This is the gentlest kids was. This is body-first, not a full hair shampoo. It can touch hair during bath time, but by separating hair products out, this can stay gentle and barrier-focused.
Difficulty: easy-medium. The making process is not hard, but pH adjustment and preservation hygiene matter.
This is a low-heat / mostly room-temperature formula, unlike the shampoo and conditioner bars.
I’d keep the whole batch under 105°F
Warm only the water + aloe + sodium citrate + betaine phase if needed to 85–95°F
Kids Gentle Body Wash Formula
500g batch | pH target 5.3–5.6
Distilled water — 319g — 63.8%
Aloe vera juice — 100g — 20%
Sodium citrate — 3g — 0.6%
Betaine — 10g — 2%
Glycerin — 15g — 3%
Xanthan gum — 1.5g — 0.3%
Colloidal oatmeal — 5g — 1%
Decyl glucoside — 25g — 5%
Coco glucoside — 15g — 3%
Panthenol — 5g — 1%
Geogard ECT — 4.5g — 0.9%
Citric acid solution — q.s. to pH 5.3–5.6
How many bottles does it make?
A 500g batch makes about 16–17 ounces total, depending on final thickness.
Instructions
1. Sanitize everything
Sanitize your counter, tools, mixing bowl, spatulas, bottles, and caps. Let them dry fully before using.
2. Make the water phase
In your main mixing container, add:
319g distilled water
100g aloe vera juice
3g sodium citrate
10g betaine
Stir until the sodium citrate and betaine are fully dissolved.
You can keep this at room temperature, or warm gently to about 85–95°F if you want things to dissolve faster. Do not overheat.
3. Make the xanthan slurry
In a separate small cup, combine:
15g glycerin
1.5g xanthan gum
Mix until the xanthan gum is fully wetted and there are no dry powder pockets.
4. Hydrate the xanthan
Add the glycerin/xanthan slurry into the water phase.
Stir gently but thoroughly.
Let it sit for 15–30 minutes so the xanthan can hydrate and thicken.
5. Add colloidal oatmeal
Add:
5g colloidal oatmeal
Sprinkle it in slowly and stir gently until smooth.
Try not to whisk or create foam.
6. Add the cleansers
Add slowly:
25g decyl glucoside
15g coco glucoside
Stir gently after each addition.
Do not whisk.
Do not use a stick blender here.
Glucosides foam easily, and you want a calm gel, not a bubble bath.
7. Add cool-down ingredients
Make sure the batch is below 105°F.
Then add:
5g panthenol
4.5g Geogard ECT
Mix gently but very thoroughly for a few minutes so the preservative is evenly distributed.
8. Adjust pH
Test the pH.
Target:
pH 5.3–5.6
If the pH is too high, add citric acid solution drop by drop.
To make citric acid solution:
5g citric acid
5g distilled water
Stir until dissolved.
Add a few drops, mix well, wait a minute, then retest. Go slowly.
9. Bottle
Once the pH is correct, pour into clean bottles.
Let the bottles sit overnight so bubbles settle and the texture finishes thickening.
How to use
Use a small amount on wet skin. Massage gently and rinse well.
Avoid eyes. This is not tear-free.
For post-swim use: rinse with plain water first, use the fresh vitamin C rinse if needed, then wash with this cleanser.
Storage
Store away from heat and direct sun.
Use within 3–6 months for best freshness.
Kids Gentle Body Wash
A fragrance-free cleanser for everyday baths, hard water homes, and pool days
This kids body wash was designed for real family life: daily dirt, sunscreen residue, sweaty summer skin, hard water, and frequent pool days — without turning bath time into a harsh stripping routine.
The goal is not huge bubbles or a squeaky-clean feeling. The goal is clean, calm, comfortable skin.
This formula is especially useful in a hard water home because hard water can make skin feel drier after bathing. Instead of making the cleanser stronger, this formula uses a gentler approach: mild cleansing, humectants, soothing ingredients, and a small amount of sodium citrate to help soften the feel of the wash.
It is designed as a body wash first. It can be used on hair occasionally, especially short toddler hair, but for frequent swim hair, sunscreen buildup, or long hair, a dedicated swimmer shampoo or conditioner routine is better.
