Is it time to retire “Johnson’s Baby Shampoo as the default” and actually examine what we’re prioritizing?
I’ve been here long enough to see Johnson’s recommended for almost everything: newborn baths, cradle cap, eyelid scrubs, toddler body wash, even as a “gentle” cleanser for eczema. I’m not anti-brand, but I don’t see many of us questioning the assumptions behind “no more tears” and “gentle,” especially for babies with sensitive skin. A few uncomfortable questions I’d love this group to tackle with evidence and real-world outcomes:
- Tear-free vs skin barrier: Tear-free formulas are usually buffered closer to neutral for eye comfort, but infant skin thrives at a slightly acidic pH. Are we trading ocular comfort for prolonged disruption of the acid mantle on scalp/skin? Anyone have actual pH measurements of the current formulas?
- Surfactants and allergens: The classic “gentle” surfactants are often cocamidopropyl betaine and ethoxylated surfactants. CAPB is a known contact allergen in a subset of kids. For families who patch-tested positive or suspect sensitivity, what truly CAPB-free baby shampoos have worked, and did eczema improve?
- Fragrance and “sleep” lines: Fragrance allergens (linalool/limonene) are still common in baby products, and some “sleep” versions add essential oils. Are we just perfuming bath time and hoping for placebo sleep effects? Any fragrance-free switches that reduced nighttime itching/restlessness?
- Cradle cap reality check: Does Johnson’s actually move stubborn scale, or do you end up over-washing to compensate? What’s worked better-oil pre-soak plus a different surfactant, or spacing out shampoo days? Anyone compare with a mild acidic cleanser on the scalp?
- Eyelid scrubs status quo: Pediatricians and ophthalmologists used to push diluted baby shampoo for blepharitis. Newer guidance favors hypochlorous acid or lid wipes. Parents who switched-did styes/meibomian issues improve?
- Formulation drift by country: Same bottle name, different ingredient lists depending on region. If you travel or moved countries, did your child react differently? Which batch codes/regions were fine vs problematic?
- Contaminant vigilance: The company says they’ve removed formaldehyde donors/parabens and reduce 1,4-dioxane to trace. Has anyone seen independent lab data on current lots? Any dermatology/allergy clinics tracking reactions pre- and post-reformulations?
- Overbathing creep: Do “ultra-gentle” claims encourage daily shampooing that actually worsens dryness/eczema? What bathing cadence balanced cleanliness with skin peace for your family, especially in hard-water areas?
- Environmental and practical angles: Are there genuinely biodegradable, fragrance-free alternatives (liquid or bar) that rinse well in hard water? And does pump vs flip-top actually matter for contamination with grabby little hands?
If you ditched Johnson’s (or came back to it), what made the difference? Please include:
- Child’s age and skin history (eczema, cradle cap, none)
- Water hardness
- Exact product variant and region
- Frequency of use
- What changed after switching (good or bad)
Bonus: If anyone has pH strips or can share ingredient labels from different countries, it’d be great to compile a parent-sourced snapshot. I’m not trying to bash a brand-just tired of “we’ve always done it this way” when a lot has changed in skin science and formulations.
