Whether it's washing their hair in the bath with bath toys to distract them, or cleaning their hair after a long day at the beach or the swimming pool, tangles can be an inevitable part of washing your child's hair. Especially if your child already has enviable thick locks, that can lead to less enviable tangles. Most of us will have dealt with the parent guilt as you brush through knots and tangles, trying not to tug too hard but inevitably failing. Thankfully, there is a way to stop this. Tangle-free shampoo for kids - the easiest way to keep your little ones locks clean and soft.
Tangle-free shampoo is formulated to remove any knots and tangles forming in their hair during the washing process. You use it like a normal shampoo, but while your little one is enjoying their bubble bath, tangle-free shampoo will be working some magic. Whether your child has curly hair, or just thicker, longer locks, tangle-free shampoo can keep the knots at bay - plus, because it will also be formulated for kids, it's gentle on their sensitive scalps (similar to baby shampoo).
With so many different tangle-free shampoo options for kids out there, it can be hard to pick out the best hair product for your child. It may depend on their hair type, or the ingredients included. It may even come down to the scent, as many children have their favourites (we can't blame them - we definitely did as kids too). But don't stress too much, we're here to make picking out a tangle-free shampoo a lot easier for you.
Editor's Choice
• Best scented tangle-free shampoo: L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2in1 Very Berry Strawberry Shampoo
• Best tangle-free shampoo for sensitive scalps: Childs Farm Strawberry & Organic Mint Kids Shampoo
• Best conditioning tangle-free shampoo: Revlon Professional Equave Kids Conditioning Shampoo
We've put together a list of the best tangle-free shampoos for kids, with options for all hair types - perfect for a wonderfully bubbly and knot-free bath time for you and your little one. When picking our favourites, we made sure to consider formula, ingredients, and price - plus the scent options, of course.
The best tangle-free shampoo for kids 2023
Best tangle-free shampoo for sensitive scalps
Made with sustainably and ethically sourced ingredients, the Childs Farm Strawberry & Organic Mint Kids Shampoo is a real treat for your little one's hair. Not only does it gently cleanse the hair, it also nourishes and conditions while detangling too. If your child's skin is prone to eczema, this is the shampoo choice for them.
One reviewer said: "This is, as with the creams, sold as a baby product. However we have sensitive scalps in our household and got sick of supposedly scalp friendly alternatives being expensive yet rubbish. This smells lovely, lathers well, washes out easily and more to the point, leaves hair shiny, manageable and no medicinal smell. It really sorts our greasy hair issues in teens too. Highly recommended."
Pros
- Bottle made from 100% prevented ocean plastic
- Dermatologist and paediatrician approved
Cons
- The smell seemed divisive in the reviews
Best scented tangle-free shampoo
www.boots.com
With an easy to hold bottle, the L’Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2in1 Very Berry Strawberry Shampoo is ideal for children that are ready to start washing their own hair. This formula was made to glide through the hair, adding shine and making it more manageable. We love this sweet-smelling and gentle shampoo formula.
One reviewer said: "This is the best children’s shampoo! Very good value for money as no conditioner needed, plus it leaves hair tangle free, smooth, and very shiny. A lovely smell too!"
Pros
- Leaves hair super soft
- Creamy formula
Cons
- Some reviewers wished the scent lasted longer on the hair
Best tangle-free shampoo for long hair
www.boots.com
With a The Little Mermaid themed bottle, the Garnier Ultimate Blends Kids Cherry & Soft Almond Shampoo is bound to be a winner at bath time. It's a shampoo and detangler, cleansing their hair and leaving it looking and feeling healthier. We love that it's a no tears formula too, meaning it won't hurt if it accidentally gets in their eyes.
One reviewer said: "Absolutely incredible for my lil one! This tear free god send makes bath time less stressful! It smells amazing and leaves her hair so easy to comb through. My daughter loves the styling of the product and the scent. Will Be buying again!"
Pros
- Hypoallergenic formula
- Leaves hair shiny and soft
Cons
- None!
Best extra gentle tangle-free shampoo for kids
www.superdrug.com
Combing and brushing through knotty hair is always a nightmare, which is why we love the Johnson's Kids No More Tangles Shampoo formula. It's a hypoallergenic formula and is suitable for children with skin allergies, plus it will work wonders on all hair types, including thicker curls and longer locks. There's also a conditioner and conditioning spray included in the range.