Is it tear-free?
No — I would not call this tear-free.
It is gentle and pH-balanced, but true “tear-free” claims require testing. Even mild glucoside cleansers can sting if they get into the eyes. Use around the face carefully and avoid the eye area.
Fragrance-Free • pH-Balanced • Gentle Body Wash
For kids, sensitive skin, and post-pool showers
How this is different from the adult face cleanser
The adult face cleanser is more refined for daily facial use: slightly more elegant, lower-residue, and designed for adult skincare routines.
This kids body wash is simpler and more body-focused. It has fewer facial “actives,” no green tea extract, no niacinamide, and no vitamin C stored in the bottle. It is designed to be gentle, practical, and reliable for frequent use on larger areas of skin.
The kids formula is also intentionally not a treatment cleanser. For pool days, chlorine support is handled with a separate fresh vitamin C rinse instead of loading the daily wash with extra actives that may complicate pH, preservation, or skin comfort.
Why each ingredient was chosen
Distilled water
The clean base of the formula. Distilled water keeps the cleanser consistent and avoids adding more minerals to a formula meant for hard water homes.
Aloe vera juice
Adds a soft, calming, hydrating feel. Aloe helps the cleanser feel more comforting on skin that may already be dry from pool water, sun, or frequent washing.
Sodium citrate
The hard-water helper. Sodium citrate helps reduce the rough, tight feeling that mineral-heavy water can leave behind. It does not make this a harsh cleanser; it simply helps the formula behave better in hard water.
Betaine
A gentle humectant that helps the skin feel soft after rinsing. It supports a less-stripping after-feel.
Glycerin
Helps hold moisture at the skin surface and keeps the cleanser from feeling drying.
Xanthan gum
Gives the wash a soft gel texture so it is easier to use and does not run everywhere.
Colloidal oatmeal
Included for comfort. Oatmeal gives the wash a gentle, soothing feel, especially helpful for skin that gets dry or itchy after swimming.
Decyl glucoside
A mild cleanser that removes everyday dirt, sweat, and light sunscreen without needing harsh detergents.
Coco glucoside
Adds cleansing support and a soft lather. Used at a modest level so the wash stays gentle.
Panthenol
Also known as provitamin B5. It supports a soft, conditioned skin feel and is a beautiful ingredient for frequent bath products.
Geogard ECT
A preservative is essential because this is a water-based product with aloe, oatmeal, glycerin, and other skin-friendly ingredients. Without preservation, a gentle cleanser can become unsafe quickly.
Citric acid solution
Used at the end to adjust the cleanser to a skin-friendly pH of about 5.3–5.6.
Kids Gentle Body Wash Formula
500g batch | pH target 5.3–5.6
Distilled water — 319g — 63.8%
Aloe vera juice — 100g — 20%
Sodium citrate — 3g — 0.6%
Betaine — 10g — 2%
Glycerin — 15g — 3%
Xanthan gum — 1.5g — 0.3%
Colloidal oatmeal — 5g — 1%
Decyl glucoside — 25g — 5%
Coco glucoside — 15g — 3%
Panthenol — 5g — 1%
Geogard ECT — 4.5g — 0.9%
Citric acid solution — q.s. to pH 5.3–5.6
How many bottles does it make?
A 500g batch makes about 16–17 ounces total, depending on final thickness.
Approximate yield:
Two 8 oz bottles
Four 4 oz bottles
Five 100 ml bottles
One 16 oz family bottle, with a little extra depending on bottle size
How to make it
Sanitize your workspace, tools, mixing container, and bottles.
In the main beaker, combine distilled water, aloe vera juice, sodium citrate, and betaine. Stir until fully dissolved.
In a separate small cup, mix glycerin and xanthan gum to make a smooth slurry. Make sure all the xanthan is wetted.
Add
Hair version:
This can absolutely be used as a shampoo for a 3- and 5-year-old, and it’s actually a really beautiful fit for their age.
This gently cleans light to moderate dirt + oil, Keeps scalp balanced (pH ~5.5), and won’t strip natural oils, which means healthier hair long-term. But it also has removed many of the harsh detergents and coatings found in most wash systems, so it may not remove any heavy buildup in a single wash. This formula DOES account for hard water however, due to our area. If you don’t have that, you can skip the sodium citrate.
