11 Potentially Harmful Chemicals in Baby Products

Bleach exposure can cause reactions like eye irritation, blurry vision, burning throat, chemical burns, and shortness of breath. As a highly reactive substance, it can also cause serious issues when combined with the wrong chemicals (e.g. ammonia, alcohol, acids). Even clothing washed in bleach can cause dermatological reactions in people with sensitive skin. 

How to Avoid Using Bleach

There are plenty of excellent ways to clean household surfaces and fabric with gentle, effective products:

• Whitening clothes without bleach can be done easily and efficiently.
• When used correctly, our hydrogen peroxide disinfectant kills more than 99.9% of germs, bacteria, and viruses. It also helps break down dirt, gunk, and grime.

2. Sulfates

Sulfates (like SLS and SLES) are incredibly good at removing dirt and oil from a wide variety of surfaces. You'll find that they're often used to increase foaming in bath and cleaning products.

But SLS can cause eye, skin, and respiratory irritation. It’s also harsh on sensitive skin and eczema – especially in concentrations greater than 2%. Unfortunately, concentrations can vary between 1%-30% in cleaners and personal products. This can be even higher for bubble baths and body washes. 

SLS vs. SLES

Plenty of sulfate-free formulas exist – but few have the satisfying lather that we've worked hard to develop. In fact, our team of biochemists perfected the use of coco glycinate, an ingredient that gently foams and cleanses skin.

3. Phthalates

Also known as phthalate esters, phthalates are artificial fragrance additives that appear in 75% of products with “fragrance” on the label. You'll also spot these petroleum byproducts in many plastic toys and food packaging.

Because they aren’t chemically bound to the polymer, phthalates tend to migrate to the substance’s surface and into our bodies. Numerous studies have linked exposure to phthalates to a wide variety of health issues, including: sex hormone disruption, reduced sperm count, and reproductive organ malformation.

Ways to Avoid Phthalates

Phthalates are known as “the everywhere chemical” – That means you’ll need to do some research when selecting baby products:

• Look for labels that clearly state “phthalate free.” 
• Select fragrance-free items with transparent ingredient lists (like all of our baby essentials). 
• Because phthalates are often used to plasticize PVC, opt for medical-grade silicone or natural substances for baby bottles, toys, etc. 

4. Synthetic Fragrances

Synthetic fragrances are much cheaper than plant-derived sources. Often sourced from petroleum by-products, substances include benzene derivatives and aldehydes (both known carcinogens), as well as toluene (a neurotoxin).

If your personal care products include the term "fragrance", you may not know what ingredients are being used. Aside from color additives, companies aren't actually required to share fragrance ingredient details (including safety information) with the FDA. This is thanks to “trade secrets.” 

How to Avoid Synthetic Fragrances 

Stick to fragrance-free products with clear ingredient lists, and ones that are especially formulated for sensitive baby skin. Whenever you choose a newborn baby care product, ensure that it's sourced from naturally-derived fragrances (like organic essential oils).  

5. Bisphenol A (BPA)

An increasing number of studies show that babies consume a shocking number of microplastics every day. The biggest baby products to avoid are baby bottles and canned foods that use bisphenol A (BPA).

Consumption levels rise dramatically when BPA-based products are heated up and/or scratched. Even exposure at lower doses has been linked to an increased risk of: 

• early puberty
• behavioral issues
• certain types of cancers 

How to Avoid BPA 

Since BPA resins often coat the inside of food cans, try to purchase food in glass containers – or create your own baby food at home. More importantly, avoid heating plastics in the microwave.

If you choose plastic items, avoid polycarbonate plastics (which may be marked with ‘PC’) and opt for polypropylene products (e.g. PP, plastic #5). You can also select “BPA-free” products.

In recent years, chemical sunscreens have come under criticism for their use of oxybenzone. Widely used in sunscreens for its effectiveness against UV rays, the European Commission recently proposed an oxybenzone concentration limit of 2.2%. In the US, sunscreen manufacturers are allowed to use concentrations up to 6%.

In addition to the growing evidence that oxybenzone kills coral, the FDA also determined that oxygenzone:

• Is a potential hormone disruptor in humans
• Has high rates of topical allergic reactions 
• Can be detected in breast milk, urine, blood, and amniotic fluid
• Can be detected topically/in blood for weeks after use
• May affect children much more than adults (due to higher absorption). 

How to Avoid Oxybenzone

The easiest way to avoid oxybenzone is selecting sunscreens that use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide (which are also considered ocean-safe).

10. Flame Retardants

From car seats to clothing, many baby products come coated with flame retardants. However, the CPSC warns that compounds in organohalogen flame retardants (OFRs) are carcinogenic and exposure may be linked to:

• developmental disability
• increased hyperactivity
• advanced puberty
• hormone and/or immune disorders

Since children tend to “mouth” and spend time on the floor, they’re extremely vulnerable to exposure. Studies have routinely shown that – compared to adults – children have greater concentrations of flame retardants in their bodies. Much of this is linked to babies and toddlers “mouthing” and spending time on the floor.

How to Avoid Flame Retardants 

While it can be difficult, avoid flame retardants by: 

• Choosing furniture that’s labeled with “no added flame retardants added”
• Selecting products that don’t use polyurethane (including foam)
• Investing in a quality HEPA filter.

For more ideas on purchasing eco-friendly baby products, check out our newborn baby checklist.

11. Formaldehyde

Like parabens, formaldehyde is often added to personal care and cleaning products (as an antibacterial agent and preservative). It’s also found in secondhand smoke and many pressed wood products. While exposure can cause skin irritation and allergic responses, formaldehyde is a known carcinogen and severe respiratory irritant that can cause central nervous system damage.

More worrisome is the fact that multiple chemicals can actually release formaldehyde – even when formaldehyde isn’t initially used in the product formulation.

Avoiding Formaldehyde in Baby Products

The simplest place to start: Ban smoking in your home. When choosing pressed wood and particle board products, select those that are labeled as CARB-compliant (either phase 1 or 2) or NAF (no-added-formaldehyde).

Check chemicals in baby products and cleaning items for the following ingredients: 

• Formalin
• Formic aldehyde
• Methanediol
• Methanal
• Methyl aldehyde
• Methylene glycol
• Methylene oxide