Although you may find many products in the market labeled as “baby care products” this doesn’t mean they are the best for your little kid’s skin. Keep in mind that babies” skin is five times thinner,
more fragile and less oily than adults” skin, so even a product considered “safe” for adults could harm your baby.
Here’s what to keep in mind when choosing:
1. Look at the Labels
Unlike food, manufacturers of personal care products are not required to specify which ingredients were used in the production of their products. They are also not required to even test the ingredients they use. So, first thing you have to consider is choosing a product that has at least some of the ingredients specified in its label. There you might ingredients like parabens, sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate, and pthalates – substances that can cause skin irritation and hormonal disorders. Avoid them and choose a healthier option.
The second thing you should keep in mind is that most labels will not show what’s called “by-products”. For example, 1,4-Dioxane, is a component of sodium laureth sulfate and also a potential carcinogen. Products containing sodium laureth sulfate also contain 1,4-Dioxane.
Also, don’t choose products just because the label says “Natural” or “Soft”. Many chemicals can be involved in the process of “softening” the product, but those chemicals will not be mentioned in the label and the product will not be natural at all.
2. Avoid Fragranced Products
There are many manufacturers that add fragrance to the personal care products they make, which means they probably use pthalates, a chemical that is often found in aromatic items. What’s wrong with this? Several studies have shown that pthalates is linked to reproduction problems. In addition, fragrances have been known to cause allergic reactions as well. If this is something that worries you, be sure to choose baby care products that are fragrance-free.
3. Do Some Research
You can find lots of helpful information on websites or forums, where you can investigate, interact with other parents and exchange opinions about safety and toxicity of certain baby body care products. Some websites even allow to rate products in order to obtain a ranking of toxicity.
4. Choose Organic
If chemicals concern you – and we”ve mentioned the fact that they are not always specified on labels – look for certified organic labeled products, or, even better, get the natural ingredients and make the product yourself!. Making a list of brands certified as “paraben-free” or “NO sodium laureth/lauryl sulfate” would be also very helpful.
Note that the simpler the better. Organic olive oil is great for moisturizing the skin and Oatmeal paste is soft and cheap to make. All are options that will help keep your baby’s skin clean and healthy.