Baby Care Products Found to Contain Ingredients Contaminated With Toxins
May 2, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
There is now a huge market targeting special baby care products. Ads in all media forms play on the emotions of parents who want the best for their children. However, many cosmetic companies have their profit margin firmly placed as their priority rather than the quality of their products.
These lotions, potions and cleansers are advertised beautifully. We are told these products are “pure’ “gentle” “refreshing” Delightful babies, someones’ little treasures showing how vunerable they are, needing our protection and nurturing.
The advertisment, in print or on TV, assure us that the Babies’ wellbeing is their prime motivation!
How sickening, then it was to read the report released by EWG, in March 2009. The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics purchased baby lotion, bubble bath, shampoo and other products, 48 in all and sent them, unopened to an indepentent laboratory for testing. The findings were astounding and I quote:-
17 out of 28 products tested – 61 percent – contained both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane. 23 out of 28 products – 82 percent – contained formaldehyde at levels ranging from 54 to 610 parts per million (ppm). 32 out of 48 products – 67 percent – contained 1,4-dioxane at levels ranging from 0.27 to 35 ppm.
While a single product might not be cause for concern, the reality is that babies may be exposed to several products at bath time, several times a week, in addition to other chemical exposures in the home and environment. Those small exposures add up and may contribute to later-life disease.
This link will take you to the full report from Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.
Some of the famous brands listed here may surprise you!
Formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane are known carcinogens; formaldehyde can also trigger skin rashes in some children. Unlike many other countries, the U.S. government does not limit formaldehyde, 1,4-dioxane, or most other hazardous substances in personal care products.
The chemicals were not disclosed on product labels because they’re contaminants, not ingredients, and therefore are exempt from labeling laws.
Formaldehyde contaminates personal care products when common preservatives release formaldehyde over time in the container. Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea and diazolidinyl urea.
1,4-dioxane is a by-product of a chemical processing technique called ethoxylation, in which cosmetic ingredients are processed with ethylene oxide. Although manufactures can easily remove the toxic by-product, they are not required by law to do so. Common ingredients likely to be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane include PEG-100 stearate, sodium laureth sulfate, polyethylene and ceteareth-20.
Fragrance is another dangerous ingredient. Used to mask the smell of other chemicals, a fragrance can be made up of up to 400 elements. The most common reason for allergy and side effects usually point back to a reaction to the fragrance.
Even those products claiming to be ‘natural’ or ‘organic’ may contain chemicals. Be on the look out for cocoamidopropyl betaine often listed as coco betaine, so it doesn’t sound too ‘chemical’ this foaming agent for shampoo, bubble bath and baby wash is made by synthesising oil with ammonia and a toxic herbicide! Who can imagine applying that to a baby?!
Then there are those products that contain a long list of chemicals and a few organic ingredients that make up a small percentage of the entire product so the manufactures can make ‘organic’ claims. Be sure to purchase products that have an organic certification… from the USDA or ACO or IFoam these are your guarantee of an independent third party proof of an organic claim.
Natural Baby Skin Care – What to Use and Why
April 22, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Mothers are increasingly using natural baby skin care products as part of their baby’s daily routine.
For example, using a mandarin shampoo and body wash, followed by lavender baby lotion will fragrance your nursery and create a perfect ambience for a baby’s bedtime.
When considering buying baby products, there are five main ingredients that are regarded as the most effective in today’s skin care creams. These ingredients are: chamomile, lavender, mandarin, calendula and red clover. Each one has different beneficial properties and products that use them are considered perfect for a baby’s delicate and sensitive skin.
Let’s start with chamomile. This natural ingredient has strong healing properties, so it is helpful for soothing dry or irritated skin. Skin care creams that include chamomile are also useful for treating eczema. This natural ingredient can be used at a baby’s bathtime to soothe a fretful infant. The aroma is also believed to help during teething.
Lavender, meanwhile, is beneficial for helping babies get to sleep. It has relaxing properties that are great at any time of day. As well as its aromatherapy skin care effects, lavender-based creams and oils also possess antibiotic, antiseptic, and detoxifying properties.
Mandarin is great at balancing your baby’s mood. Organic baby products that include mandarin tend to have a calming influence. It can also be useful in aiding sleep, and helping digestion if your baby has colic, or is irritable.
Calendula is a well-established herbal remedy. Organic creams use it to help heal cuts or scratches and to soothe irritated skin. It is an anti-inflammatory ingredient, so it’s perfect for tender, dry or chafed skin.