You may want MORE cleansing if they have sunscreen in their har or some other product buildup. You can just rinse twice with this, or once with a tallow soap or other. As a shampoo, let sit 20-30 seconds before rinsing. If hair feels tangly, can add 1-2 drops of apricot oil to ends of hair AFTER bath. This is more than a shampoo, more like a scalp supporting system.
Exception: if your child just went swimming, you will want to RINSE hair first, then may want to use a stronger shampoo (like our swimmers shampoo bar), then still wash body with this cleanser to restore ph balance, and even rehydrate their scalp.
Ingredients:
Distilled water — 276 g (55.2%)
Aloe vera juice — 100 g (20%)
Sodium citrate — 4 g (0.8%) (stir until fully dissolved)
Glycerin — 15 g (3%)
Xanthan gum — 2 g (0.4%) (let hydrate fully)
Colloidal oatmeal — 10 g (2%)
Coco glucoside — 50 g (10%)
Decyl glucoside — 40 g (8%)
Polyquaternium-10 — 1 g (0.2%)
Panthenol — 5 g (1%)
Geogard ECT — 4–5 g (0.8–1%)
Citric acid solution → pH 5.3–5.6
🧴 PROCESS (SHORT VERSION)
Water + aloe + sodium citrate (warm, dissolve)
Add glycerin + xanthan slurry → hydrate
Add oatmeal
Add surfactants slowly
Add PQ-10 (optional)
Cool → add panthenol
Add preservative (≤105°F)
Adjust pH
Directions:
DO NOT EXCEED 110°F (43°C) at any point (protect aloe, oatmeal and surfactants)
🧪 IDEAL WORK RANGE: 85–100°F (30–38°C) for most of process
Water phase, Heat to ~95–110°F (35–43°C) (warm, not hot)
Distilled water — 276 g (55.2%)
Aloe vera juice — 100 g (20%)
Sodium citrate — 4 g (0.8%) (stir until fully dissolved)
Pre-disperse, Same temp range (95–110°F)
Glycerin — 15 g (3%)
Xanthan gum — 2 g (0.4%), (let hydrate fully)
Add to water phase, 👉 Let hydrate 10–20 minutes
Soothing
Colloidal oatmeal — 10 g (2%), add and mix until smooth
Cleansing, Keep temp: 85–100°F. Stir Gently (DO NOT WHISK, you don’t want foam)
Decyl glucoside — 40 g (8%) (add first)
Coco glucoside — 50 g (10%)
Conditioning (NEW – optional but great)
Polyquaternium-10 — 1 g (0.2%)
pre-dispersed (like with xanthan), Mix with a little glycerin, then mix thoroughly
Cool-down, to Temp: ≤105°F (40°C)
Panthenol — 5 g (1%)
Preservation (choose ONE): CRITICAL TEMP: ≤105°F (40°C)
Option A (if aloe contains ascorbic acid): Geogard ECT — 4–5 g (0.8–1%)
OR Option B (your system consistency): NeoDefend / Geogard Ultra — 5.5 g (1.1%)
If using NeoDefend → confirm aloe has no added ascorbic acid
But do not use if you have hard water (we put in a vitamin c tablet and this would conflict and cause possible stability issues with Neodefend)
NeoDefend + ascorbic acid → ⚠️ potential stability issues
pH Adjustment (LAST STEP, if needed)
Test pH
Adjust with Citric acid solution → pH 5.3–5.6
Best tool: pH strips (range 4–7)
If pH is TOO HIGH (common)
Add: Citric acid solution (50%)
How to make:
1 part citric acid powder
1 part distilled water
How to adjust:
Add drop by drop
Mix thoroughly
Re-test after each addition
👉 Go slow — tiny changes matter
If pH is TOO LOW (rare)
Add a tiny amount of sodium bicarbonate solution
Post-bath (important for hard water homes)
Even with a perfect cleanser, hard water can leave skin slightly dry.
After bath:
Use apricot oil OR light balm
While skin is still damp
This seals in moisture and offsets mineral dryness.
