Can Adults Use These Popular Baby Shampoo and Conditioner?

Washing and brushing your baby’s hair has surely left you a little envious of those soft, luscious little tufts of hair. And, if that brand keeps your little one’s hair beautiful, perhaps you’ve wondered if adults can use baby shampoo or conditioner products.

In short, yes, adults can use a baby shampoo or conditioner. Surprisingly, despite many adult products on the market, many adults prefer using baby shampoo, conditioner, and a host of other baby products on themselves! The main reason is that baby products are gentler on the skin and don’t contain harsh chemicals.

Difference between a shampoo or conditioner for babies vs adults

Before you opt for switching your regular shampoo for a gentler baby version, it’s important to consider the differences between a  baby and a regular shampoo. 

Features	Baby shampoo	Regular shampoo
Sulfates	Contains no sulfates and isn’t as harsh on hair	Contains sulfates to create a lathering effect and remove oil and dirt from your hair which can also make hair dry
pH level	Ph level is more neutral – usually, around 6 or 7 – to prevent burning or stinging	Adult shampoo contains an average pH ranging up to 9.0. Straightener options can have a pH anywhere between 11.0 to 14 – making it incredibly strong!
Surfactants	Baby shampoos contain non-ionic or amphoteric surfactants (much milder than those in regular shampoo) to break down dirt	Used to break down dirt particles as water alone won’t break down all types of dirt particles
Liquid dilution	Chemicals are more diluted to minimize irritation and burning if it accidentally gets into the eyes or mouth	Chemicals are less diluted, and therefore more prone to burning skin or causing skin irritation
Synthetic surfactants	Synthetic surfactants are the ingredients that make baby shampoos tear-free	Contains strong chemicals that work to clean harsh dirt from hair and can also burn eyes
Dyes & parabens	Most baby shampoos are free of the chemicals and dyes that give regular shampoo their colors and fragrances	Regular shampoos contain dyes, scents, parabens, and a host of other chemicals with claims that they make your hair feel better but it could often burn or dry out your scalp resulting in hair loss or brittle hair

My top 3 choices – baby shampoo for adults

1. Johnson’s Baby Shampoo with Tear-free Formula
2. Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Gentle Bath Wash & Shampoo
3. Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo

Can you use these popular brands’ baby shampoo as an adult?

With the many baby shampoo brands out there, you might be wondering if certain brands are better for adult hair than others. Or, you received so much baby shampoo at your baby shower, you might also be wondering if baby shampoo or baby wash expires, in which case you’ll have to start using it too so it doesn’t go to waste. I’ve listed a few of the more popular options that adults enjoy using! 

Johnson & Johnson baby shampoo for adults?

Adults can use Johnson & Johnson on their hair and many people do because it’s mild. When it comes to baby products, Johnson & Johnson might very well be the most famous brand on the market! It’s Johnson’s Baby Shampoo with Tear-Free Formula Hair Shampoo option is ideal for use with sensitive skin, is hypoallergenic, and doesn’t contain any dyes or parabens. And of course, there’s that famous smell! 

Aveeno baby shampoo for adults?

Adults can definitely use Aveeno baby shampoo for their hair. If you’re looking for a hypoallergenic, soap-free, and tear-free option, look no further than Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Gentle Bath Wash & Shampoo. While Aveeno does make shampoos for adults, many people prefer the baby range because it’s pH balanced and features extensive natural oat extracts which not only cleanse but moisturize as well. 

Cetaphil baby shampoo for adults?

Cetaphil baby shampoo is great for adult hair. If you like the gentleness of a tear-free shampoo, you might want to consider the Cetaphil Baby Wash & Shampoo. Aside from leaving no soapy residue in your hair, it’s also great for hair that needs some natural hydration. The glycerine locks in moisture and keeps your scalp soft. This is another popular choice for people suffering from sensitive skin. 

Himalaya baby shampoo for adults?

For adults with sensitive scalps, you can use Himalaya baby shampoo. All Himalaya products are free from parabens, colors and synthetic additions. The Himalaya Gentle Baby Shampoo contains natural ingredients such as hibiscus and chickpea and works well to hydrate and moisturize babies’ and adults’ scalps!

Burt’s Bees baby shampoo for adults?

The Burt’s Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash is great for adults as it’s 98.9% natural and doesn’t contain any harmful chemicals. It offers a fresh scent and leaves skin feeling soft. Suitable for the whole family! 

Cerave baby shampoo for adults?

The CeraVe Baby wash & shampoo is a 2-in-1 shampoo and body wash that carries the NEA Seal of Acceptance, meaning it’s recognized by the National Eczema Association. It’s one of the better baby shampoo options to use for eczema-prone skin on babies, toddlers, and even adults.

Honest shampoo and body wash for adults?

If you’re looking for soft, silky hair that’s easy to brush, then you should try The Honest Company Truly Calming Lavender Shampoo + Body Wash. The not-so-secret ingredient here is lavender. It works wonders on dry, itchy skin and its mild formula can easily clean you and your little one from head to toe without side effects. 

