eye irritation.

Does a kid’s shampoo sting a child’s eyes?

No. The pH level of baby shampoo is 7, the same as water. Therefore, a kid’s shampoo does not sting a child’s eyes.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a hair care enthusiast and loves helping readers choose the most effective and suitable hair care products by reviewing and researching them thoroughly. Kids’ hair is delicate and requires utmost care. So, she consulted numerous product reviews on various trusted online forums to make this comprehensive list of the best shampoos and conditioners for kids. This list consists of the products that are gentle on your kids’ hair and can cleanse the hair perfectly.


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