The short answer
The Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap, Fragrance Free is the pick if you want an antibacterial label on the sink (benzalkonium chloride 0.13%, per Dial), the Dial Kids All-in-1 Body Wash is the everyday bath pick (a plain soap that Dial lists for kids 2 and up; check the label), and the ATTITUDE Foaming Hand Soap for Kids is the plain foaming hand soap, sold as foam “made for small hands” (ATTITUDE). For what the antibacterial label does and does not mean, see the FDA and CDC section below.
Our verdict
Our Top Picks
Most parents who search for an antibacterial soap for their kids want a hand soap or body wash their child will actually use, and they want to know whether “antibacterial” is worth choosing. This guide compares nine picks stocked on Amazon. Three carry an antibacterial active ingredient on a Drug Facts label, and all three use benzalkonium chloride. Five are plain soaps and washes that their makers sell for kids, babies or sensitive skin, or that parents on Reddit report using for their children. The ninth is a duck-shaped foaming dispenser. Every maker’s claim is attributed to the maker, and every owner report to the parent who made it.
What the FDA says about antibacterial soap, and how the CDC says to wash hands and teach kids, is in one place: the FDA and CDC section below. Every other section points back to it.
Soap finder
Find the right soap for your kid
Pick what you need and a price tier. The suggestion is our editorial starting point, drawn from the nine picks below, not a test result. Ages and skin types are the makers' claims; check each label against your child. For what an antibacterial label means, see the FDA and CDC section below.
Tiers are relative to the products in this guide; live prices are in the comparison table below.
Compare the picks
Compare the 9 Picks
Every entry in this table, except the Type, Format and Best for columns (our own grouping), is the maker’s own wording or label for the size we link: the maker’s page, the Drug Facts label the FDA publishes on DailyMed, or the maker’s copy on Amazon. “None listed” means the product has no Drug Facts panel and no antibacterial active ingredient on the pages we read. Read the label on your own bottle, because formulas can change.
Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand SoapAntibacterial Hand SoapAntibacterial label, hands, fragrance-freeFoam pump$19.99 Prime
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Dial Kids All-in-1 Body WashEveryday Kids' Body WashBath time, budgetPump$7.47 Prime
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
ATTITUDE Foaming Hand Soap for KidsKids' Foaming Hand SoapHands, foamFoam pump$8.27 Prime
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Dove Antibacterial Body WashAntibacterial Body WashAntibacterial label, bath timePump$12.79 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Dial Gold Antibacterial Bar SoapAntibacterial Bar SoapAntibacterial label, bar soap, budgetBar$7.29
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
CeraVe Baby Wash & ShampooFragrance-Free WashFragrance-free, bath timeBottle$14.97 Prime
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Babo Sensitive Baby Foaming Hand SoapFragrance-Free Foam SoapFragrance-free, hands, foamFoam pump$10.50 Prime
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Liquid SoapUnscented Castile SoapFragrance-free, refills, bath timeConcentrate$17.17
Evidence: owner reports, no independent test
Besdor Yellow Duck DispenserFun Touchless DispenserHands, foam, funTouchless foam$23.99
Evidence: maker specs only, no independent test
Antibacterial or Plain Soap? What the FDA and CDC Say
This is the one place in this guide for health and safety guidance; every other section points back here. We quote or closely follow the agencies’ own wording, and we give no medical advice beyond theirs.
The FDA’s 2016 rule. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration “issued a final rule in 2016 under which 19 active ingredients, including triclosan and triclocarban, can no longer be marketed in nonprescription consumer antiseptic wash products.” Those products, the FDA says, “include liquid, foam, and gel hand soaps; bar soaps; and body washes” (FDA).
The FDA on preventing illness. In the FDA’s words, “currently there isn’t sufficient evidence to show that over-the-counter (OTC) antibacterial soaps are better at preventing illness than washing with plain soap and water.” Its advice: “Wash your hands with plain soap and water.” (FDA)
What “antibacterial” on a label means now. The FDA says the rule “doesn’t apply to benzalkonium chloride, benzethonium chloride and chloroxylenol,” which “may be used in currently marketed” consumer washes while “manufacturers are conducting new studies and submitting new safety and effectiveness data.” Its tip for spotting one: “a Drug Facts label on a soap or body wash is a sign a product contains antibacterial ingredients” (FDA). Three picks here have a Drug Facts panel, and all three list benzalkonium chloride: the Dial foaming hand soap and the Dove body wash at 0.13%, and the Dial Gold bar at 0.10% (Dial’s pages and the Drug Facts labels on DailyMed for the Dial foam, the Dove wash and the Dial Gold bar). The bacteria percentages printed on these products are their makers’ own claims.