Finally, red clover is another naturally effective anti-inflammatory. Natural baby skin care creams that use red clover as a main ingredient are ideal for soothing skin irritations. Red clover creams are particularly effective to help eliminate nappy rash.
Paba, Benzophenone, Parabens, Padimate-O in Sun Care Products
June 27, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
What we put on our skin goes into our bloodstream, and to a degree into breast milk, so it’s important to choose clean, healthy sun care products for you and your baby’s skin. So what exactly do you need to avoid when choosing a sunscreen? Here are some unsavory, even toxic, ingredients you will want to stay away from.
PABA: This is not widely used anymore, but just in case. Many people are very sensitive to this ingredient and can end up with red, itchy skin.
Benzophenone (benzophenone-3), homosalate, and octy-methoxycinnamate (octinoxate): These chemicals are bad news because they have shown estrogenic activity in lab tests. Oxybenzone is aderivative of benzophenone and it is linked to allergies, hormone disruption, and cell damage. According to the CDC 97% of Americans are contaminated with this widely-used sunscreen ingredient.
Parabens (butyl-, ethyl-, methyl-, and propyl-): Parabens are common in sunscreens so avoiding them may prove difficult. They are preservatives that have estrogenic qualities. They have produced abnormal hormonal effects following on laboratory rodents, particularly male, resulting in decreased testosterone levels and other abnormalities. They have also been found to accumulate in the breast tissue of women with breast cancer.
Padimate-O and Parsol 1789 (Avobenzone): While on the surface of the skin these chemicals appear to prevent UV damage but when absorbed into the skin they can actually damage DNA. There is evidence that the sun’s light may cause these chemicals to become reactive and cause free-radical damage when they’re absorbed. I find it alarming that pediatricians often recommend these very ingredients.
In general if you want to know which sunscreens are usually loaded with the bad stuff….oh just the easy to find ones like Coppertone, Banana Boat, Avon, Nivea, Neutrogena, The Body Shop, etc. Also even some of the ones that appear to be more natural like Kiss My Face or Aveeno have some pretty dirty sunscreens.
Shea Butter Benefits for Baby’s Skin
June 15, 2009 by admin · Leave a Comment
t98hx3pp8g – One of the many things that mothers and fathers do consistently for their baby is tend to their skin. They want to have the most protective lotions and creams, and the best quality products. There are products for diaper rash, regular rashes, to help calm your baby, and keep his or her skin healthy and soft. Many mothers and fathers are turning to natural products to put on their baby. Recent studies include frightening results for parents and others alike. Many of our products that we use everyday are pumped full of chemicals, preservatives and toxins that are damaging to health. It has prompted people to turn to something different.
Shea Butter that is all natural and unrefined is one of the best things you can put on your baby’s sensitive skin. It has healing properties and is amazing for many things. Here are just a few things that it is good for.
Diaper Rash - Shea Butter is great for treating and preventing diaper rash. For irritated and red skin that’s caused by diaper rash, it can be smoothed on for relief and comfort. To prevent diaper rash, all a parent has to do is smooth it on just like they would their old diaper rash cream. It creates an effective layer that will keep wetness off of your baby’s skin, and prevent diaper rash.
Calming - Shea Butter which has had a great essential oil, like Lavender, is great for soothing your cranky baby. After a warm bath, it can be rubbed on your baby, and the Lavender will sooth him or her and promote a good night’s sleep. The Shea Butter will protect baby’s delicate skin while the calming Lavender does it’s work.
Lip Balm - Shea Butter can be rubbed right on baby’s lips to keep them from becoming cracked if he or she has chapped lips. Often times, this can result from teething and constant moisture around the mouth. It contains latex, which provides a natural barrier against moisture while it soothes dry, chapped lips.
Protection against Sun - Shea Butter contains Cinnamic acid, which naturally protects baby’s skin against the sun. While it’s not a replacement for sunscreen, applying Shea Butter can help protect your baby’s sensitive skin. This is great for normal inside days when you wouldn’t apply sunscreen. UV rays can still reach your baby in the shade, on an overcast day, and even indoors with the windows open.
Baths - You can add Shea Butter to a warm bath to soothe your baby’s skin. Just heat the Shea Butter a bit until it’s melted and add it to the running water. Make sure that there are no ‘hot spots’ before you place your baby in the bath water. This is great for helping maintain your baby’s soft and healthy skin.
There are many things you can do with Shea Butter to help your baby’s sensitive skin. You can do some great things for his or her skin, and your own peace of mind. You know that you are not placing anything harmful on your baby, and that is a valuable thing to know.
