# Baby wash for dry skin

Source: HiveTried, https://hivetried.com/baby/baby-wash/for-dry-skin/
Category: Baby > Baby wash and shampoo. Updated 2026-10-08. Based on 262 counted first-hand reports from Target shopper reviews, Aug 2013 to Oct 2026.

**Question:** Which baby wash is good for dry skin?

**Short answer:** Cetaphil Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash has the best record for dry skin: 33 of 37 parents said their baby's skin felt softer or less dry. Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bath Wash has the highest share at 15 of 16, from a smaller group of parents. Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash is the exception at 8 of 18, while the rest sit well above it.

**What stands out:** Dryness complaints cluster on one wash: 25% of Pipette reviews say it dried their baby's skin, against 5% for Cetaphil and 8% for Aveeno Cleansing Therapy.

## Ranking (parents who said whether it worked)

| Rank | Product | Softer skin | Share | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cetaphil Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash | 33 of 37 | 89% | yes |
| 2 | Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bath Wash | 15 of 16 | 94% | yes |
| 3 | Baby Dove Fragrance Free Moisture Wash | 20 of 22 | 91% | yes |
| 4 | CeraVe Baby Wash & Shampoo | 12 of 13 | 92% | yes |
| 5 | Aveeno Baby Cleansing Therapy Moisturizing Wash | 23 of 27 | 85% | yes |
| 6 | Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash | 8 of 18 | 44% | no |

Ranked by the lower bound of a 90% Wilson confidence interval, so a product needs a high share and enough reports to rank high. An Amazon link is shown only when at least 60% say it works.

## Product notes

### 1. Cetaphil Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash

More parents weighed in on this wash than on any other here, and 51% of its reviews praise the scent. 9% find it too strong, and 6% say it stung their baby's eyes.

- Praised for: Smells nice (51%), Gentle (22%), Lathers well (13%)
- Complaints: Scent too strong (9%), Skin reaction (6%), Stung baby's eyes (6%)
- Reports counted: 79

### 2. Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bath Wash

Nearly every parent who mentioned dry skin was happy (15 of 16), though it's a smaller group. 45% of reviews praise the scent and 16% mention softer skin.

- Praised for: Smells nice (45%), Gentle (23%), Lathers well (10%)
- Reports counted: 31

### 3. Baby Dove Fragrance Free Moisture Wash

20 of 22 parents said it helped dry skin. Reviews call it gentle (31%) and good value (10%), and a few find it thin or watery (5%).

- Praised for: Gentle (31%), Lathers well (10%), Good value (10%)
- Complaints: Thin or watery (5%)
- Reports counted: 39

### 4. CeraVe Baby Wash & Shampoo

A smaller group weighed in, and 12 of 13 said it helped their baby's dry skin. 35% of reviews call it gentle and 18% say it lathers well.

- Praised for: Gentle (35%), Lathers well (18%)
- Reports counted: 17

### 5. Aveeno Baby Cleansing Therapy Moisturizing Wash

Target parents mostly say it works, at 23 of 27, and reviews copied from Aveeno's site come in at 8 of 8, which we show but don't count. Complaints are scattered: 8% say it dried skin and 8% mention a skin reaction.

- Praised for: Gentle (13%)
- Complaints: Skin reaction (8%), Too expensive (5%)
- Reports counted: 40

### 6. Pipette Baby Shampoo & Wash

Parents were split, and it has the weakest record here at 8 of 18. 25% of reviews say it dried skin and 28% mention a skin reaction. Reviews copied from Pipette's site are kinder at 4 of 5, which we show but don't count.

- Praised for: Gentle (20%), Lathers well (15%), No tears or stinging (8%)
- Complaints: Skin reaction (28%), Thin or watery (10%), Stung baby's eyes (5%)
- Reports counted: 40

## Questions

**Which baby wash is good for dry skin?**

Cetaphil Baby 2-in-1 Shampoo & Body Wash has the best record (33 of 37), followed by Aveeno Baby Calming Comfort Bath Wash (15 of 16) and Baby Dove Fragrance Free Moisture Wash (20 of 22).

**Can baby wash dry out my baby's skin?**

Some parents said so. 25% of Pipette reviews say it dried their baby's skin, far more than for the other washes here. Many parents also keep baths short and lukewarm and use just a little wash.

**Is Cetaphil Baby 2-in-1 good for dry skin?**

Parents mostly say yes: 33 of 37 said it left their baby's skin softer or less dry. If stinging eyes worry you, see our page on baby wash that doesn't sting eyes, where parents who wrote about eyes were much less happy with it.

**When should I ask the pediatrician about my baby's dry skin?**

Ask your pediatrician about dry patches that crack, bleed, ooze, or don't improve, or about any rash. At bath time, keep a hand on your baby and never leave a baby alone in the bath, not even for a second.

## Method

HiveTried counts first-hand reports only, drops reviews written for free products, shows brand-site reviews without counting them, and never accepts payment for placement. Full method: https://hivetried.com/how-we-count/