Hand wipes and sanitizer. The FDA rule “does not apply to hand sanitizers, hand wipes or antibacterial soaps used in health-care settings” (FDA). The CDC says “Baby wipes may make your hands look clean, but they’re not designed to remove germs from your hands,” and that “If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol, and wash your hands with soap and water as soon as you can” (CDC).
How the CDC says to wash. The CDC’s five steps (CDC):
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub “for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the ‘Happy Birthday’ song from beginning to end twice.”
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or an air dryer.
How the CDC says to teach kids. “Teach kids the five easy steps for handwashing—wet, lather, scrub, rinse and dry—and the key times to wash hands, such as after using the bathroom or before eating. You can find ways to make it fun, like making up your own handwashing song or turning it into a game.” The CDC adds that “Young children learn by imitating the behaviors of adults in their lives” (CDC).
Labels, eyes and skin. Read the label on whatever you buy and follow its directions and warnings. All three Drug Facts labels here say “For external use only” and warn against contact with the eyes; all three also say to keep the product out of reach of children (Dove’s adds “except under adult supervision”), so supervise young children with them. If your child has eczema, a rash or any other skin condition, or you have any other concern about their skin or body odor, ask your child’s pediatrician or a dermatologist which cleanser to use. A maker’s “hypoallergenic,” “dermatologist tested” or “pediatrician tested” wording does not replace that conversation.
How We Chose Soaps for Kids’ Hands and Bath Time
How this guide was built
built from manufacturer documentation, the Drug Facts labels the FDA publishes on DailyMed and owner reports on Reddit; we have not tested these products ourselves.
What we looked for
- What the label says. A Drug Facts panel with an antibacterial active ingredient, or none. We say which is which for every pick.
- Made for kids, or used by parents. Either the maker sells it for kids, babies or sensitive skin (in the maker’s words, attributed), or parents on Reddit report using it for their children.
- Fragrance-free choices. Four picks are fragrance-free or unscented by their makers’ wording.
- Easy for small hands. Foam pumps, pump bottles and a touchless dispenser, since a child has to work the soap alone at the sink.
- Stocked on Amazon. Each pick was in stock, new, and sold by Amazon.com or by the brand’s own Amazon storefront when we checked.
Where the facts come from, what parents on Reddit use and what we left out, and why
Where the facts come from
We found no independent lab test of any of these products, and none of the pages ranking for this search tests them. So each review rests on the maker’s own page and label, and, where we found one, a named parent’s report. The bacteria figures on the antibacterial picks are the makers’ own claims: Dove says its figure comes from “a clinical wash test vs. E.coli,” and Dial qualifies its figures with “encountered in household settings.” For health questions, see the FDA and CDC section above. Each review’s Evidence line says what its recommendation rests on.
What parents on Reddit use
In the Reddit threads that rank for this search, most of the soaps parents name are not antibacterial products. In an r/moderatelygranolamoms thread asking what soap parents use for their kids, replies named CeraVe baby wash, Dr. Bronner’s baby soap, ATTITUDE, Mustela and others (thread). In r/Parenting, asked about body washes for a preteen or teen with body odor, one parent named Dove’s antibacterial body wash and another a Dial antibacterial bar (thread). In r/ScienceBasedParenting, Dr. Bronner’s came up several times, with one parent calling its castile soap “Definitely not tear free” (thread). These are individual parents’ experiences, quoted in the reviews below, not tests.
What we left out, and why
- Triclosan and triclocarban soaps. See the FDA and CDC section above.
- Hand wipes. The old version of this page listed antibacterial hand wipes; wipes are not soap, and that listing no longer works on Amazon. See the FDA and CDC section above on wipes.
- Color-changing soap. One color-changing foaming soap we found says its foam turns white once hands are “thoroughly cleaned.” Nobody can check that claim at the sink, and the soap is not made for kids, so we left it out.
- A second antibacterial hand soap. Softsoap’s antibacterial liquid soap also lists benzalkonium chloride 0.13% (Softsoap’s Drug Facts label), but it does the same job as the Dial pick without the foam.
