7 Chemical Ingredients That Are Harmful To Your Baby’s Skin

As a new parent, the safety of your little one is of utmost priority. You want to ensure that your baby receives the best and the most gentle care, and are meticulous in choosing skincare products that are safe and toxin-free to keep their skin soft and healthy. 

Unfortunately, many baby skincare products are made with harsh chemicals and toxins that can cause allergies or rashes in your munchkin’s skin. Since your baby’s skin is still developing, you must ensure that the products that come in contact with them are chemical-free. This is why it’s crucial for parents to familiarise themselves with the harmful ingredients present in certain baby skincare products and the safe replacements for them. 

But with the plethora of baby skincare products available on the market, it can be difficult to determine the range of products that are natural and safe for your baby. Don’t worry, we have got you covered. We have created a list of chemical ingredients that are potentially harmful to your baby’s skin. Read on to know what they are and make sure to steer clear of them the next time you purchase a baby skincare product.

7 Harmful Ingredients To Look Out For In Baby Skincare

Even though the skin conditions (allergies and rashes) caused by these chemicals are well-established, they are still found in some baby care products. Make sure to watch out for these chemicals, and read the ingredient label carefully before purchasing a baby skincare product.

Phthalates 

Phthalates are artificial chemical additives most commonly found in cosmetic products. The FDA doesn’t approve the use of this chemical in skincare products, especially the ones designed for babies. Although there isn’t enough evidence on how this chemical affects your health, research conducted in 2010 suggests that long-time exposure to phthalates can affect human development, cause allergies, and harm reproductive health.

Therefore, make sure to buy a baby skincare product that specifically says “phthalate-free” or “chemical-free” in its ingredient list or product package.

Sulphates 

Sulphates such as SLES and SLS are used to enhance foaming in hand wash or bath products. These chemicals are good at removing dirt and oil from skin surfaces. However, sulphates aren’t baby-safe. Using a baby product formulated with this chemical can cause skin and respiratory irritation. 

Since this chemical is commonly found in hand washes, make sure to choose a natural foam handwash for your kid that is 100% sulphate-free. Choose a hand wash that contains plant-based surfactants such as coconut oil, mango oil, tulsi, and beetroot to gently cleanse and moisturise your baby’s skin. This will help protect your little one’s skin and also provide them protection from germs and bacteria. 

Parabens 

Parabens are used as preservatives to increase the shelf life of cosmetic products. They are widely used in soaps and shampoos. Since this chemical causes rashes and irritation, it should be strictly avoided in your baby’s skincare routine. Parabens are also easily absorbed by the skin, making it harmful for babies as their skin is still developing.

Moreover, research from 2018 indicated that long-term exposure to paraben throughout an individual’s life increases their metabolism and hormone regulation. Therefore, it’s imperative that you reduce your child’s exposure to this chemical early in their childhood.

Synthetic Fragrances 

Fragrances might sound appealing to you, but it is in fact among the top allergens that irritate your baby’s delicate skin. Certain baby hair oils and lotions contain synthetic fragrances that cause allergies, rashes, and breathing problems in babies. To keep your baby safe from allergic reactions, purchase a baby hair oil with no artificial and synthetic fragrance.

Natural baby hair oil will have a mild formulation that will still keep your baby’s scalp smelling fresh. Also, choosing a baby hair oil with plant-based ingredients like avocado oil, coconut oil, and marula oil will soothe and nourish your baby’s scalp and promote healthy hair growth. 

Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is also a chemical-based preservative, used in liquid soaps and baby wipes. This chemical is used to prevent bacterial growth but can cause allergic reactions and skin irritations in babies with sensitive skin. 

Additionally, long-term exposure to formaldehyde can increase the risk of other health concerns like asthma. Although many companies have voluntarily removed this chemical from their ingredient list, they are still widely used in certain baby skincare products. So make sure to avoid it.

Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is a type of alcohol found in many sunscreens and moisturisers. It is renowned for its skin-softening properties but is harmful to babies as it causes irritation and allergic reactions. Therefore, while choosing sunscreen for your baby, make sure to opt for one that is designed with natural ingredients like chamomile, carrot seed oil, avocado oil, and rosehip oil.

All of these ingredients have rich antioxidant properties and help provide protection against sun rays and keep the skin calm and nourished. Moreover, the ingredients form a mild formula and do not irritate your baby’s delicate eyes. 

Phenoxyethanol 

Phenoxyethanol is another type of preservative found in many baby wash products. This chemical compound causes serious harm if swallowed or inhaled. It also absorbs easily into the skin and causes severe skin irritations. In fact, the FDA doesn’t approve of using this chemical in baby care products.

To keep your little one’s skin protected make sure to use a natural and moisturising baby body wash with certified organic ingredients. Choose a body wash that contains moringa oil, rose oil, pumpkin seed oil, and strawberry oil to deeply cleanse and moisturise the skin. Moreover, these natural ingredients help maintain the pH balance of your baby’s skin and their antibacterial properties keep them protected from germs and infections. 

The best way to choose safe baby skin care products is by reading the ingredients list carefully and making sure that the products are dermatologist-approved and clinically tested. Make sure that all the ingredients in your baby’s skincare product are natural and check the package to determine if the products are toxin and chemical-free. 

If you have more concerns, do consult your paediatrician for further clarifications.