Ingredients to Avoid
in Organic Skin Care Products
Organic skin care products are more loosely regulated than food or cotton products, so it's important to read the labels with discernment. Here are some things you should avoid when selecting baby skin care.
- If you can't pronounce or understand the ingredients, keep looking.
If the manufacturer doesn't bother to put it in (simple terms) it is likely something included to benefit their bottom line, not your baby's bottom. In most cases, these mystery ingredients preserve the shelf life and make the product look and smell more appealing so you'll want to buy it. - Mineral oil/Petrolatum/paraffin are byproducts of crude oil, and they are cheap to use.
Baby oil is 100% mineral oil. It holds in moisture, but prevents your body from releasing unwanted toxins. Mineral oil can also block the body's absorption of essential vitamins and nutrients. - Parabens (methyl, propyl, butyl and ethyl).
These preservatives and antibacterials are used in shampoos, creams and baby lotions to extend product shelf life. They are petroleum-based and can cause dermatitis and other allergic reactions. Parabens are thought to alter estrogen levels and the Environmental Protection Agency issued a report expressing concern about parabens showing up in our sewage systems (from humans) and posing a risk to aquatic life. - Talc powder.
The Cancer Coalition states that talc is a toxic carcinogen that can cause ovarian and lung cancer with repeated exposure. It is also used in soaps, deodorants and in food processing. - Phthalates
These have been in the news lately. They are found in fragrances in shampoos, lotions and powders, but their true intention is to make plastic soft. They can leach out of plastics so why would anyone want them on their skin? According to TIME.com, studies have been done on phthalates in urine from babies' diapers. They are toxic, carcinogenic and have been linked to infertility. Note that companies are not required to list the ingredients of fragrances, so the product could have them and they not show up on the label. - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Suflfate are foaming agents found in many shampoos and hair conditioners.
They can be disguised in labels as "comes from coconut" You can find these in other garage floor cleaners and engine de-greasers. They have been linked to eye injury as well as cell membrane and immune system damage. - Isopropyl alcohol SD 40.
It is not only drying, but it strips the skin of natural acids, making the skin more vulnerable to bacteria, molds and viruses. SD 40 comes from propylene and may promote brown spots and premature aging of skin. - Glycol is used as a humectant.
It comes in several forms and is carcinogenic and mutagenic. - FD&C Color Pigments are synthetic colors made from coal tar.
They contain heavy metal salts that deposit toxins in the skin. Animal studies have shown them to be carcinogenic (causes cancer). - Here are some more ingredients to avoid.
Aerosol propellants
Aluminum by-products
Benzoates
Diethanolamine (DEA, TEA)
DMDM hydantoin or MDM (a form of formaldehyde)
Flouride
Nitrates, nitrosamins and sulfur compounds
Quaternium 15 (also a form of formaldehyde)
Toluene
Triclosan
1, 4-Dioxane (a known carcinogen)
In closing, I will tell you that you can find information justifying the use of each of these chemical ingredients in baby skin care products. However, why take the chance when there are more natural organic skin care products available for you and your baby? Nature's Paradise is just one line of certified organic baby skin care products. We use and love these in our home because they are free of toxic ingredients.
Skin Care Resources:- Sources for this section include: Organic Baby: Simple Steps for Healthy Living by Kim Ryder, Raising Baby Green by Alan Greene, M.D. and other sources cited above.
- To learn more about specific chemicals in organic skin care products you are using in your home visit Scorecard.org and type in the name of the ingredient.
- If you're unsure about the safety of products you are already using, check The Environmental Working Group's Skindeep Database. You can look up products by brand name or product type and see how they score.
Related Articles:
What to Look For in Organic Skin Care Products
Natures Paradise™ Skin Care Line Product Review
Natural Baby Skin Care Treatments: Using Food-Based Oils
Natural Baby Eczema Treatment and Prevention
Natural Baby Sun Protection
Return from Organic Skin Care Products to Baby Skin Care
Return to Organic Baby Home Page
|