- Baby-only washes and dead listings. We left out washes marketed mainly for newborns (for example Mustela’s “Newborn-Safe” gel), and the earlier picks on this page that are no longer sold on Amazon or that came from small sellers with no maker information we could check.
Detailed Reviews
Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap, Antibacterial Hand Soap
Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap
Parents who want an antibacterial label on the hand soap and prefer no fragrance; read the Drug Facts panel first.
$19.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 10, 19:52 UTCVerdict
The pick if you want a label-antibacterial soap at the sink: a fragrance-free foam with benzalkonium chloride 0.13% on its Drug Facts label (Dial).
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Dial product page and Drug Facts label.
Dial calls its Antibacterial & Sensitive Fragrance Free Foaming Hand Wash “hypoallergenic” and “formulated with aloe,” and says the formula “kills more than 99.99% of bacteria” encountered in household settings. That figure is Dial’s own claim; see the FDA and CDC section above for what the FDA says about antibacterial soaps and illness. The label’s active ingredient is benzalkonium chloride 0.13%. Dial also says the formula is pH balanced and dermatologist tested, and made without SLS/SLES, parabens, phthalates and silicones (Dial, on Amazon).
It comes out of the pump as foam. The Drug Facts directions on DailyMed, a label shared across Dial’s foaming antibacterial range, say to “Lather vigorously for at least 30 seconds.” For its warnings, see the FDA and CDC section above.
Against the Babo fragrance-free foam, this is the one to choose if you specifically want an antibacterial active; Babo’s has none and is sold for sensitive skin.
Specs (linked: Fragrance Free, 7.5 fl oz, pack of 6)
Pros
- An antibacterial active ingredient on a Drug Facts label (benzalkonium chloride 0.13%, Dial), with no fragrance
- Ready-made foam from the pump
- Six 7.5 fl oz bottles, enough to stock several sinks
Cons
- Carries Drug Facts warnings (see the FDA and CDC section above)
- Sold here only as a six-pack
- Its bacteria figure is Dial’s own claim, not an independent test
Who should buy it
Parents who want an antibacterial label on the hand soap and prefer no fragrance; read the Drug Facts panel first.
- Type: foaming hand soap
- Active ingredient: benzalkonium chloride 0.13% (Dial)
- Fragrance: fragrance free (Dial)
- Size: 7.5 fl oz per bottle, 6 bottles (Amazon listing)
- Maker’s wording: “hypoallergenic,” “pH balanced,” “dermatologist tested” (Dial)
- Label directions: lather for at least 30 seconds (Drug Facts, DailyMed)
- Price tier: $$
Dial Kids All-in-1 Body Wash, Everyday Kids’ Body Wash
Families who want one inexpensive bottle for a young child's bath and hair; check Dial's age and ingredient label against your child first.
$7.47 from AmazonAs of Nov 10, 19:52 UTCVerdict
A plain kids’ body wash, shampoo and bubble bath in one 32 fl oz pump bottle at an entry-level price, which Dial lists for kids 2 and up.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Dial product page.
Dial sells this as an “all-in-one body wash, hair, and bubble bath” and says it was “tested by pediatric dermatologists” and is “hypoallergenic, tear free, and free from parabens, phthalates, and silicones.” Dial’s Amazon copy calls it “pH balanced” and “Suitable for toddlers and young children ages 2+”; that age is Dial’s, so check the bottle’s label for your child. It is not an antibacterial product: there is no Drug Facts panel or antibacterial ingredient on Dial’s page or the listing.
The 32 fl oz bottle has a pump. The Melon version we link is scented; Dial also sells Citrus, Lavender and Peach. If your child needs a fragrance-free wash, the CeraVe Baby Wash is the alternative here. For more kids’ body washes, see our guide to the best body wash for kids.
Specs (linked: Melon, 32 fl oz)
Pros
- Body wash, shampoo and bubble bath in one pump bottle, from Dial’s kids’ range
- Tear-free and hypoallergenic in Dial’s words, for kids 2 and up by Dial’s Amazon listing
- The lowest-priced liquid bath pick here when we checked, in a 32 fl oz bottle
Cons
- Scented; none of the versions on Amazon or Dial’s page is fragrance-free
- No antibacterial ingredient, if that is what you came for (see the FDA and CDC section above)
Who should buy it
Families who want one inexpensive bottle for a young child’s bath and hair; check Dial’s age and ingredient label against your child first.
