| Chemicals & Baby Products |
Chemicals and Baby Products
We all want the best for our babies and children and
we like to pamper them with lovely smelling lotions and potions and gorgeous
bubble baths. But you might be surprised at the chemical cocktail some of your
average baby care products contain.
Just because it’s a trusted brand name or the
packaging says hypoallergenic or even says ‘natural’ doesn’t mean it’s chemical
free. Why is this a concern? Well a baby’s skin is 5 times thinner than adults
and more permeable therefore letting more chemicals in, plus their livers are
not fully developed and so not as able to cope with the daily onslaught of
toxins (also from food, air, household cleaners and garden chemicals etc).
Surely products are tested for safety? Yes, products
are tested but many believe these tests just aren’t rigorous enough, plus they
don’t really take into account the effect of mixing different chemicals
together in one product, or the effects of bioaccumulation (chemicals hanging
around in the body).
It can seem like you need a
degree in chemistry to just pronounce some of the ingredients in skincare
products never mind understand what they are! So to get you started Down to
Earth Baby have listed the top 10 (in no particular order) main offenders
below:
1. Mineral oil: used in
baby oil, lotions and wipes. 100%
petrochemical by-product has absolutely no benefit to the skin. Is used to bulk
out and add oil like properties to products, its incredibly cheap and doesn’t
go off. Just coats the skin with a layer of oil that is not absorbed and so
doesn’t moisturise, prevents skin from breathing and functioning properly.
2. Petroleum jelly: same as
above really, because it has no moisturising capabilities it can make the skin
dependent on its application.
3. Fragrance/Colour: can cause skin irritations and allergic
reactions, some synthetic chemicals maybe labelled like this D&C
Green No. 6, and are thought to be carcinogenic (cancer causing). 95% of the chemicals found in
fragrance are derived from petroleum
4. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES): foaming agent commonly found in
shower, bath and shampoo products – produces all those lovely bubbles in bubble
baths. Its industrial uses include engine degreaser and car wash soap! Can
cause eye irritation and skin rashes may react with other chemicals in a
product to release potentially cancer causing nitrates. Ammonium
laureth sulphate is less irritating than SLS but due to manufacturing processes
may still be contaminated with cancer causing 1,4 dioxane.
5.
Propylene Glycol Stearate: found in lotions, shampoos, body wash and wipes.
Alters skin structure, allowing other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the
skin, increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream. It
has been linked with skin conditions such as eczema and dermatitis.
6.
Methylparaben and Propylparaben: used as a preservative. Have been labelled
‘gender benders’ as they may alter hormone levels, possibly increasing risks
for certain types of cancer, or alteration of the development of a fetus or
young child.
Chemicals that through their manufacturing process
maybe contaminated with cancer causing 1,4 dioxane and that may react with other ingredients to
form cancer causing nitrosamine chemicals, include: 7. Triethanolamine (TEA): – used
to control pH- found in lotions, shampoos, body wash.
8. Cocoamide DEA: foaming
agent found in shampoo and body wash.
PEG – family: chemicals that are identified by
the letters PEG followed by a number and then another chemical name. Found in
all products.
10.
Polysorbate-60, 80: stops water and oil from separating and can be found in all products. These products may also trigger an
immune system response that includes itching, burning, scaling, hives, and
blistering of skin.
Now that lovely bubble bath doesn’t sound quite so
appealing! But now you know what to look out for you can choose your baby’s
products wisely and avoid using harsh chemicals on their beautiful delicate
skin.
Victoria Crombie (BSc (Hons) Biological Science, MSc
Health Promotion)
Owner Down to Earth Baby
www.downtoearthbaby.com.au
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