Mustela shampoo for adults?

The Mustela Baby Gentle Cleansing Gel – Baby Hair & Body Wash option has a reputation for being great with babies’ sensitive skin! In fact, it’s so great, adults with sensitive skin are loving it as well. Since Mustela products contain plant-based ingredients, you and your baby’s skins are well-nourished and protected without much risk of allergic reactions. 

Benefits of using baby shampoo and conditioner for adults

Aside from the natural, gentle smell, your hair will gain from switching to your favorite baby shampoo, there are a few other benefits you can look forward to.

Good for hair loss

Harsh chemicals in regular shampoos tend to strip your skin and hair of its natural moisture and oils. This results in dry, brittle hair that breaks easily. It also damages the follicles causing excessive hair loss. One of the better baby shampoo choices to use to combat hair loss is Aquaphor Baby Wash and Shampoo.

Good for sensitive skin

Many regular shampoos claim to have moisturizing features but the truth is, they still contain the harsh parabens, surfactants, and sulfates that cause the skin to flare up. Since baby shampoo works well on your baby’s sensitive skin, there’s no reason not to trust that gentleness on your own hair! 

Baby shampoo is also great for adults with skin allergies since it’s often primarily created with natural ingredients. An option that works well for sensitive adult skin is Baby Dove Tip to Toe Baby Body Wash for Sensitive Skin. 

Can combat dandruff

Combating dandruff by using baby shampoo might not work for everyone. There are however people who swear by it, claiming the ultra-gentleness of baby shampoo softens your scalp and easily rinses away the dry skin flakes associated with dandruff. One of the more popular options for this is Mustela Foam Shampoo for Newborns. While it’s essentially used to treat cradle caps, many parents claim it works wonders for their dandruff!

Good for itchy scalp

Few people realize that itchy adult scalps are primarily caused by the harsh chemicals in regular shampoos. The strong chemicals found in so-called designer shampoos actually have a high pH level and as a result, dry out your hair. 

This is why some people jump from brand to brand trying to find the best shampoo for their hair. Excessively dry scalps can result in hair follicle damage and dandruff. Gentler baby shampoo keeps your hair clean without the burn! A popular baby brand to consider for an itchy scalp is Dr. Eddie’s Happy Cappy Daily Shampoo for Dry, Itchy Skin. 

Can adults use other baby hair products?

If you love the effect baby shampoo has on your hair, you might be wondering about the use of other baby hair products. Let’s face it, we already enjoy so many other baby products like oil, Pampers Aqua Pure or Water wipes, gripe water, and even sunscreen. Some other baby hair products you can enjoy include the following:

Detangling spray

Detangling spray is a blessing to any parent who needs to struggle with knots in their little one’s hair. If you suffer from the occasional knot yourself, why not try the Honest Company Sweet Orange Vanilla Conditioning Detangler on your own hair? 

Made without any parabens, dyes or synthetic fragrances, this detangler is ideal for anyone in the family. Its conditioning properties moisturize as it works! 

Here is some great moisturizing shampoo for your baby’s hair (and yourself) if you’re looking for some! 

Conditioner

Everyone’s hair can benefit from good conditioning and using one that doesn’t contain parabens and other harsh chemicals can only be a plus. Johnson’s Curl Defining Tear-Free Kids’ Leave-in Conditioner is hypoallergenic and much milder than adult products! 

Nourishing hair oil

Many parents use hair oil to massage their baby’s scalp to promote stronger and shinier hair. The Mamaearth Nourishing hair oil for babies is made with natural ingredients such as coconut and lavender oil. It’s great for combating dry skin and dandruff for all hair types for users of all ages! 

Hair taming matte cream

If you and your baby have the same tendency to have bedhead (messy hair) a product that’s quite popular is T is for Tame – Hair Taming Matte Cream. Since it’s made from organic coconut oil & Jojoba it’s one of the best ways to settle wild hair. It’s a lot gentler than regular mousse and gels. Not only is it gentle, but it’s also suitable for all ages and hair types!

How to make bath time less stressful 

Even with all these amazing products on hand, if you’re new to parenting, you might be struggling to wash your baby’s hair. Sometimes it takes some getting used to – for you and the baby! Watch this short clip for some tips from the Mount Sinai Parenting Center to guide you and make bath time a little less stressful for both of you.

Takeaway

While there are people who believe that baby shampoo isn’t good for your adult hair, there’s no rule that says you can’t use it! If you’re using baby shampoo for the smell and cleaning benefits, it’s a wise buy. Just note that baby shampoo isn’t always strong enough to do damage repair to split ends.

Handy tip: before you rush out and buy your own favorite brand of baby shampoo, wash your hair with some of your baby’s and see the results for yourself! If your hair isn’t already damaged, there’ll be no harm in using it – you might end up with a solution to your dry, itchy scalp! And of course, there’s that awesome baby shampoo scent!

Last update on 2024-04-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API