- Type: body wash, shampoo and bubble bath in one (Dial)
- Active ingredient: none listed (not a Drug Facts product)
- Fragrance: Melon scent (Dial)
- Size: 32 fl oz, pump (Dial; Amazon listing)
- Maker’s wording: “hypoallergenic, tear free,” “tested by pediatric dermatologists” (Dial); for ages 2+ (Dial, on Amazon)
- Price tier: $
ATTITUDE Foaming Hand Soap for Kids, Kids’ Foaming Hand Soap
ATTITUDE Foaming Hand Soap for Kids
Parents who want a kid-friendly foaming soap for the bathroom sink; check the ingredient list on ATTITUDE's label if your child reacts to fragrance.
$8.27 from AmazonAs of Nov 10, 19:48 UTCVerdict
A plain, scented foaming hand soap sold for kids, with foam ATTITUDE says is “made for small hands” and directions that say to rub for at least 20 seconds (ATTITUDE).
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: ATTITUDE product page.
ATTITUDE sells this as an “EWG Verified® vegan foaming hand soap” with “98.7% naturally sourced ingredients” and calls it “dermatologically tested.” Its Amazon copy says it “Dispenses as ready-made foam so children can lather and rinse on their own,” and lists it as free from parabens, phthalates, SLS, SLES, methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and artificial dyes. ATTITUDE’s directions say “Use 1–2 pumps on wet hands. Rub for at least 20 seconds, then rinse.”
It has no antibacterial active. The Vanilla & Pear version we link is scented (“Fragrance (Parfum)” is on ATTITUDE’s ingredient list); ATTITUDE also sells Blueberry, Mango and Watermelon & Coco. For a fragrance-free foam, the Babo pick is the alternative. More hand-soap choices are in our guide to the best kids’ soap for sensitive hands.
Specs (linked: Vanilla & Pear, 10 fl oz)
Pros
- Ready-made foam that ATTITUDE says lets children “lather and rinse on their own”
- Directions that say to rub for at least 20 seconds (ATTITUDE)
- Entry-level price for a single bottle, and the bottle is refillable (ATTITUDE)
Cons
- Scented; choose the Babo pick for fragrance-free
- No antibacterial ingredient (see the FDA and CDC section above)
Who should buy it
Parents who want a kid-friendly foaming soap for the bathroom sink; check the ingredient list on ATTITUDE’s label if your child reacts to fragrance.
- Type: foaming hand soap (ATTITUDE)
- Active ingredient: none listed
- Fragrance: vanilla and pear scent (ATTITUDE)
- Size: 10 fl oz (ATTITUDE)
- Maker’s wording: “EWG Verified,” “dermatologically tested,” vegan (ATTITUDE)
- Label directions: rub for at least 20 seconds (ATTITUDE)
- Price tier: $
Dove Antibacterial Body Wash, Antibacterial Body Wash
Families with older kids or preteens (the parent quoted was answering a thread about preteen and teen body odor) who want a label-antibacterial body wash; read the Drug Facts panel first.
$12.79 from AmazonAs of Nov 10, 19:52 UTCVerdict
A label-antibacterial body wash (benzalkonium chloride 0.13%) that one Reddit parent uses for a daughter’s body odor; Dove does not describe it as a kids’ product.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Parenting thread: Dove antibacterial body wash, size not stated.
Dove says this body wash “eliminates 99% of bacteria” in “a clinical wash test vs. E.coli,” is “free from harsh sulfates,” and has a “fresh citrus scent.” Those are Dove’s claims; see the FDA and CDC section above for what the FDA says about antibacterial soaps and illness. Its Drug Facts label on DailyMed, filed as Dove Care & Protect Antibacterial Body Wash, lists benzalkonium chloride 0.13%. For its warnings, see the FDA and CDC section above.
In an r/Parenting thread about body washes for a preteen or teen with body odor, a parent who goes by SaltiePopkorn wrote that “Dove makes one & it’s worked out so well for her BO!” about their daughter (thread). That is one family’s experience, and the parent did not say which size. If you are worried about body odor in a young child, see the FDA and CDC section above.
Against the Dial Gold bar, the other label-antibacterial body option, this is a pump-bottle liquid; the Dial is a bar.
Specs (linked: 30.6 fl oz pump)
Pros
- An antibacterial active ingredient on a Drug Facts label in a sulfate-free wash (Dove)
- A big pump bottle for a family shower
- A named parent reports using it for a daughter’s body odor
Cons
- Not described as a kids’ product by Dove, and it carries Drug Facts warnings (see the FDA and CDC section above)
- Scented, with no fragrance-free version listed by Dove
- Its bacteria figure is Dove’s own test, not an independent one
Who should buy it
Families with older kids or preteens (the parent quoted was answering a thread about preteen and teen body odor) who want a label-antibacterial body wash; read the Drug Facts panel first.