đź’ˇ Optional Upgrade (Simple + Powerful)
If swimming is frequent:
Add a quick pre-rinse:
1 cup water + pinch of vitamin C powder
Pour over hair before washing
👉 This neutralizes chlorine instantly
(You’re already doing this in the bath — which is excellent)
👶👦 How it behaves across ages
Age / Performance
Newborn (0–12 mo): Still safe, just use less + less often
1–3 years: Excellent for body + light hair
3–5 years: Now strong enough for hair + dirt
Adults: Gentle daily cleanser, especially for sensitive skin
🧴 LABEL (INCI FORMAT)
Use this for your bottle:
Ingredients (INCI):
Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Coco-Glucoside, Decyl Glucoside, Glycerin, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour (Colloidal Oatmeal), Panthenol, Polyquaternium-10, Xanthan Gum, Gluconolactone (and) Sodium Benzoate (or Benzyl Alcohol (and) Salicylic Acid (and) Glycerin (and) Sorbic Acid*)
*Use this second preservative listing only if using Geogard ECT
🏷️ FRONT LABEL (CLEAN + COMPELLING)
NEWBORN & FAMILY GENTLE WASH
pH-Balanced • Tear-Free • Fragrance-Free
For newborns, children, and sensitive skin
Hair + Body • Minimal, effective cleansing
100 ml / 250 ml
Rational Body | Danville, CA
🏷️ BACK LABEL (SHORT VERSION)
A true physiological cleanser designed to respect the skin barrier.
This formula cleans without stripping, supports the acid mantle (pH ~5.5), and is gentle enough for newborn skin.
No fragrance. No essential oils. No harsh detergents.
Directions:
Apply a small amount to wet skin or hair.
Gently cleanse and rinse.
Use 1–3× weekly for newborns, more frequently as needed for older children.
Patch test recommended.
🌿 PRODUCT PAGE (THIS SELLS IT)
Newborn & Family Gentle Wash
The cleanser that grows with your child
Most baby washes are either:
too weak to clean once kids get older
or too harsh for delicate newborn skin
This does both—by doing less, better.
WHAT IT IS
A pH-balanced (5.5) physiological cleanser designed to support—not disrupt—the skin barrier.
Built with ultra-gentle plant-based cleansers (glucosides), soothing oatmeal, and barrier-supporting humectants, this formula cleans effectively without triggering dryness, irritation, or dependency cycles.
WHY IT’S DIFFERENT
🌿 Cleans without stripping
No sulfates. No foaming agents designed for bubbles over function.
Just mild, effective cleansing that leaves skin soft—not tight.
🌿 Truly fragrance-free
No “hidden fragrance” or parfum blends.
Nothing that interferes with hormones, lungs, or sensitive skin.
🌿 Built for real life stages
One bottle replaces multiple products:
Newborn (0–12 months): gentle, minimal cleansing
Toddlers (1–3): body + light hair
Kids (3–5+): strong enough for hair, dirt, and play
Adults: perfect for sensitive skin or daily use
WHAT’S INSIDE (AND WHY)
Coco + Decyl Glucoside — ultra-mild cleansers derived from plants
Colloidal Oatmeal — soothes irritation, supports skin barrier
Aloe Vera — hydrates and calms
Glycerin — maintains moisture balance
Panthenol (B5) — supports skin repair
Polyquaternium-10 — gentle detangling for soft, manageable hair
Every ingredient has a purpose. Nothing extra.
WHAT’S NOT INSIDE
No fragrance (synthetic or natural)
No essential oils
No sulfates (SLS/SLES)
No parabens or phthalates
No silicones
No unnecessary fillers
HOW TO USE
Newborns:
Use 1–3× per week. A little goes a long way.
Toddlers & Kids:
Use as needed for body and hair.
Tip:
If hair starts to feel dry or tangled (ages 3+), pair with a light conditioner or detangler.
THE PHILOSOPHY
Skin—especially newborn skin—is not meant to be managed aggressively.
It’s meant to be supported.
This formula respects:
the developing skin barrier
the natural microbiome
and the reality that less is often more
You don’t need a different product for every stage.
You need one that understands all of them.