It takes 26 seconds for chemicals to enter our bloodstream…  Babies’ skin in one third thinner than adult skin and they absorb more chemicals from their products than adults do. One in three babies suffer from a sensitive skin condition and many continue to develop eczema. Midwives and health visitors recommend not using baby wipes for the first few months of a baby’s life.

I decided to look into the ingredients of four baby wipes, all of which are marketed as “sensitive” and “gentle” and here is what I found. Let’s see what is in our conventional disposable baby wipes!

Pampers Sensitive Wipes

Pampers describe their baby wipes as “sensitive” and “gentle”. Let’s take a look at the ingredients below and decide…

Ingredients: Aqua Citric Acid PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil Benzyl Alcohol Sodium Citrate Phenoxyethanol Sodium Benzoate Xanthan Gum Disodium EDTA Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone Ethylhexylglycerin Pentadecalactone Dipropylene Glycol Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice Maltodextrin Bisabolol Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract Tocopherol

Here’s a breakdown of the nasties:

PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil: it can instigate immune system response that can include itching, burning, scaling, hives, and blistering of skin.

Benzyl Alcohol: Synthetically derived from petroleum or coal tar. It is a preservative and solvent. It can cause headaches, skin and mucus membrane irritations, neuro – and liver toxicity and it is on the National Institute of Health’s hazard list.

Phenoxyethanol: It is a preservative, it may cause mild allergic rashes in sensitive people.

Sodium Benzoate: It is often classed as a low hazard ingredient, there are still some concerns regarding developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, irritation and biochemical cellular changes.

Ethylhexylglycerin: It is a skin irritant and can cause allergic contact dermatitis.

Pentadecalactone: According to the Environmental Working Group Pentadecalactone is a suspected environmental toxin.

Dipropylene glycol: It takes about 48 hours for this solvent to break down in the body. Repeated eye, skin, nasal, or oral exposures to this substance can cause some skin irritations as well as respiratory toxicity.

Just looking at the ingredients, I feel disgusted and wonder how on earth they can get away with marketing this product as “gentle cleaning wipes”?!

As you can see, baby wipes that are labelled as “sensitive” can contain just as much toxins and harmful chemicals as regular wipes.

Huggies Soft Skin Wipes 

Ingredients: Aqua PEG-50 Shea Butter Aloe Barbadensis Extract Tocopheryl Acetate Potassium Laureth Phosphate Glycerin Polysorbate 20 Tetrasodium EDTA Methylisothiazolinone Methylparaben Malic Acid Parfum

There are a couple of ingredients above that are actually good for your baby’s skin (Shea Butter and Aloe Barbadensis); the rest are toxic cleansers, preservatives and enhancer.

Tocopheryl Acetate: It is a form of Vitamin E, many sites consider it non-toxic. However, it can cause itching, burning and blisters.

Potassium Laureth Phosphate: Cleansing agent used in many soaps, shampoos and cosmetics. It is made up of carcinogens.

Polysorbate 20: Emulsifier; linked to skin irritations and allergies.

Tetrasodium EDTA: Preservative; adverse effects can include asthma, skin and mucus membrane irritation and kidney damage. It is on the National Institute of Health’s hazard list.

Methylisothiazolinone: Preservative, bacterial mutagen. It may cause allergic reactions and skin cancer.

Methylparaben: Preservative that may cause allergic reactions and contact dermatitis. Endocrine disruption.

Naty for Nature Babycare – Eco Sensitive Wipes – Unscented

These wipes are made by an award winning green company. This is what they say about their wipes: “Our wipes are made from 100% natural materials, are hypo-allergenic, completely free of chlorine, and contain no alcohol.” Now let’s look at the ingredients that they keep quiet about:

Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Glycerin, Benzyl Alcohol, Sodium Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Dehydroacetic Acid, Decyl Glucoside, Citric Acid, Chamomilla Recutita Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice

Benzyl Alcohol: Synthetically derived from petroleum or coal tar. It is a preservative and solvent. It can cause headaches, skin and mucus membrane irritations, neuro – and liver toxicity and it is on the National Institute of Health’s hazard list.

Sodium Benzoate: It is often classed as a low hazard ingredient, there are still some concerns regarding developmental and reproductive toxicity, organ system toxicity, irritation and biochemical cellular changes.

Propylene Glycol: Synthetic solvent made from petroleum. It can cause contact dermatitis, skin rashes, respiratory, immune- and neurotoxicity and increased absorption of other substances.

Dehydroacetic Acid: It is a synthetic preservative. According to the Environmental Working Group it is “classified as toxic or harmful (only for products for use around the mouth; products for use on the lips”. Now this is scary when you think how many children you see sucking these wipes…

Well, these award winning wipes are not so “sensitive” and “natural” after all. However, I do like the fact that their wipes are chlorine and alcohol free and are made of unbleached wood pulp.

Jackson Reece Kinder by Nature Natural Unscented Baby Wipes

Ingredients: Aqua (Purified and Deionised Water) *Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice (Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, moisturiser and cleanser) Betaine (Humectant derived from Vegetable, to help moisturise the skin) Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside (derived from Vegetable, gentle cleansing agent) Levulinic Acid (Vegetable derived Preservative) Sodium Levullinate (Vegetable derived Preservative) Glycerine (Vegetable, based Preservative carrier) Potassium Sorbate (Preservative) Sodium Citrate (pH adjuster derived from Sugar Beet) *Certified Organic Ingredients *Aloe Vera Certified Organic

I could not find any concerning ingredients in these wipes. In terms of preservatives, they use potassium sorbate which is one of the safest ones out there. Lots of vegetable derived and organic ingredients. And best of all the wipe material is made of chlorine free wood pulp that is 100% biodegradable.

In my opinion, store bought wipes are convenient but really not necessary. When it comes to baby wipes, I agree with health visitors, you do not need to use anything else, other than water and organic cotton wool in the first few months of your baby’s life.  Later you can add a drop of  castile soap for more cleansing power.

Take extra special care of your baby’s delicate skin!

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If you are worried about harmful chemicals in your children’s products, join our Facebook community where you can discuss your concerns with like-minded parents. Raising Toxin Free Children. 

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About the Author: Aniko Sziraczki is a Kinesiologist with a background in psychology. She is very passionate about green parenting as well as healthy eating and toxin-free living. She set up a Facebook group called Raising Toxin Free Children. It is for parents and alternative health therapists to share their knowledge about the impact of various chemicals on the bodies and health of children. It is a safe and supportive place to get advice and support about toxin-free living and parenting.