- Type: body wash (Dove)
- Active ingredient: benzalkonium chloride 0.13% (Drug Facts, DailyMed)
- Fragrance: citrus scent (Dove)
- Size: 30.6 fl oz, pump (Dove; Amazon listing)
- Maker’s wording: “eliminates 99% of bacteria” in “a clinical wash test vs. E.coli”; sulfate-free (Dove)
- Price tier: $$
Dial Gold Antibacterial Bar Soap, Antibacterial Bar Soap
Dial Gold Antibacterial Bar Soap
Families with older kids or preteens (the parent quoted was answering a thread about preteen and teen body odor) who prefer a bar soap with an antibacterial label; read the Drug Facts panel first.
$7.29 from AmazonAs of Nov 10, 19:46 UTCVerdict
The only bar soap here, with benzalkonium chloride 0.10% on its label (Dial), for families who prefer a bar over a bottle.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/Parenting thread: Dial antibacterial bar, scent not stated.
Dial lists the Gold bar’s active ingredient as benzalkonium chloride 0.10% and says it “eliminates 99.9% of bacteria encountered in household settings” and gives “round the clock odor protection.” Those are Dial’s claims; see the FDA and CDC section above. Its Drug Facts label lists fragrance among the ingredients; for its warnings, see the FDA and CDC section above. Dial says it is dermatologist tested and free from parabens, phthalates and silicones. Each bar is 4 oz.
In the same r/Parenting thread about preteen and teen body odor, a parent who goes by 317ant wrote that “Dial antibacterial is the preferred soap for my boys” and that “This one lathers nice and just smells clean” (thread). The parent did not say which Dial scent. The same parent prefers bars because the kids “waste gels”; a bar can’t be over-pumped, though it can leave soap scum, which that parent also mentions. More bars are in our guide to the best bar soap for kids.
Specs (linked: Gold, 4 oz bar, pack of 8)
Pros
- The only bar here, with an antibacterial active on its Drug Facts label (Dial)
- Eight bars at an entry-level price
- A named parent says their boys prefer Dial antibacterial bar soap, and that it “lathers nice”
Cons
- Scented, and it carries Drug Facts warnings (see the FDA and CDC section above)
- A bar can leave soap scum in the shower (the same parent’s complaint)
- Amazon showed limited stock of this 8-bar pack when we checked
Who should buy it
Families with older kids or preteens (the parent quoted was answering a thread about preteen and teen body odor) who prefer a bar soap with an antibacterial label; read the Drug Facts panel first.
- Type: bar soap (Dial)
- Active ingredient: benzalkonium chloride 0.10% (Dial; Drug Facts, DailyMed)
- Fragrance: Dial Gold scent (Dial)
- Size: 4 oz per bar, 8 bars (Amazon listing)
- Maker’s wording: “dermatologist tested,” “round the clock odor protection” (Dial)
- Price tier: $
CeraVe Baby Wash & Shampoo, Fragrance-Free Wash
Parents who want a fragrance-free wash for a young child's bath and hair; check CeraVe's label against your child's needs.
$14.97 from AmazonAs of Nov 10, 19:52 UTCVerdict
A wash and shampoo that CeraVe makes for babies, fragrance-free and tear-free in CeraVe’s words, that a Reddit parent calls “so gentle”; no antibacterial ingredient.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/moderatelygranolamoms thread: CeraVe baby wash, size not stated.
CeraVe describes it as a “fragrance-free, soap-free, tear-free formula with three essential ceramides,” “developed with pediatric dermatologists,” and free of “parabens, phthalates, sulfates, dyes and fragrance.” CeraVe says it is “Accepted by the National Eczema Association (NEA)” and also says it “does not treat underlying skin conditions.” If your child has eczema or another skin condition, see the FDA and CDC section above. CeraVe sells it in its baby range; the parent quoted below uses it for a 1-year-old. Read the label for your child.
In r/moderatelygranolamoms, a parent who goes by ItsmeKT, replying “Same” to another parent who uses CeraVe baby wash, wrote: “with the wash a little goes a long way. it’s so gentle but my 1 year old smells so clean after” (thread). That parent did not say which size.
