Monday, July 30, 2012

Even shower gel is harmful to baby!

Recent media attention concerning chemicals in baby products has caused much concern and alarm. Many of the baby products that we know, love, and have used for many years contain cancer-causing (carcinogenic) chemicals, specifically, 1,4-dioxane and formaldehyde. In addition to these two harmful chemicals, parents have to worry about the presence of phthalates and parabens in their personal care products as well as their baby's. 

I've done a powerful research on the ingredients in those normal baby shower gel and I'm "amazed" at the ingredients. If you read up in the net, these are the top ingredients that you MUST avoid.

Other top ingredients to avoid are:
  • Nitrosamine.
  • Parabens.
  • Phtalates.
  • Hydroquinone.
  • Sodium Laureth Sulfate or SLES
  • PEGs
  • Fragrance
  • Salicylic Acid 
Sigh, if only I knew this earlier, I would avoid it and go for Organics. Pay extra for a better health is worth it. At least the money goes to the right thing, instead of shopping for my clothes/shoes.
Her shower gel (Pureen Yoghurt), baby lotion (Johnson's), baby wipes (Pureen/Pigeon/Anakku) and diaper cream (Johnson's/Drapolene) all contain at least one of the harmful ingredients. =(

Happy Baby Head to Toe Cleanser 250ml RM39.90
After the awareness, immediately I went to Parkson and grab all the baby organic products for my baby. From head to toe, from shower gel to lotion to baby balm to nappy balm.. I bought a complete set of baby BUDS products. I researched the ingredients listed and I'm happy that I made the right choice, even though I spent RM270 for all the items (most of them I bought 2 sets)

Checkout the research that I've done below. All are safe ingredients and made from plants/herbs.

LIMONENE
Limonene is a chemical found in the peels of citrus fruits and in other plants. It is used to make medicine.

Linalool
Linalool is a chemical derived from flower and spice plants as a naturally occurring terpene alcohol. Linalool is generally safe. However, people with eczema have a 5-7% chance of having an adverse reaction if they come in contact with Linalool.

Citronella
Citronella oil is made by steam distillation of certain species of grasses in the Cymbopogon grouping of plants. Ceylon or Lenabatu citronella oil is produced from Cymbopogon nardus, and Java or Maha Pengiri citronella oil is produced from Cymbopogon winterianus. Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) also belongs to this grouping of plants, but it is not used to make citronella oil.

Geraniol
Gardeners and herbalists have known for centuries that geraniums have insect repelling properties, and this is because their oil contains geraniol. Geraniol is now extracted and used to make commercial insect repellant, which is effective against all sorts of critters from mosquitoes, all types of flies, cockroaches and fire ants to fleas, gnats and ticks. Geraniol can be found in bergamot (an ingredient of Earl Grey tea), carrots, coriander, lavender, lemon, lime, nutmeg, orange, rose, blueberries and blackberries.

XANTHAN GUM
Xanthan gum is a sugar-like compound made by mixing aged (fermented) sugars with a certain kind of bacteria. It is used to make medicine.
In manufacturing, xanthan gum is used as a thickening and stabilizing agent in foods, toothpastes, and medicines. Xanthan gum is also an ingredient in some sustained-release pills.

Glyceryl Oleate
The ester of glycerin and oleic acid, this is an emulsifier derived from naturally occurring oils and fats. It has been deemed safe to use in cosmetics.
glyceryl oleate raises no health concern because:

Coco Glucoside
Coco Glucoside is an non-ionic surfactant that can be used as a foaming agent, conditioner or emulsifier. It is derived from renewable raw materials such as coconut oil and fruit sugars, and is completely biodegradable. It contains no diethanolamides, lauryl sulfates, laureth sulfates, parabens or formaldehyde.

Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate
This ingredient made from coconuts also acts as moisturizer and emulsifier. Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate is a very mild, gently foaming agent derived from the amino acid glutamic acid and coconut fatty acid. It is used in mild shampoos and cleansing products.

Tocopherol
The various kinds of substances labeled tocopherol or vitamin E are found in natural foods like spinach, nuts and vegetable oils. They are also present in some processed foods like breakfast cereals, where foods that were otherwise not high in vitamins are fortified with a variety of vitamins including vitamin E.

Sodium coco-glucoside tartrate
SOURCE: coconut, beet, grape
Surfactant derived from natural renewal raw materials that is mild on the skin and will not irritate the eyes.

CHOOSE ORGANICS FOR A PEACE OF MIND!
I will check the ingredients for the other baby BUDS products....... take some time, stay tuned =D

5 comments:

  1. Wow...I didn't know that. I used Johnson's Baby Bath and now i need to check that product's ingredients.

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  2. Very informative. I thought baby products are meant to be gentle for baby. Didn't know there are so many harmful ingredients.

    Can I know which Pigeon baby wipes are you using? I'm using Pigeon baby wipes and I didn't see any of the ingredients you mentioned. The one I bought is Pigeon Baby Wipes Chamomile + Rosehip (red & white packaging).

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  3. Yes! Even they mention safe/gentle for baby's skin, check the ingredients. The more gentle, the more you need to take note. Those no tears formula I believe has extra chemicals that make it gentle to baby's eyes. The organics' baby cleanser is not a no tear cleanser, since it's all natural.

    Yeah, I compared the Chammomile Pigeon and couldnt find the ingredients, so I guess it's safe? But those normal wipes from Pigeon contains paraben. I'm using the Pigeon Hand and Mouth wipes and it contains Paraben.

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  4. How about Pureen Baby Wipe? safe to use?

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  5. Hi ! Majority of the baby wipes contains some harmful chemicals.. I only use it when I'm out and about. At home, I will use facial cotton with water. And never use baby wipes to wipe baby's face. Their skin is too delicate...

    ReplyDelete