Children’s shampoo and body wash. Should they be scented?

[AlJalilia]

Hello, I wanted to get your opinion on this. I am looking to sell a range of children’s toiletries. I have a formula for shampoo and body wash bars but I am struggling with the scent. If I do add one, it will have to be an essential oil. I like the idea of tangerine, but not sure what else. I am thinking maybe they don’t need to be scented, but I don’t know.

Would really appreciate some views, thanks.

Lavender is nice for bed time. Tangerine is nice too, or a fruit salad scent!
But, "body wash bars"... that's a bar of soap, isn't it?

No, but I don’t agree with children’s shampoos and body washes, plain water is just fine. I never used anything on my dds when they were younger and all had beautiful soft hair and skin.

@AliceMcK how on earth do you keep your DC clean with plain water? Don’t they ever get dirty?

[quote AlJalilia]@AliceMcK how on earth do you keep your DC clean with plain water? Don’t they ever get dirty?[/quote]
What do you think water dose? You don’t need products to clean.

One of my daughters likes strawberry or coconut. The other likes apple.

@AliceMcK So you don't use soap?
What about clothes washing and the dishes?

You need soap, it has a specific function in cleaning.

OP we just use Sanex

@AliceMcK so if you get bodily fluids on skin you wash with water only?

Not lavender. It can be very overpowering.

[quote RiverSkater]@AliceMcK So you don't use soap?
What about clothes washing and the dishes?

You need soap, it has a specific function in cleaning.

OP we just use Sanex [/quote]
I said I didn’t agree with using children’s shampoos and body washes, plain water is fine for small children.

But seeing as you brought it up, I only ever use plain water to wash one of my DDs clothes because she has sever eczema, her clothes are washed separately after the machine has been cleaned with a hot white vinegar wash.

[quote Floraflower3]@AliceMcK so if you get bodily fluids on skin you wash with water only? [/quote]
For small children, yes, I only ever bathed them with water. What exactly do you think products add to washing body fluids off with water?

I love scent as an adult but I don't think children's products need to be at all. All essential oils carry a risk of irritation. It's not worth risking that for something that appeals to the parent. Plus don't most of us think our children smell wonderful 😆

*@AliceMcK detergents to help emulsify dirt? I will now bore off being sciency and answer the OP , if adding scent baby powder scent!

@Floraflower3 I am also from a science background and find it astonishing that someone considers plain water sufficient to clean a child. The amount of germs that children pick up... it makes me feel ill just thinking about it.

I personally prefer scentless - I have reactive skin so use Simple myself and have always also used only small amounts of it for DD. She too comes out in an itchy rash any time she uses bubble bath or a bath bomb, sadly! I would really have appreciated a kids’ range which was scentless or had only a small amount of scent.

I rememeber being told by midwives/HV to just use plain water and cotton wool initially and that we shouldn't use Johnsons etc.... and then wondered at what point to move to soap!

Everything that is supposed to be scent free actually has a scent but it’s just not pleasant.
My children use scented products. Little aurelia, Bonpoint & Barbara Sturm so not cheap but they’re lovely and one bottle lasts for 6 months for several children.
Not clean on lavender as much. Just a very light warm scent is preferable.

Soap is very necessary for removing germ & bodily fluids. It’s needed to break down the grease . Nothing but water may suffice for a newborn but not beyond that surely.

I prefer no scent. The DC like fruity smells.

But I'm another water only on young kids!

When my dcs were little, Cosmetics To Go (which later evolved into Lush) made a wonderful childrens' body bar which had a very delicate marigold scent. I loved that and was very sad when it was discontinued. They also made a cornflour based baby powder which was great as well. If I buy bubbles or shampoo for dgs, it tends to be the orange scented Child's Farm range.

Strawberry or apple scent would be nice. I'd never clean urine, faeces and vomit off skin with just 'plain' water, what a ridiculous comment from pp.

Thanks for all your replies. The target age range is 3-12 years, if that helps at all.

@AlJalilia

Thanks for all your replies. The target age range is 3-12 years, if that helps at all.

Definitely fruity then. Tangerine is a good shout. I always loved the tangerine body shop shower gel.

I'm with @AliceMcK - just water for tiny ones. And a plain oil or aqueous cream when they're out.

Hate kids stuff that has scent in. Why would you knowingly give them an irritant?

Little Aurelia and Child's Farm use so much plastic and it will almost all end up in landfill. I am hoping to offer an alternative.

Another one that only uses water for my 2 year old in the bath. I will use soap on his hands if they're muddy etc, but nothing on his body as recommended by his dermatologist, and I just use water on reusable wipes for hands and bottom.

It keeps his eczema under control, he's rarely ill, has never had a stomach bug and bizarrely friends and family are always commenting on how nice he smells, so the world hasn't ended yet.

Ooh I didn’t know that about little Aurelia. Lots of lavender so won’t be buying again anyway but nice whilst we’ve had it.

I’m assuming the water only advice would be in regards to children with problematic skin? My eight year old is very sweaty and smells of BO after PE etc. How could I get rid of that smell with just water? I’m genuinely perplexed