Not all bubble baths are safe — these are the ones you can actually trust

NBC News

14-03-2025

Bathtime is a childhood habit that's followed me into adulthood. But as an older sister and cousin, I know there's a significant difference between the products I use and what they can safely use. Most bubble bath soaps for kids have multiple labels indicating 'kid-safe,' 'tear-free' and more, but what do those terms really mean, and why are they important?
'Children have thinner skin than adults, and their skin may react more to allergens, sun exposure and irritation,' says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp. 'Kid-friendly is a marketing term that brands use to signal that the product is formulated to be more gentle.'
To help you find the best bubble bath soaps for the child in your life, I spoke to dermatologists and pediatricians about what to look for in a soap and how to protect your child's skin while they have fun. I also compiled a list of their recommendations to shop.
How I picked the best kid-safe bubble bath soaps
Unlike body washes, which focus on cleansing the skin, bubble bath soaps are made to create non-drying, gentle bubbles during bathtime. When shopping for these soaps, the experts I spoke to recommend considering the following:
Gentle formulas: When you see labels indicating a bubble bath soap is hypoallergenic and tear-free, it means that it is free of common irritants that would irritate your child's eyes, skin and scalp, experts say. You'll want to find soaps free of harsh chemicals and surfactants (cleansing agents). More on this below.
Fragrance/fragrance-free: Many of my experts recommend fragrance-free options to avoid irritating your child's skin, especially if they have sensitive, eczema-prone skin. However, some skin types can handle gentle fragrances, and some individuals prefer mild scents. My list includes both fragrance-free and fragranced options.
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The best kid-safe bubble bath soaps
Below, I compiled bubble bath soaps experts say are safe for kids. Every option on this list is tear-free and made with gentle ingredients.
'I really like CeraVe Baby Wash and Shampoo as it is both tear-free and fragrance-free and is extremely gentle,' says Dr. Jocelyn Gandelman, a board-certified dermatologist who uses this for her toddler with very sensitive skin. You can add this to your bath to make it bubble, and it's great to use for children of all ages. It is also safe for adults with sensitive skin, she says.
'Babyganics makes a hypoallergenic, clean formulation that produces a good number of bubbles,' says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Donna Hart. Many reviewers with children who have sensitive skin say this is an excellent option because the bubbles are abundant, but they don't sting or cause any discomfort or irritation on their child's reactive skin. To get lots of bubbles, you may need to use a few extra pumps of soap depending on your child's preference and your bathtub size, reviewers say.
Although they don't take bubble baths frequently, my younger brothers (ages 8 and 11) love using this Aveeno bubble bath soap because it creates big, fluffy bubbles. It has a light fragrance; however, after they rinse off, my brothers don't experience any irritation or dryness, which is crucial because they have sensitive, eczema-prone skin.
This bubble bath soap is suitable for the entire family, including babies, children and adults. Reviewers especially love the subtle lavender fragrance because it helps them wind down before bedtime and helps transition them to the final step of the night. This tear-free soap has a 4.7-star average rating from over 34,100 reviews on Amazon.
For children who want the occasional bath, Gandelman recommends this option because it creates large traditional bubbles while also being tear- and fragrance-free. The soap, suitable for sensitive skin, includes soothing ingredients like aloe and is free of common irritants like dyes and parabens, according to the brand.
Editor's pick: Tubby Toad Bubble Bath
My aunts and I love using Tubby Todd's Bubble Bath on my younger cousins (who are babies, toddlers and elementary-aged) because it's gentle, hydrating and doesn't leave any residue on their skin. We also love that a little goes a long way because you only need roughly two pumps to create enough bubbles that last the entire bathtime. For my cousins with sensitive skin, we love using the fragrance-free version, and for those who are older and have less delicate skin, we use the Sweet Quince + Honeysuckle option. The scent isn't overwhelming and doesn't irritate their skin.
Mustela's bubble bath soaps have avocado to help moisturize your child's skin, says Hart. It also has additional ingredients (91% of it is plant-based) that help maintain the skin's water balance and hydrate it, according to the brand.
This option targets most of the senses (sight, smell and touch) because it has a fragrance, creates frothy bubbles and has a blue color. Reviewers say that although it has a blue tint, it doesn't irritate their child's skin or stain their bathtubs.
Another option Gandelman loves to use for her toddler is this body wash, which is available in liquid and bar soap form. 'I prefer [body washes] to traditional bubble bath makers as they do not have as much surfactants or fragrance,' she says. Since this isn't a traditional bubble bath soap, Gandelman takes a whisk (like one you would use for cooking) to mix up the body wash in the tub to create the bubbles — a tip she learned on Reddit that actually works.
This bubble bath soap, best for ages 2 to 12, doubles as a shampoo and body wash. Reviewers say it's gentle for their kid's skin and hair, and they love that it's a solution for every aspect of bath time. They also say the scented options smell fresher compared to most artificial-smelling soaps. It has a 4.7-star average rating from over 90 reviews on Dabble & Dollop.
This kid-safe bubble bath soap, which has a 4.7-star average rating from over 8,500 reviews on Amazon, is suitable for all skin types and creates bubbles that moisturize and nourish the skin, according to the brand. Not only do reviewers love that the bubbles are gentle on their babies' and kids' skin, but they also love how many bubbles it produces, with some only needing one cap/pump of soap per bath.
Key ingredients: coconut oil, shea butter | Fragrance options: coconut chamomile, coconut strawberry, eucalyptus mint, lemon lavender | Size: 32 fl oz.
How to shop for kid-safe bubble bath soaps
Tear-free
Although tear-free is a marketing term with no clear-cut definition, there is testing that products undergo to determine whether or not they will prevent your child's eyes from burning, according to experts in our guide to the best shampoos for kids. All of my experts recommend choosing tear-free formulas for kid-friendly bubble bath soaps, especially if you have younger kids, says Hart.
Tear-free also indicates that it's free of harsh surfactants (the cleansing agents responsible for creating bubbles), including sulfates. Instead, they rely on alternatives (like plant-based surfactants such as sodium lauroyl methyl isethionate) to fill baths with the same amount of bubbles.
pH balanced
The skin has a slightly acidic pH, and since soaps tend to be more alkaline products, they have the potential to shift that pH level. That's why it's essential to look for bubble bath soaps that are balanced to maintain the skin at its regular level. By doing so, you avoid disrupting the balance of microorganisms on the skin and skin barrier, according to Camp.
Hypoallergenic
If you see this label, it means that the bubble bath soap is made without ingredients known to potentially cause skin irritation, says Camp. Some common irritants include fragrances, dyes, surfactants, detergents and preservatives, he says.
Why trust NBC Select?
I'm an associate reporter who covers new product launches, skin care, hair care and more, including recent stories on the best body lotions for mature skin and the best shampoos for dry hair. For this story, I interviewed three board-certified dermatologists to find out about bubble bath soaps for kids and how to bathe them to protect and maintain their skin properly. I also compiled a list of their recommendations, NBC Select-staff favorites and highly rated options that align with expert guidance.