Our Clean Baby Products Guide: Safe, Gentle, and Hive Five Approved

When it comes to your baby, the bar is high and rightfully so.
However, the baby aisle today is quite difficult to navigate with its abundance of products, each with different ingredients and promises. The truth? Many mainstream baby products  from food to diapers to lotions – still contain harmful contaminants or irritants that shouldn’t come anywhere near developing bodies.

We're not trying to scare you; this is just the unfortunate reality, with the research to back it up:

  • A 2024 investigation by Healthy Babies Bright Futures revealed that 94% of baby food items – fruits, vegetables, and cereals – contain detectable levels of heavy metals like arsenic, lead, cadmium, or mercury.

  • And in a 2023 MDPI toxicology review, researchers found phthalates, VOCs, bisphenols, formaldehyde, and even heavy metals in mainstream diapers, with one study showing evidence of potential DNA damage markers in exposed infants.

And those are just a few examples.  

Babies are especially vulnerable to chemical exposure. Their skin is thinner, their detox systems aren’t fully developed, and their bodies absorb more per pound than adults. This means what’s in (and on) their bodies matters a lot

Ultimately, a lot of baby and child products simply aren't safe. However, that doesn’t mean that you need to live in fear or spend hours researching every label to find what's best for your baby. 

We created the Hive Five to take the guesswork out of shopping and spotlight only the brands that meet our highest standards for safety, transparency, and environmental responsibility. Below are some of our favorite baby brands that you can place your full trust in, no compromises required.

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The Picks

Lemon Dish Soap Bar

The front of Meliora Lemon Dish Soap Bar

🌿 Made Safe certified – Every formula is free from over 6,500 banned/restricted ingredients, including all known toxins and environmental hazards.

🌿 Plastic-free commitment – Their packaging eliminates the need for over 1 million single-use plastic bottles and reduces the overall impact of household cleaning.

🌿 Transparent + ethical – A Certified B Corp with deep commitments to performance, accountability, and transparency across sourcing, employee benefits, and charitable giving.

🌿 No compromises on safety – 100% free from Hive’s banned and watch list ingredients.

🌿 Purpose-driven partnerships – Works with 1% for the Planet and Women’s Voices for the Earth to support environmental health and justice.

Chagrin Valley Soap and Salve

Picture of Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve Chamomile & Citrus Shampoo Bar

🌿 USDA Organic certified – Made with organic, non-GMO, and fair trade ingredients, free from synthetic chemicals and anything on Hive’s No Good, Dirty Rotten list.

🌿 Minimal processing – Natural ingredients are carefully handled to preserve nutrients, with raw and finished products kept separate to avoid contamination.

🌿 Low-impact sourcing – Carbon footprint stays low with local ingredients like Ohio-grown grains, coffee, beer, and goat’s milk.

🌿 Plastic-free packaging – Over 99% plastic-free with recyclable and reusable glass, tin, and cardboard.

🌿 Community impact – Supports charities that deliver essentials to underserved communities and funds free local healthcare services.

BRIXY

The front of BRIXY Balancing Shampoo Bar

🌿 Ingredient integrity – Vegan, cruelty-free, and always free from endocrine disruptors like phthalates, parabens, synthetic scents, and artificial colorants. 100% free from Hive’s banned and watch list ingredients.

🌿 Tested for purity – Products are tested for heavy metals and made in an ISO 9001:2015 certified facility with strict quality standards.

🌿 Low-impact formulation – Water-free bars mean reduced shipping emissions compared to conventional cleansers.

🌿 Plastic-free packaging – 100% plastic-free and home compostable, with FSC-certified materials and vegetable-based inks.

🌿 Environmental giveback – Donates 1% of sales to ECOEVO to support cleanups and tree-planting efforts.

Little Hands Hawaii

The front of Little Hands Hawaii Face and Body Sunscreen SPF 35

🌿 Reef-safe ingredients – Uses only non-nano zinc oxide as the active ingredient, paired with natively grown and sourced essential oils. 100% free from ingredients on Hive’s No Good, Dirty Rotten list.

🌿 Tested for purity – Finished products are tested for contaminants, and the zinc oxide is specially filtered to minimize naturally occurring lead.

🌿 Plastic-free packaging – The entire sun care line is plastic-free and sustainably sourced.

🌿 Community giveback – Supports local beach cleanups and coral reef education with a portion of all sales.

Lucky Teeth

The front of Lucky Teeth Bamboo Charcoal Dental Floss Refills

🌿 Clean, conscious ingredients – Made with cruelty-free, non-GMO ingredients and completely free from sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and Hive’s banned and watch list ingredients.

🌿 Zero-waste design – Offers refillable, recyclable, and plastic-free versions of everyday oral care staples.