Against the Dial Kids wash, this one is fragrance-free and costs more; the Dial is scented and doubles as bubble bath.
Specs (linked: 16 fl oz)
Pros
- Fragrance-free and tear-free by CeraVe’s wording, with ceramides
- National Eczema Association acceptance, per CeraVe
- A named parent reports that “a little goes a long way”
Cons
- Sold in CeraVe’s baby range, not as a kids’ wash
- Costs more than the scented Dial Kids wash
- No antibacterial ingredient (see the FDA and CDC section above)
Who should buy it
Parents who want a fragrance-free wash for a young child’s bath and hair; check CeraVe’s label against your child’s needs.
- Type: wash and shampoo (CeraVe)
- Active ingredient: none listed (CeraVe calls it “soap-free”)
- Fragrance: fragrance-free (CeraVe)
- Size: 16 fl oz (Amazon listing)
- Maker’s wording: “tear-free,” “developed with pediatric dermatologists,” accepted by the National Eczema Association (CeraVe)
- Price tier: $$
Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Foaming Hand Soap, Fragrance-Free Foam Soap
Babo Sensitive Baby Foaming Hand Soap
Parents who want a fragrance-free foaming soap at the sink; read Babo's ingredient list on the bottle.
$10.50 from AmazonAs of Nov 10, 19:52 UTCVerdict
A fragrance-free foaming hand soap that Babo makes for babies and sensitive skin; the plain alternative to the Dial antibacterial foam.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Babo Botanicals product page.
Babo Botanicals calls it an “Extra-mild fragrance-free hand soap for babies and sensitive skin,” “Specifically developed for babies without fragrance or essential oils,” made with manuka oil and shea butter, “Pediatrician Tested” and vegan. Amazon’s listing title adds that it is “For Babies, Kids and Adults with Sensitive Skin.” Those are Babo’s words; if your child has a skin condition, see the FDA and CDC section above. Babo lists the bottle at 8 fl oz.
It has no antibacterial active. Against the ATTITUDE kids’ foam, Babo’s is fragrance-free and costs a little more; ATTITUDE’s is scented but cheaper. Against the Dial foam, Babo’s has no antibacterial ingredient and no Drug Facts panel.
Specs (linked: fragrance-free, single bottle)
Pros
- Fragrance-free foam, made without essential oils (Babo)
- Sold for babies, kids and adults with sensitive skin (Amazon listing title)
- Ready-made foam, like the ATTITUDE pick
Cons
- Cost more than the ATTITUDE foam when we checked, for a smaller bottle (8 fl oz against 10)
- Amazon’s listing shows only an 8-ounce weight, not a fluid-ounce size; we rely on Babo’s 8 fl oz
- No antibacterial ingredient (see the FDA and CDC section above)
Who should buy it
Parents who want a fragrance-free foaming soap at the sink; read Babo’s ingredient list on the bottle.
- Type: foaming hand soap (Babo Botanicals)
- Active ingredient: none listed
- Fragrance: fragrance-free (Babo)
- Size: 8 fl oz (Babo; the Amazon listing shows only an 8-ounce weight, not a fluid-ounce size)
- Maker’s wording: “Extra-mild,” “Pediatrician Tested,” vegan (Babo)
- Price tier: $$
Dr. Bronner’s Baby Unscented Pure-Castile Liquid Soap, Unscented Castile Soap
Dr. Bronner's Baby Unscented Liquid Soap
Parents who want one unscented soap to dilute for the sink, the bath and a foam dispenser; read the label first.
$17.17 from AmazonAs of Nov 10, 19:46 UTCVerdict
A concentrated, unscented “true soap” in a 32 fl oz bottle that Dr. Bronner’s says to dilute (one parent dilutes Dr. Bronner’s, variant not stated, for a foam dispenser); Dr. Bronner’s does not claim it is tear-free.
Evidence: No independent test; owner reports. r/moderatelygranolamoms thread: Dr. Bronner’s baby soap (liquid or bar not stated), size not stated.
Dr. Bronner’s, in its own copy on its Amazon storefront, calls this “a true soap” with “NO SYNTHETIC DETERGENTS OR FOAMING AGENTS,” “fragrance-free,” and “3X MORE CONCENTRATED THAN MOST LIQUID SOAPS: Dilute! Dilute!” It has no antibacterial active. Amazon’s listing shows a “Manufacturer recommended age” of 6 months to 3 years, while Dr. Bronner’s own copy describes it as “made for daily personal care and household use”; read the label and decide for your child.
