You probably already know that your baby’s sensitive skin is best nourished by safe, clean skincare products that are less likely to cause irritation.
But when it comes to your own hygiene and personal care, it’s tempting to keep using the same makeup, skincare and personal care products you’ve been using for years.
Your baby will inevitably be exposed to your personal care products, whether they’re snuggling up to your made-up face or bathing in a bathroom with aerosols hanging in the air. That’s why it’s so important to consider the effects of artificial and chemical ingredients on your kids’ health and your own. Your parental influence will build a healthy, strong family. Whether you are looking for good hygiene tips for teens or ingredients to avoid in skincare, we’re here to help.
In this short guide, we’ll go over the reasons why your whole family should make a permanent switch to clean products.
The Perks of Clean Personal Care
If your parents sprayed down the household with bleach-based cleaning products, you probably got the message that heavy-duty chemical cleaners were the only way to get squeaky clean.
Likewise, the past few decades have seen a rise in the popularity of synthetically-derived personal care products, including:
- Chemical sunscreen
- Artificial perfumes with “fragrance” on the ingredient list
- Hair products and skincare products with petroleum-derived ingredients
If you’re used to using these products, you may feel like they give you results you can rely on.
But are they working as well as you think they are?
Take a moment and think about whether you and your older kids are prone to some of the same issues that you notice on your baby’s sensitive skin:
- Dryness – If your skin always feels parched, your skincare regime could be the culprit. Foaming cleansers and products that contain alcohol can dry out the epidermis, the outer layers of the skin.
- Irritability – You may think that “sensitive skin” is a life sentence for red spots, blotchiness, and occasional itches. But the key to soothing skin is reducing environmental triggers—including those in your personal care routine!
- Flakey scalp – The same ingredients that can cause dryness on the face and body can easily lead to dry, flakey scalp skin. Is dry skin the cause of your dandruff?
If your baby experiences cradle cap or eczema, you make the switch to a different product in a heartbeat. So if you, your teen, or your tween is experiencing unwanted skin issues and skin irritation, clean products could be the solution. Not all eczema creams or moisturizers are created equal! We recommend you take a close look at the ingredients to ensure there are no harmful chemicals or known skin irritants.
As an added bonus, you may lower the chances of your childrens’ exposure to potentially harmful ingredients during cuddle and playtime.
Next, we’ll look over some of the harmful ingredients to avoid.
Ingredients to Avoid in Skincare
If you’re a parent searching for personal care products, it’s tempting to throw the first pretty label you see in your cart. After all, you have plenty of other things on your plate!
At the same time, it’s essential to check out labels for ingredients that are potentially harmful for babies’ sensitive skin. These include:
- Parabens
- Petroleum-derived ingredients including mineral oil
- Phthalates
Let’s take a closer look at some of these potentially problematic ingredients and the reasons why you should avoid them.
Why Are Parabens Bad?
Let’s be real—tons of brands boast paraben-free formulas, but what are parabens? And why are paraben-free products better?
Let us explain.
Parabens are chemical compounds created by reacting p-hydroxybenzoic acid with an alcohol.
- Artificial p-hydroxybenzoic acid can react with several different alcohols to create a variety of compounds that fight bacteria.
- These artificial compounds are absorbed by the skin. Once they’ve entered the body, they exit through the urine, suggesting that the body cannot metabolize them.
- Evidence shows that parabens can affect estrogen production. Both men and women have estrogen, and disruptions to estrogen production can potentially lead to cell mutation along with other issues.
While it’s tempting to grab products labeled “antibacterial,” take a peek at the ingredient list and look for this potentially harmful ingredient. Clean personal care products can achieve the same skin-protective effects without these risks!
The Trouble With Phthalates
What gives hairspray its flexible hold? Perfume its long-lasting scent? The answer is chemical phthalates. Chemical phthalates are compounds found in numerous everyday items, including personal care products.
Yet harmful chemicals like phthalates have come under increasing scrutiny for their potential to disrupt the endocrine system—or the body’s chemical “messaging” system.
Looking for “phthalate” on an ingredient list may not be enough. These compounds often hide under the ingredient name “fragrance.”
That’s why it’s so important to buy personal care products from brands that disclose all their ingredients or avoid the use of harmful ingredients and commit to being phthalate-free.
Honest® Lets You Save Time Scanning the Ingredients List
Maybe you want to switch to natural products but don’t have the energy for committing to long hours of research or scrutinizing each and every toxic ingredient on the list.
Honest® takes the guesswork out of clean personal care. Everything we carry is formulated without the 2,500 compounds on our “No” list, including parabens, phthalates, and petroleum-derived ingredients.
Our clean baby, beauty, and personal care products for the whole family are formulated with safe ingredients you’ll love (and trust), Honest® can help you rest easy about what’s in your bathroom.
That way, you never have to think twice about leaning in for a kiss from your little one!
Sources:
Healthline. What Types of Products Are Safe for Baby’s Skin? https://www.healthline.com/health/baby/baby-skin-care-ingredients
We aim to provide you with the most honest and credible information possible. This article was reviewed for accuracy by The Honest Team and its internal technical experts.
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