🌿 Sustainable packaging – Uses recyclable and compostable materials for both products and shipping.

🌿 Global impact – Partners with indigenous communities in South America to support cultural preservation and local recognition.

🌿 Allergen safety – Products are tested for allergen contamination.

🌿 Giving back – Partners with Baby2Baby to support underserved families across the U.S.

Alaya Tea

The front of Alaya Tea Darjeeling Second Flush Loose Leaf Black Tea

🌿 Regenerative sourcing – Grown on certified organic and biodynamic farms using regenerative practices that build soil health and help sequester carbon.

🌿 Fair & transparent – All ingredients are sourced from Fair Trade or Fair for Life farms, supporting fair wages and ethical treatment of farmers.

🌿 Clean ingredients – Free from Hive’s banned and watch list ingredients, and tested for pesticide residues and heavy metals.

🌿 Plastic-free packaging – Fully compostable packaging, including bio-based zippers, ink, and labels—no plastic, ever.

🌿 Women-led partnerships – Supports female farmers in the Himalayas through a collaboration with the nonprofit Aarohi.

Beth’s Farm Kitchen

The front of Beth's Farm Kitchen Strawberry Rhubarb Jam

🌿 Support for local growers – Partners with small-scale, local farms and provides contract growing to offer farmers financial stability and uphold sustainable practices.

🌿 Clean ingredients – Free from Hive’s banned and watch list ingredients and made with simple, thoughtfully sourced produce.

🌿 Zero-waste production – Any leftover food from production is used to feed pigs, so nothing goes to waste.

🌿 Plastic-free packaging – Jams are packaged in recyclable glass jars with metal lids for a fully plastic-free experience.

🌿 Mission-driven employment – Dedicated to supporting marginalized communities, BFK actively employs immigrants, people of color, and individuals with past convictions.

Pastificio

The front of Pastificio Heirloom Wheat Rigatoni

🌿 Heirloom ingredients – Blends organic, ancient wheat varieties that are more digestible, nutrient-rich, and flavor-forward than conventional wheat.

🌿 Soil-first sourcing – Certified organic practices avoid synthetic pesticides and fertilizers, helping reduce heavy metal exposure and support biodiversity.

🌿 Clean label – Free from Hive’s No Good, Dirty Rotten ingredients list, with a focus on real, wholesome pasta.

🌿 Plastic-free packaging – Boxes are 100% plastic-free, recyclable, and compostable. Printed with natural inks on FSC-certified paper.

🌿 Local food advocacy – Collaborates with family farms and mills fresh flour in-house to support regional food systems and sustainability at every step.

ECOlunchbox

The front of ECOlunchbox Tri Bento Stainless Steel Food Container

🌿 Plastic-free commitment – Offers endlessly reusable stainless steel containers as a safe, non-toxic alternative to plastic.

🌿 Sustainable materials – Products are made by responsible manufacturers and shipped in 100% plastic-free, recyclable packaging.

🌿 Planet-positive energy – Uses renewable energy and offsets to reduce its carbon footprint.

🌿 Clean standards – All products are free from Hive’s No Good, Dirty Rotten ingredients and designed for lifelong use.

🌿 Education & impact – Empowers consumers with the tools and knowledge to embrace a low-waste lifestyle and reduce plastic pollution.

MNML

The front of MNML Sleep + Calm Chamomile Laundry Capsules

🌿 Clean, science-backed formulas – Powered by natural bio-enzymes and free from phosphates, phthalates, and chlorine. Fragrances are IFRA-approved for safe use.

🌿 Planet-first packaging – Paper tubes are 100% plastic-free and Forest Stewardship Council–certified. PVA film wrapping is fully water-soluble and biodegradable.

🌿 Energy-efficient performance – Optimized to work in cold water and short laundry cycles, saving energy and extending fabric life.

🌿 No nasties allowed – Every product is free from ingredients on Hive’s No Good, Dirty Rotten list.

🌿 Sustainable innovation – Designed to make low-waste living easy without compromising on clean laundry or conscious ingredients.

Our Top Pick

The front of BRIXY Balancing Shampoo Bar

BRIXY

For a true plastic-free standout, Brixy is our top pick.

Brixy has reimagined personal care from the ground up, eliminating plastic not only in their packaging, but in the very structure of their products. Their shampoo, conditioner, and body wash bars are made entirely without water, removing the need for plastic bottles and cutting down on shipping emissions.

Every detail matters: Their packaging is 100% plastic-free, home compostable, Forest Stewardship Council–certified, and printed with vegetable-based inks. Even better, Brixy goes beyond product innovation; they give back by donating 1% of sales to environmental cleanups and local tree-planting efforts.

For design, integrity, and real plastic-free impact, Brixy earns our top spot this Plastic-Free July.