Just because a product states it is a natural baby shampoo or baby wash does not guarantee that it will soothe your baby’s sensitive skin or moisturize their hair.
Indeed, some baby wash can potentially affect your baby’s health, especially if they have skin conditions, such as eczema.
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The Truth About Personal Care Baby Product Safety Standards
How can this be? The standards for personal care products, such as baby soap, are different than those for food in the U.S. First unless it’s otherwise specified, you may have no idea where the soap is made let alone what ingredient formula was used in its creation.
Baby shampoo and wash can be touted as having natural ingredients and being gentle on the skin. But, the term “natural” has no legal definition when used in the context of personal care products.
Furthermore, the label may list ingredients as being natural, but through the manufacturing process, their effectiveness may be negated.
That means although the label lists natural ingredients for their baby shampoo, they may not actually properly moisturize or be gentle on the skin.
This can come as quite a surprise for those moms and dads looking for the best wash and shampoo for their baby.
Furthermore, although fragrance, when added to these products release such a wonderful scent, it can be created via the use of synthetic fragrances.
You may never know what chemicals you are allowing your baby to absorb, as fragrance formulation often falls under the guise of trade secrets. This can lead your baby to possibly absorb a myriad of toxic chemicals [1].
Other compounds called phthalates are often used as a preservative in soap and shampoo. But, babies exposed to phthalates in utero and early childhood have been shown to have an increase in altered hormone concentrations, increased allergies, runny nose, and eczema [2].
Phthalates were first grandfathered into the Toxic Substances Control Act of 1976. They are everywhere [3].
They are used to make plastic flexible and found in cosmetics, soaps, and lotions. As for the latter two, they are more dangerous in lotions.
These remain on the skin, whereas soap is washed off. Still, evidence suggests that exposure to phthalates may put your baby’s health at risk.
Do you love that your baby shampoo and wash has a rich lather? You may have to look a little bit closer at the ingredients. Chemicals, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, is a compound that is a paraben.
Although it creates that rich lather that we love to massage into our children, parabens have been noted to create side effects (especially in babies and young children.)
Exposure at a young age can potentially compromise their growth and development [4]. Sulfates, while providing cleaning for the hair, scalp, and skin have been noted to cause allergic reactions such as redness, itching, and hives.
Kids with eczema are especially susceptible to developing contact dermatitis via parabens, as these kids tend to have lower levels of ceramides (a fatty acid [5].)
Finding The Best Organic Shampoo And Natural Baby Wash
So, what’s a concerned parent to do? They must look beyond “natural baby shampoo” and “gentle baby shampoo” labels.
Although personal care products do not undergo mandatory safety testing, you can look for products whose manufacturers choose to undergo testing.
These products will display a seal on their label. MADE OF organic shampoo and fragrance free body wash is one such manufacturer.
NSF Organic Standard
When choosing an organic baby shampoo, look for the NSF label. This label ensures the product contains at least 70% organic ingredients by weight. This certification also has specific requirements governing organic ingredients, processes, and production specifications.
EWG Verified
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) tracks chemical safety in consumer products. Products with this certification must not contain any EWG-designated ingredients that have health, ecotoxicity, or contamination concerns.
Manufacturers must also disclose all ingredients, including fragrance. These are then scrutinized by EWG scientists, chemists, epidemiologists, and toxicologists [6].
Leaping Bunny
The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics (CCIC) is composed of 8 national animal protection groups that define the gold-standard, through the internationally recognized Leaping Bunny Logo. This cruelty-free certification is for personal care and household products.
USDA Biopreferred
This program is managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (UDDA) with the intent to increase the purchase and use of products derived from plants, renewable agriculture, marine, and forestry materials.
This label assures the consumer that the product contains a verifiable amount of biological ingredients.
Certified Vegan
Vegan Certified products do not contain any animal products or byproducts and have not been tested on animals. Manufacturers that have this certification have submitted their processes to the Vegan Awareness Foundation that guarantee that the product and manufacturing are animal-free.
Ultimate Transparency Promise
In addition to all of the above certifications, MADE OF also includes their Ultimate Transparency Promise on their products.
They share each ingredient’s origin, source, product certifications, actual independent lab results, as well as where the product was manufactured. The MADE OF has defined the gold standard in commitment to transparency.