One reviewer said: "My son's hair is naturally curly and to wash it without getting his hair into knots is a nightmare - this shampoo and conditioner made his hair much softer and there were no tangles after and during the wash. It's great to be able to use both products and get no more knots. The conditioning spray is an ideal size to bring on the go, perfect for after he's been in the pool or at the beach. I've even used this shampoo and conditioner myself a few times as I have thick wavy hair and I love the fruity apple scent!"
Pros
- Paediatrician-tested
- Easily rinses out
Cons
- A smaller bottle
Best tangle-free shampoo for curly hair
onlycurls.com
We love that this Little Curls Super Shampoo gently foams and retains the natural moisture curly hair has, making the curls more defined, and less likely to knot. It's suitable for all curl types, and the formula features coconut, aloe vera, avocado oil, Provitamin B5 and mallow, ideal for effective cleansing.
One reviewer said: "I've purchased a lot of things from this company before for my mum, but this was the first time trying this kids product. I bought it for my little sister, who has a very tender scalp, with hair that tangles and mattes easily. She suffers with a lot of sensory problems from having a brush put to her scalp, let alone having a brush run through her hair. We have definitely had less tantrums over the last few weeks and will definitely be purchasing this product again."
Pros
- Natural and made in the UK
- Softens and moisturises
Cons
- Not ideal for straight hair
Best conditioning tangle-free shampoo
With a lovely apple scent, the Revlon Professional Equave Kids Conditioning Shampoo will leave their hair feeling healthy and smelling fresh for days. It cleanses and conditions, detangling their hair and banishing knots for good. We really like that the bottle has a handy pump design.
One reviewer said: "My daughter has such bad tangles in her hair, she hates her head/hair being touched and absolutely hates having her hair brushed! I thought I'd try this on her, along with the conditioning spray, it's made her hair smell beautiful and is so shiny! It's been slightly easier to brush her hair, but only time will tell...
I'm now using it too, to see if it helps my scalp, being hypoallergenic, I was hoping it wouldn't leave any residue and stop my scalp from hurting, as this is a big problem, I have very sensitive skin and very thick hair ... So far so good!"
Pros
- Formulated without sulphates
- Naturally detangles
Cons
- Not the best for those with an oily scalp
Best cleansing tangle-free shampoo for kids
www.lookfantastic.com
A softening and nourishing formula, the Phyto PhytoKids Magic Detangling Shampoo and Body Wash will keep your little ones entire body clean. Thanks to the plant and natural active ingredients, it'll transform difficult to brush hair into healthy, knot-free hair, plus it will leave their skin super soft too.
One reviewer said: "Very good for sensitive skin - I’ve been using this product for my children for almost 4 months now. Its perfect for their dry and sensitive skin. It leaves the hair soft and easy to brush."
Pros
- Large bottle with a pump
- 2-in-1 formula
Cons
- Not the cheapest option
What should you consider when picking out a kids tangle-free shampoo?
Bottle Type - It's best to consider if you need a pump or a larger size when it comes to the shampoo bottle. Pumps can make it easier if your child is a little impatient in the bath, and you may need a bigger bottle if you tend to use a lot of product during wash time.
Formula - Of course, the right formula is key to the perfect kids shampoo. Not only do you want a detangling formula, you may want it suited to certain hair types and age groups, or maybe you'll want a more gentle formula for sensitive scalps.
Ingredients - Certain ingredients will be better for dry scalps or oily scalps. Some will moisturise and define curls and some will just make their hair smell amazing. You'll also be looking for sustainably sourced and naturally-derived ingredients too.
How do you keep your kids hair tangle free?
Other than using a tangle-free shampoo for every hair wash day, there are a few ways to keep your child's hair knot-free and healthy. These are a few of our favourites tips and tricks.
• Whatever hair products you use on their, make sure they're formulated to be as gentle as possible.
• Comb/brush the hair before it gets wet, making sure you get any knots that could get worse in the bath.
• Try not to get any non-hair products in their hair during bath time, for example, bubble bath.
• This one is great for oily scalps too - shampoo the roots (top of the head) and only condition the ends.
• If your little one's hair is more frizzy or knots extremely easy, use a detangling spray after washing.
How do you keep a kid's hair from tangling overnight?
Even us adults struggle with tangles appearing after a good night's sleep. Obviously, a good wash and brush will have the hair prepped, but the hair style you put their hair in can help to preserve all that effort overnight. A braid for longer hair and curl, tied with a silk/satin scrunchie can make the world of difference.
If your child has shorter hair or very tight curls that are too short to braid, a satin bonnet is a good way to keep their hair protected and detangled, even if they tend to toss and turn in bed.
Eve Miller is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby, working for Bauer Media for over two years. She is passionate about beauty, creative writing, and women’s healthcare.