The Alternative Baby

Many parents take great pleasure in the nightly bath time ritual with their little one. A nice warm bubbly bath, a thorough wash of that gorgeous baby hair, then a calming relaxing massage before bed. What is often overlooked, is that there are countless sinister chemicals in the most common baby care products and children are extremely vulnerable to the vast array of chemicals prevalent in personal care products. A child’s skin is 30 percent thinner than an adult’s, but the surface area of skin (relative to body weight) is greater. This means that the potential dose of a chemical following dermal exposure is likely to be three times greater than in an adult. Another worrying fact is that the blood-brain barrier, necessary to protect the baby’s brain tissue from penetration by the aforementioned preparations (which are often neurotoxic), is not fully formed until the age of six months. 

Let’s examine some particulars…Firstly, bath time wouldn’t be so “bubbly” without sodium lauryl sulfate, a foaming agent also used in car washes and engine degreasers, that loving massage with baby oil is actually 100% mineral oil (sounds perfectly innocent, right!?) but this is actually a petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic and clogs the pores, finally I’ll touch on that fluffy cloud of talc…a carcinogenic powder that can cause genital abnormalities when used in this particularly sensitive area and respiratory problems when inhaled. 

Ingredients found in common baby care products have now been proven (Trepanned 2004 & Katevatis 2006) to cause skin irritation, asthma, and eczema. At a time when incidences of these ailments have never been higher we must ask ourselves- “could it be that the cure is actually the cause?” Could the thick “soothing” creams recommended for childhood eczema could actually be making the whole situation worse?

Obviously, the consumers in this instance are being targeted by clever marketing campaigns aimed at vulnerable parents trying to do the best for their children. Of course they would not question the ethics of brands who have such a long standing reputation, and whos products were probably used on them by their parents- but in the absence of adequate legislation, the manufacturers of children’s products have made unfounded claims about product safety.

Below is a guide to the ingredients that should be avoided absolutely and completely when purchasing personal care products (not just for your baby, but for you too!). My suggestion-however tough it seems- is to scour your bathroom cabinets and throw out every item that contains any of the following ingredients. If you can’t afford to replace them right away, don’t worry! It would definitely be better to use plain water than these awful, unnatural, toxic products! 

Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES), Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Potassium Coco Hydrolysed Collagen, TEA (Triethanolamine) Lauryl Sulfate, TEA (Triethanolamine) Laureth Sulfate, Lauryl or Cocoyl Sarcosine, Disodium Oleamide Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Disodium Dioctyl Sulfosuccinate

These may all be contaminated with dioxane, a known carcinogen. Surfactants can pose serious health threats. They are used in car washes, as garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers – and in 90% of personal-care products that foam i.e. shampoo, bubble bath etc. They have been proven to cause severe skin irritation even in low concentrations.

DEA (diethanolamine), MEA (Monoethanolamine), & TEA (triethanolamine)

Often used in cosmetics to adjust the pH, and used with many fatty acids to convert acid to salt (stearate), which then becomes the base for a cleanser. TEA causes allergic reactions including eye problems, dryness of hair and skin, and could be toxic if absorbed into the body over a long period of time. These chemicals are already restricted in Europe due to known carcinogenic effects. Dr. Samuel Epstein (Professor of Environmental Health at the University of Illinois) says that repeated skin applications . . . of DEA-based detergents resulted in a major increase in the incidence of liver and kidney cancer.

Parabens

A group of chemicals used as preservatives in many personal care products. Research has shown that the parabens in products used over the long term may result in serious health problems. Studies have found evidence that parabens may be connected to premature aging of the skin and may be a factor in the development of breast cancer. Scientists have proven that parabens do leach into the tissues of the body. One study found that this accumulation of chemicals affect the body in a manner similar to oestrogen, a female hormone.

Alcohol, Isopropyl (SD-40)

A very drying and irritating solvent and dehydrator that strips your skin’s natural acid mantle, making skin more vulnerable to bacteria, moulds and viruses. It is made from propylene, a petroleum derivative. It may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin.

Mineral Oil

Petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging the pores. Interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, causing acne and other disorders. Slows down skin function and cell development, resulting in premature aging. Used in many products (baby oil is 100% mineral oil!) Any mineral oil derivative can be contaminated with cancer causing PAH’s (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons). Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap.

Phthalates

Toxic gender bending chemical used as a plasticizer in food wraps and many pliable plastics and containers. Also used in hairsprays and some cosmetics including nail varnishes from where it is readily absorbed into the system. Phthalates are implicated with low sperm counts and also causing sexual abnormalities and deformities.

Propylene/Butylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is a petroleum derivative. It penetrates the skin and can weaken protein and cellular structure. Workers in contact with PG to wear protective gloves, clothing and goggles (by law) and to dispose of any PG solutions by burying them in the ground. Consequences such as brain, liver, and kidney abnormalities. But there isn’t even a warning label on products such as stick deodorants, where the concentration is greater than in most industrial applications.

Finally- I have included the ingredients list from a baby body wash, by a leading manufacturer….practice looking for the dangerous toxins you can spot and then decide whether it’s really worth the risk.

The following product was described as ‘a pure, mild  & gentle cleanser for your baby’ do you agree??

Ingredients: Water, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Sodium Trideceth Sulfate, Acrylates Copolymer, Glycol Distearate, Glycerin, Fragrance, Laureth-4, Lauryl Methyl Gluceth-10 Hydroxypropyldimonium Chloride, Tetrasodium EDTA, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Hydroxide, Mineral Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Avena Sativa (Oat) Kernel Flour, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice.

Happy label reading and Good Luck!

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