Why is this essential? A baby’s skin is naturally sensitive. It also goes through a lot of changes once they are born.
MADE OF knows that the last thing parents want to worry about is what they are putting on their baby’s scalp or body.
It’s typical for a baby to develop minor skin irritations. Whether it is diaper rash or baby eczema, a parent wants to ensure they are soothing the skin, not making the rash worse.
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Why MADE OF Is The Best Baby Wash For Sensitive Skin
Reading and understanding a product label is an essential part of baby care. A label for baby soap or baby wash should let parents know exactly what they are putting on their skin and hair beyond being “tear free or “gentle”.
After all, you are not only putting your baby at potentially a risk for skin irritation but the absorption of toxic chemicals.
Babies are born with sensitive skin. During the course of their babyhood, it’s not unusual for them to develop diaper rash, cradle cap or baby eczema.
While diaper rash can be tempered with timely diaper changes, good hygiene, and diapers free from irritating chemicals, eczema and cradle cap requires different care.
MADE OF had this mind when they created their organic shampoo and body wash. First, they created one product that can clean both your little one’s hair and body, so you don’t have to switch from shampoo to soap.
Second, they used plant-based ingredients that are hypoallergenic. The scent in their formula is derived from plants, not a formula composed of synthetic chemicals. How can you ensure that MADE OF makes the best baby wash and tear-free shampoo?
Look at the label. MADE OF sensitive skin baby body wash contains no soy, GMO’s, nuts, fungi, bleach or bacteria. So, what does it contain?
Organic Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has long been valued for its anti-inflammatory, and hydration properties.
Organic Calendula
Calendula is derived from the pot marigold plant. Its extract acts as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, and is a valued skin conditioner to soothe baby’s skin.
Organic Comfrey Oil
This healing oil is created from a perennial flower plant of the Symphytum. It’s been used to soothe minor skin irritations.
Organic Jojoba Oil
Jojoba oil is gathered from the seeds of the Simmondsia Chinensis shrub. The oil is non-comedogenic so that it won’t clog your little one’s pores. It’s used as an emulsifier and skin conditioner.
Organic Sunflower Oil
This oil is derived from the seeds of the sunflower plant. It’s valued because it does not leave any greasy residue making it one of the best baby massage oils around.
Caprylhydroxamic Acid
This is an amino acid that is derived from raw virgin coconut oil. It has strong antimicrobial properties. Caprylhydroxamic acid replaces parabens as a natural preservative.
Decyl Glucoside
This gentle cleansing agent will not strip the skin of its natural oils. The ingredient is formed from sugar or glucose polymers. Decyl glucoside is used instead of sulfates, providing a soothing cleanser for sensitive skin.
Organic Glycerin
Organic glycerin is a natural emollient humectant that boosts moisture levels. The glycerin is derived from vegetable fat and is a favorite ingredient in organic baby products.
Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate
This is another surfactant and emulsifier that comes from coconut oil and milk. It maintains hydration while conditioning skin. Plus, it has a lightly sweet natural scent making a perfect addition to any organic baby formula.
Glyceryl Caprylate
Glyceryl Caprylate also functions as a skin conditioning agent in moisturizers, lotions, and soap. EWG rates overall health concerns for this ingredient as low.
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Bath Care For Common Newborn Skin Irritations
Eczema
It’s not unusual for babies to develop eczema during their first few months. The red, crusty patches of skin are typically rough and itchy. Babies can develop eczema anywhere on their body, although most often it affects the cheeks and joints of their arms and legs.
What causes eczema? No one really knows. The skin condition may be due to an issue with the skin barrier that allows germs in and moisture out. Also, it’s believed eczema occurs when the body makes too few fatty cells called ceramides.
The result is a loss of water and very dry skin. It’s not unusual for parents to mistaken eczema for cradle cap. But, eczema tends to be much redder and scalier. There are other differences, as well. Eczema tends to run in families.
How To Bathe A Baby With Eczema
Babies with eczema have extremely sensitive skin. The last thing you want to do is encourage a flare-up.
Avoid hot temperatures and long periods in the water. These things can weaken the skin barrier.
Use MADE OF organic hypoallergenic baby wash that will not allow absorption of harmful chemicals and is gentle on baby’s skin.