In the r/moderatelygranolamoms thread asking what soap parents use for their kids, a parent who goes by sweatyfeetsies answered: “Dr bronners baby!” (thread). That parent did not say which size, or whether it was the liquid or the bar. In r/ScienceBasedParenting, a parent who goes by IndowinFTW wrote of Dr. Bronner’s castile soaps in general: “Definitely not tear free, but I like it a lot,” and added that “They have a baby one that doesn’t have any scents/essential oils” (thread). In that thread, a commenter who goes by fitzpugo described a “1:4 parts ratio with water (1 part soap, 4 parts water) in a foam soap dispenser”; if you use a dispenser, follow the dispenser maker’s own mixing instructions.
Against the CeraVe wash, Dr. Bronner’s is a soap rather than a soap-free cleanser, comes in a bigger bottle, and Dr. Bronner’s does not claim it is tear-free; CeraVe says its wash is tear-free. For more bath-time options, see our guide to the best soap for a child.
Specs (linked: Unscented, 32 fl oz)
Pros
- Unscented soap with no synthetic detergents (Dr. Bronner’s)
- Concentrated (Dr. Bronner’s: “3X more concentrated than most liquid soaps”), so a 32 fl oz bottle goes further once diluted
- A named parent uses Dr. Bronner’s baby soap for their kids, and parents in an r/ScienceBasedParenting thread recommend Dr. Bronner’s
Cons
- Dr. Bronner’s does not claim it is tear-free, and one parent calls its castile soap “Definitely not tear free”
- Concentrated, so it needs diluting for most uses (Dr. Bronner’s: “Dilute! Dilute!”)
- Amazon’s listing shows a 6-month to 3-year recommended age, which Dr. Bronner’s own copy does not mention
Who should buy it
Parents who want one unscented soap to dilute for the sink, the bath and a foam dispenser; read the label first.
- Type: castile liquid soap, concentrated (Dr. Bronner’s, on Amazon)
- Active ingredient: none listed
- Fragrance: fragrance-free (Dr. Bronner’s)
- Size: 32 fl oz (Amazon listing)
- Maker’s wording: “a true soap,” “3X more concentrated than most liquid soaps,” “Dilute!” (Dr. Bronner’s)
- Sold by: Dr. Bronner’s storefront on Amazon
- Price tier: $$
Besdor Yellow Duck Automatic Foaming Soap Dispenser, Fun Touchless Dispenser
Parents of young kids who resist the sink and want a touchless dispenser for a liquid soap they already like; follow Besdor's mixing instructions.
$23.99 from AmazonAs of Nov 10, 19:52 UTCVerdict
A duck-shaped touchless foam dispenser for the bathroom sink: it holds whichever liquid soap you choose, diluted with water.
Evidence: No independent test; maker specs. Source: Besdor product page.
Besdor lists the Yellow Duck as an ABS plastic automatic foaming dispenser with a 7.4 oz (220 ml) tank, an infrared sensor that works at 0 to 2 inches, and an IPX4 waterproof rating. It runs on three AA batteries, which Besdor’s Amazon listing says are not included, and the listing says it gives 1.5 ml of foam per use. Besdor’s user guide says to dilute liquid soap with water, not to add “any solid or granular cleaning product,” and gives a 1-year warranty. Its user guide and Amazon listing give different soap-to-water ratios, so follow the instructions in the box.
It is not a soap. Its job is to make the sink more appealing. Fill it with a liquid soap that suits your child, for example diluted Dr. Bronner’s. Besdor sells it on Amazon as “Touchless for Kids” and says its duck design “appeals to children”; whether your child takes to it is up to them. We found no independent test, and the only owner reviews we found are on Besdor’s own store, so this pick rests on Besdor’s specs.
Specs (linked: Yellow Duck)
Pros
- A duck design that Besdor says “appeals to children,” with touchless foam
- Works with the liquid soap you already use, diluted (Besdor)
- 1-year warranty (Besdor)
Cons
- Needs three AA batteries (not included) and refilling, and soap has to be diluted first
- The priciest pick here, and it is not a soap
- No independent test found; rests on Besdor’s specs
Who should buy it
Parents of young kids who resist the sink and want a touchless dispenser for a liquid soap they already like; follow Besdor’s mixing instructions.
