Why is finding a non toxic baby soap important?
Today, baby soaps have fancy labels all over them making more desirable to the new mom with endless decisions in front of her. What they don’t tell you, is the chemicals inside of them to make them smell and feel good are actually harmful to your developing baby. Here is our favorite non-toxic baby soap, which ones to swap out, and a few ingredients to avoid.
Ingredients to avoid:
The word “fragrance” or “parfume” hides thousands of dangerous chemicals like phthalates and parabens that cause damage to endocrine and reproductive organs, are neurotoxic and carcinogenic and impair development in babies & kids. Artificial fragrances are one of the top allergens and increase asthma attacks. (source)& (source)
A synthetic chemical called “sodium lauryl sulfate” (SLS)(link to SLS blog!) is added to most soaps to create “the bubbles” and aids in removing oils from the skin. While kids may love it, studies show the chemical can be a skin irritant, decrease moisture, clog pores, and increase allergens. (source)
Another form is “sodium laureth sulfate” or SLES which could be contaminated with 1-4 dioxane, a well known carcinogen, and should be avoided. (source)
Watch out for those catchy labels!
These are only a few not-so-great ingredients, but they are in almost any store bought soap AND baby soap. They get away with labeling these baby hygiene products “eco-friendly”, “all-natural”, “plant based” and some times even “non-toxic.”
This is called GREEN WASHING. Many of these terms that catch our eye don’t actually have any meaning behind them. The best way to avoid dangerous chemicals is to shop from reputable brands and READ THE LABELS! And when in doubt, go for the fragrance-free option.
Our favorite brands to buy non toxic baby soap from:
- Earthley Wellness Baby Bar Soap
- Earth Mama Lavender Baby Soap
- Babo Botanicals Sensitive Baby Soap
- Aleavia Prebiotic Body Cleanse
- Primally Pure Baby Bar Soap
- California Baby Sensitive Baby Wash
- Carina Organics Baby Wash
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