When it comes time for drying, pat dry your baby with a soft towel. Never rub the skin. Apply MADE OF organic lotion afterward.
Cradle Cap
Cradle cap is also called seborrheic dermatitis. Dermatitis is the result of a direct irritation by an allergic reaction or an external agent.
In this case, the small glands in the skin secrete an oily substance (sebum) into the hair follicles. Cradle cap is also known as infant dandruff. Any baby can get cradle cap. It is not indicative of poor hygiene.
Cradle cap is typically found on the scalp, eyelids, eyebrows, behind the ears, and on either side of the nose.
The affected area may be a bit reddened. In more severe cases, yellow, oily patches form called plaque.
Cradle cap typically clears up by the time the child is 8 months old. In rare cases, cradle cap can become inflamed or infected.
Researchers aren’t sure what causes cradle cap. Some thoughts are that it may be due to left-over maternal hormones, a yeast imbalance, fungal infection, or an insufficient immune system.
How To Bathe A Baby With Cradle Cap
Typically, cradle cap resolves on its own. Brush through the hair with a soft-bristled brush. Instead of using mineral oil, wash thoroughly with MADE OF organic shampoo, followed up with MADE OF baby cream to avoid further irritation.
General Tips For Bathing Your Baby
For first-time parents, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind when it comes to your little one’s bath time needs.
- Sponge baths are recommended until the umbilical cord falls off naturally. This can happen within a week or two.
- Don’t bathe your baby daily or use soap to wash their skin when they are a newborn. Plain water is enough during the first few days.
- Dab gently, especially in the creases of your baby such as the chin, toes, and even diaper area.
- Use mild moisturizing baby shampoo and baby soap that will not cause dry skin.
The Bottom Line: Baby Wash Checklist
You will need to be careful with your choice of baby products for your baby’s skin care routine as there are some that may contain harsh chemicals.
If you are wondering what to look for in baby shampoo and soap, consider the following factors.
Read the bottle labels
Just because the bottle includes natural ingredients, the end product may not be natural at all. Read the label as well as the list of ingredients used to ensure that there are no synthetic fragrances or toxic chemicals included.
Avoid chemicals and dyes
Many shampoos and soaps come with synthetic fragrances, dyes, and chemicals like parabens, phthalates, and sulfates. These are considered irritants and should be avoided being used on your baby’s sensitive skin.
Choose hypoallergenic shampoos
If you are looking for baby shampoo, look for one that is made from hypoallergenic ingredients. This means that the product is made from safe ingredients that will not cause any allergic reactions when used on your little one.
Switch to organic shampoo
Use organic based shampoos, washes, and soap if you want to reduce exposing your baby to harsh chemicals that are found in many commercial products.
When it comes to buying the best baby wash for sensitive skin, pay attention to what you are buying.
As mentioned earlier, keep in mind that not all baby products are safe, as some may contain parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and other drying or toxic ingredients.
MADE OF Foaming Baby Shampoo and Body Wash is the perfect product for your baby’s sensitive skin.
It’s ideal for babies that have cradle cap or eczema as well as for babies whose parents just want to put a healthy product on their scalp and skin.
Best Baby Wash For Sensitive Skin Resources:
[1] Scientific American; Scent of Danger: Are There Toxic Ingredients in Perfumes and Colognes?, Scientific American, A Division Of Springer Nature America, Inc, 2019.[2] American Academy of Pediatrics; Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure, Sheela Sathyanarayana, Catherine J. Karr, Paula Lozano, Elizabeth Brown, Antonia M. Calafat, Fan Liu, Shanna H. Swan, February 2008.
[3] United States Environmental Protection Agency; Strengthened Dust-Lead Hazard Standards to Protect Children from Lead Exposure, January 19, 2017.
[4] Breast Cancer Prevention Partners; Parabens.
[5] National Center for Biotechnology Information; Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) induced irritant contact dermatitis: a correlation study between ceramides and in vivo parameters of irritation, Di Nardo A, Sugino K, Wertz P, Ademola J, Maibach Hl., August 1996.
[6] Know your environment. Protect your health; Expert Panel Confirms that Fragrance Ingredient Can Cause Cancer, Tina Sigurdson, Former Assistant General Counsel, August 07, 2014.