- Type: automatic touchless foaming dispenser (Besdor)
- Tank: 7.4 oz (220 ml) (Besdor)
- Power: 3 AA batteries, not included (Besdor)
- Sensor range: 0 to 2 in (Besdor)
- Water rating: IPX4 (Besdor)
- Mix: dilute liquid soap with water (Besdor; follow the ratio in the box)
- Warranty: 1 year (Besdor)
- Price tier: $$$
How to Pick a Soap Your Kid Will Use
Decide on the label first. Three picks here have an antibacterial active ingredient on a Drug Facts label: the Dial foam, Dove body wash and Dial Gold bar, all benzalkonium chloride. Every other soap here is a plain soap or cleanser. For what the agencies say about that choice, see the FDA and CDC section above.
Foam, pump or bar. ATTITUDE says its ready-made foam lets children “lather and rinse on their own”; three picks dispense foam (Dial, ATTITUDE, Babo), and the Besdor dispenser turns diluted liquid soap into foam. Bottles of wash (Dial Kids, Dove, CeraVe) suit the bath. A bar (Dial Gold) can’t be over-pumped.
Fragrance-free or scented. If your child reacts to fragrance, or you’d rather avoid it, four picks are fragrance-free or unscented by their makers’ wording: Dial’s fragrance-free foam, CeraVe, Babo and Dr. Bronner’s. For a child with sensitive or irritated skin, see the FDA and CDC section above.
Tear-free claims. Dial and CeraVe market their washes as tear-free; Dr. Bronner’s does not make that claim for its castile soap, and one parent calls it “Definitely not tear free.”
Make the sink inviting. A foaming pump, a favorite scent or a duck dispenser may help a reluctant child; see the FDA and CDC section above for how the CDC suggests teaching kids. For bath time, our best bubble bath for kids guide covers the fun side of the tub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is a good antibacterial soap for kids?
If you want a product with an antibacterial active ingredient, the three here are the Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap, Fragrance Free for the sink, the Dove Antibacterial Body Wash for the shower, and the Dial Gold bar; all three list benzalkonium chloride on their Drug Facts labels. Before choosing one over a plain soap, see the FDA and CDC section above.
Q. Is antibacterial soap safe for kids?
We quote the FDA rather than answer in our own words: see the FDA and CDC section above for what the FDA says about antibacterial soaps and about the ingredients its 2016 rule covered. For the three label-antibacterial picks here, the same section covers their Drug Facts warnings.
Q. What is a good antibacterial soap for reducing body odor in kids?
We found no test of any soap here for body odor. In an r/Parenting thread on preteen and teen body odor, one parent reported good results with Dove’s antibacterial body wash for a daughter, and another said their boys prefer a Dial antibacterial bar. Dial also markets the Gold bar for “round the clock odor protection.” Those are two parents’ experiences and the maker’s claim. For body odor in a young child, see the FDA and CDC section above.
Q. What is a good medicated soap for kids?
None of the soaps here is a medicated soap for a skin condition. The three with an antibacterial active are consumer antiseptic washes (the FDA’s term), not treatments for a skin condition. If you are looking for a soap for a rash, eczema or infection, see the FDA and CDC section above.
Q. What is the most effective soap for kids?
We found no test comparing these soaps. What the FDA and CDC say about soap choice and about washing technique is in the FDA and CDC section above. For a soap a child will actually use, a foaming pump such as the ATTITUDE kids’ foam or a fun dispenser such as the Besdor duck may help.
Q. What kind of soap should toddlers use?
Go by the maker’s label. Dial lists its Kids All-in-1 wash for ages 2 and up, and CeraVe and Babo make their wash and foam for babies; check each label against your child’s age. If your toddler has sensitive skin or a skin condition, see the FDA and CDC section above.
The bottom line
Final Verdict
If you want an antibacterial label at the sink, the Dial Antibacterial Foaming Hand Soap, Fragrance Free (check price) lists benzalkonium chloride on its Drug Facts panel and is fragrance free (Dial). For everyday bath time, the Dial Kids All-in-1 Body Wash (check price) is an inexpensive plain wash that Dial lists for kids 2 and up, and the CeraVe Baby Wash (check price) is the fragrance-free alternative (CeraVe’s wording). For the sink, the ATTITUDE Foaming Hand Soap for Kids (check price) gives a child ready-made foam, and ATTITUDE’s directions say to rub for at least 20 seconds. Whichever you choose, see the FDA and CDC section above before paying for an antibacterial label.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.
