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This might come as a shock to some of you, but there are many chemicals present in baby products.
You might already know this, but might not be aware which specific ones are common and if they are fatal.
Why Think About Chemicals In Baby Products??
Babies have far more sensitive skin than everyone else. Their immune system is still forming, which makes them more vulnerable.
This is why being aware of chemicals that have the potential to harm your child is important. You can check out The Good Nursery to learn more about natural alternatives to chemical ingredients.
Below you will find a list of some common chemicals found in baby products and why you should avoid them.
Toxic Chemicals Commonly Found In Baby Products
Formaldehyde
The most common chemical that you can find in baby products is formaldehyde.
Formaldehyde is a colorless gas. Even at low levels and room temperature, it is flammable and even explosive. It also has a strong odor, which is bad for babies and young children.
Formaldehyde is commonly found in baby shampoos and body washes. This fact alone makes them more vulnerable to the chemical since their skin is exposed to it.
The negative effects of exposure to this chemical include watery eyes, burning sensation, and skin irritation.
Direct and indirect inhalation is a more serious and susceptible way of exposure to formaldehyde.
This makes it more dangerous for children as they are unaware of how and when they inhale the chemical during their bath time. Not to mention, it could still linger even after, making their exposure to it more likely.
Parabens
Parabens are chemicals used as preservatives. They are used to extend the shelf life of a product. They are also inexpensive, making them a commonly used form of preservative.
They target certain microorganisms that can affect the quality of the product. This helps keep products from molding and contracting harmful bacteria.
They are found in baby products like sunscreens, baby shampoos and soaps, diaper creams, and baby oils. As for specific parabens, these are methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben and ethylparaben.
So are they good? Or are they bad?
The difficulty with this chemical is that there are different types of parabens. The ones mentioned are just some of many. The level of danger these chemicals pose can vary depending on what paraben you are talking about.
So are they safe for babies? Well, one side effect of paraben exposure is skin allergies and irritation. This can be exacerbated if your child already has a skin allergy.
If you are still wary, then it is best to avoid products with these ingredients. Having little to no chemicals in your baby products is optimal for ensuring your baby is healthy.
These are easy to spot as you only need to check if the chemical ends in -parabens.
Synthetic Fragrances
Fragrances of any kind should be avoided when near a baby.
The strong odor it can give off, good or bad, can cause major discomfort for them. This is why you should avoid wearing perfume or cologne when with a baby.
Now add in the fact that there are fragrances synthetically made using chemicals, and you have another thing to add to the list.
Synthetic fragrances can be found in personal care products for babies such as baby washes and shampoos.
Triclosan
Just like parabens, triclosan is a chemical used for preservative reasons.
Triclosan can be found in toothpaste, soaps, and body washes.
Like other chemicals, they can be contracted through skin contact and linger for a while. Side effects of prolonged exposure to triclosan are skin allergies and the development of allergies.
Harsher effects include increased chances of asthma.
Phthalates
Phthalates are chemicals used to make plastic products softer and more durable. They can also dissolve other materials.
They are common in skin care products, including those for babies.
Babies spend most of their time crawling when they’re not sleeping. Sometimes, they put their hands in their mouths. This is one way for phthalates to enter their immune system.
Another more direct way is through the baby products present in the house.
One way to limit the amount of phthalate particles circulating in the vicinity is to limit the number of products that contain phthalates.
Benzyl Alcohol
Benzyl alcohol is referred to as what is called an “aromatic alcohol.” As the title suggests, it has a potent fragrance.
This can be found naturally in fruits, flower oil, and trees. However, this can also be made synthetically.
Benzyl alcohol does the same thing as parabens. It also preserves products from being contaminated by bacteria. As a preservative, it is a pretty good one.
This can be referred to as an alternative to parabens as it can come from natural sources. But the presence of chemicals still makes it something to be wary of.
The negative effects of benzyl alcohol are skin irritation, dermatitis, and discomfort from the aroma.
Phenoxyethanol
Added to the list of ingredients that act as preservatives and have fragrances is phenoxyethanol.
Phenoxyethanol is a glycol ether that does what other preservatives do. It preserves a product’s shelf life and protects it from bacteria.
Just like benzyl alcohol, it can be derived from natural ingredients. A common natural ingredient is green tea. But like the others, it has synthetic counterparts.
Phenoxyethanol can be found in baby lotions, sunscreens, soaps, bubble baths, and shampoos.
Common side effects include dermatitis and eczema.
Are there natural alternatives?
So now that you know the presence of chemicals and their adverse effects on your child, you might wonder, “are there natural alternatives?”
Many baby products, specifically baby bottle dish soaps and shampoos, are made with organic ingredients.
Most of them are fragrance-free, making them comfortable for your child.However, you might wonder if these natural ingredients can do a good, if not a better job than them?
Well, as it turns out, they can.
Most of these chemicals are used as preservatives. As we can see with some of them, they can be derived from natural ingredients. So you can easily swap them out for natural ingredients and use them for preservatives.
Conclusion
A child’s health development is important to keep track of. They are much more vulnerable than us and need proper care until they form a stronger immune system.
By keeping them away from potentially dangerous chemicals and making them use personal care products with organic ingredients, you are ensuring a healthy lifestyle and future for them.
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