Bubble Bath Blues: How Safe Are Your Child’s Bath Products…You May Be Surprised

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By mia bolaris-forget

Just the other day I was discussing with a new mom, how much she enjoys coddling her newborn and kissing him, especially when he smells and “is” squeaky clean. But, there is a “catch”, recent research reveals that many baby bath products are actually endangering you child’s health. In fact, studies show that these infant cleaning products contain chemicals that are carcinogenic and can cause skin allergies. Furthermore, many of these products contain formaldehyde, noted as being a probable cancer-causing agent according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Other such products contain 1.4 dioxane, also considered to be a probably human carcinogen by the EPA, typically a byproduct of the chemical processing techniques utilized in formulating petroleum-based ingredients that are more gently for baby’s skin. And, two thirds of the products reviewed contained both harmful ingredients.

Formaldehyde is noted as having the ability to trigger allergic reactions in those who are sensitive and certain countries such as Japan and Sweden have banned it from use in personal hygiene products.

However, spokespeople for the companies that provide these products continue to suggest they are safe, and either meet or exceed all regulations. Some even note that the findings are old news, adding that manufacturers have been aware for years that items such as bubble bath, shampoo, etc have relatively small amounts of formaldehyde and 1.4 dioxane, and that they have already taken steps toward minimizing those amounts. But, t

They, the spokespersons, add that preservatives help stave off bacteria, fungus, and other possibly dangerous and harmful microbes, emphasizing that the amounts of formaldehyde and 1.4 dioxane are “negligible” and don’t need to be reduced further since there is no empirical evidence that the amounts contained in these “questionable” products poses a significant risk. In fact, they comment that they take the health and safety of their consumers and users very seriously and are committed to making products as safe as possible.

However, other scientists suggest that the issues raised are key, and pointing out that some products cause children to react more adversely with repeated exposure. And, they add that some products also contain phthalates, which can interfere with the hormone system, while formaldehyde can result in irritation of the nasal and respiratory passages.

Below is a list of products and how they tested for formaldehyde and 1.4-dioxane

Product Name and Company 1,4-dioxane (in parts per million) Formaldehyde (in parts per million)
Lotions

American Girl Hopes and Dreams Shimmer Body Lotion (Bath & Body Works) ND* 310

Baby Magic "Soft Baby Scent" Baby Lotion (Ascendia Brands, Inc) ND* 570

Baby Magic "Soft Baby Scent" Baby Lotion (Ascendia Brands, Inc) 0.92 610

Baby Magic "Soft Baby Scent" Baby Lotion (Ascendia Brands, Inc) ND* 330

Johnson's Bedtime Lotion Natural Calm Essences (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies) ND* Not tested for this chemical

Mustela Baby Body Lotion (Laboratories Expanscience) ND* Not tested for this chemical

Tinker Bell Body Lotion (Goldie LLC) ND* 220

Shampoos

CVS Baby Shampoo (CVS/Pharmacy) 0.92 350

Johnson's Baby Shampoo (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies) ND* 200

Johnson's Baby Shampoo (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies) 1.1 210

L'Oreal Kids Extra Gentle 2-in-1 Fast Dry Shampoo — Burst of Cool Melon (L'Oreal USA) 0.95 260

Suave Kids 2-in-1 Shampoo — Wild Watermelon (Unilever) 0.69 ND*

Liquid Shower Soaps

American Girl Hopes and Dreams Glistening Shower and Bath Wash (Bath & Body Works) 14 Not tested for this chemical

American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel — Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works) 6.3 210

American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel — Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works) 5.7 220

American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel — Apple Blossom (Bath & Body Works) 18 150

American Girl Real Beauty Inside and Out Shower Gel — Sunny Orange (Bath & Body Works) 35 ND*

Bath Washes

Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies) 1.4 Not tested for this chemical

Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies) 1.7 Not tested for this chemical

Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies) 4.6 Not tested for this chemical

CVS Kids Body Wash — Blueberry Blast (CVS/Pharmacy) 0.75 54

Equate Tearless Baby Wash (Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.) 0.63 290

Gentle Naturals Eczema Baby Wash (Del Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) 6.4 Not tested for this chemical

Grins & Giggles Milk & Honey Baby Wash (Gerber Products Company) 2.8 400

Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wash (Kimberly-Clark) 3.2 410

Johnson's Moisture Care Baby Wash (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies) 3.9 Not tested for this chemical

Johnson's Oatmeal Baby Wash — Vanilla (Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies) 4.2 Not tested for this chemical

Mustela Baby Shampoo (Laboratories Expanscience) 2.8 Not tested for this chemical

Mustela Dermo-Cleansing Gel for Hair and Body Newborn/Baby (Laboratories Expanscience) 3.9 Not tested for this chemical

Night-time Bath Baby Wash (Target Corporation) 3.6 Not tested for this chemical

Bubble Baths

Barbie Berry Sweet Bubble Bath (Water-Jel Technologies) 0.65 440

Dora the Explorer Bubble Bath (MZB Personal Care) 1.5 130

Hot Wheels Berry Blast Bubble Bath (Water-Jel Technologies) 2.8 100

Mustela Multi-Sensory Bubble Bath (Laboratories Expanscience) 1.7 ND*

Sesame Street Bubble Bath — Orange Mango Tango (The Village Company) 2.8 340

Tinker Bell Scented Bubble Bath (Goldie LLC) 11 420

Baby Wipes

Huggies Naturally Refreshing Cucumber & Green Tea Baby Wipes (Kimberly-Clark) ND* Not tested for this chemical

Huggies Soft Skin — Shea Butter (Kimberly-Clark Global Sales Inc) ND* 100

Kirkland Signature Premium Unscented Baby Wipes (Costco Wholesale Corporation) ND* Not tested for this chemical

Pampers Baby Fresh (Procter & Gamble) ND* Not tested for this chemical

Pampers Calming — Lavender (Procter & Gamble) ND* Not tested for this chemical

Hair Relaxers

Dark & Lovely Kids Beautiful Beginnings No-Mistake Nourishing No-Lye Creme Relaxer, Normal to Course Hair (SoftSheen-Carson, owned by L'Oreal USA) ND* Not tested for this chemical

Dark & Lovely Kids Beautiful Beginnings No-Mistake Nourishing No-Lye Children's Relaxer System, Fine Hair Types (SoftSheen-Carson, owned by L'Oreal USA) ND* ND*

Soft & Beautiful Just for Me! No-Lye Conditioning Creme Relaxer, Children's Super (Alberto-Culver Company) 0.27 ND*

Hand Soaps

Pampers Kandoo Foaming Handsoap — Magic Melon (Procter & Gamble) 0.49 310

Sun Blocks

Banana Boat Kids UVA & UVB Sunblock Lotion SPF 30 (Sun Pharmaceuticals Corp.) ND* Not tested for this chemical

No-Ad Sun Pals SPF 45 UVA/UVB Sun Protection (Solar Cosmetics Labs Inc.) 0.46 Not tested for this chemical

Toothpastes

Colgate Kids 2-in-1 Toothpaste and Mouthwash — Strawberry (Colgate-Palmolive Company) ND* Not tested for this chemical