When you have a baby, your entire world changes. That little human has become the most precious person on the planet to you, and you would do anything to keep them safe. You want to protect them in every way you possibly can, from both outside societal dangers to simple household items that could cause harmful impacts. Even if you have baby-proofed your entire home, there could still be some hidden harmful elements that you may or may not be aware of, such as commonly used chemicals in skincare products used for baby skin.

Products Containing Harmful Chemicals

Next time you are reaching for an available product from the shelf, take a moment to read the label first. It is pretty alarming to know that there are no regulations for body care products, including ones designed for babies. With this in mind, there is quite a scary amount of chemicals in baby skincare products, such as Phthalates, Propylene Glycol, Sodium Borate, DMDM Hydantoin, and Talc (see our No Nasties list for the complete list). If you see any of these chemicals listed on the ingredients, you should look for something else. Collectively, these chemicals can impose short term effects such as skin irritants and eczema to long term effects such as kidney damage, liver problems, respiratory problems, and can even be cancer provoking.

 Environmental Impacts

I know that your baby is your first priority, but another thing to note is that these chemicals are also negatively impacting the environment. You may be wondering how this is possible, and the answer is this happens in a few different ways. The most common reason is when these chemicals get washed down the drain, it can make its way into lakes, streams, rivers, public water systems, and the ocean causing ecosystem damage and even death to some aquatic species.

In addition, if you use baby skincare wipes, these products tend to be made up of synthetic fibers, meaning it does not break down or biodegrade, ultimately clogging up landfill sites, blocking up sewage systems. The blockage means that the sewage system will overflow into rivers and oceans, where water creatures may ingest it and either get sick or die.

What now?  Keeping Your Baby Safe 

If you have been using conventional skincare products for your baby, do not beat yourself up over it.  Being a parent is hard enough as it is. What you can do from here on out is look for skincare products that are all-natural and have chemical-free components that are both perfect for your baby’s skin and the environment simultaneously. Eco Mamas Market only sells products that are free of these harmful chemicals, our Better Products Promise, so you don’t have to read all the labels and remember all those crazy chemical names. You could also make your own, but be careful to use reputable sources for recipes. Whatever you decide to choose, just make sure it is as safe as possible so you can solidify your confidence that your baby has optimal protection while helping the environment they will be growing up in.