What You Need To Know

Baby wipes are incredibly convenient, making changing your child’s diapers or wiping off their sticky hands that much easier. Unfortunately, many contain harmful ingredients that you wouldn’t want on your own skin, much less on your baby’s. Here are some tips:

AVOID 

• Chlorine and its derivatives are used to bleach wood pulp for disposable diapers, baby wipes and many other products. During this process, chlorine can release a byproduct known as dioxin. Dioxin can irritate the skin and cause allergic reactions. It can also impact the immune system and is a known carcinogen (meaning it is capable of causing cancer).
• Preservatives help prevent harmful bacteria and microbes but certain ones, like parabens, have estrogenic properties linked to breast cancer and reproductive health problems. Other preservatives like methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) can irritate the skin, particularly if exposed regularly or in higher concentrations. Triclosan, an antibacterial agent, can irritate skin and is linked to increased cancer risk. It is now restricted in some products, like soap, but not banned in others. 
• Synthetic fragrances contain phthalates to boost the scent’s staying power. The phthalate commonly used in fragrance products is diethyl phthalate (DEP). Sometimes this won’t be listed, so be cautious if you simply see ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient. Some phthalates are known to be carcinogenic (having the potential to cause cancer) and others may contribute to reproductive and neurodevelopmental problems. 
• Two pure essential oils, tea tree and lavender, often added for fragrance, have been shown to have estrogenic properties that could impact reproductive health. Other essential oils have not been tested for these properties to date so it is unknown if those are of concern or not. 
• Sulfate-based surfactants, like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), are good cleaners because they attract oils and impurities so you can wipe them away quickly. But these petroleum-based surfactants may irritate skin with frequent use. Ethoxylated surfactants, like sodium laureth sulfate (SLES), are gentler on skin, but they may contain carcinogenic contaminants, such as 1,4-dioxane. It can be tricky to spot all ethoxylated ingredients on a label, but checking for ones that end with ‘-eth’ (like laureth, ceteareth or steareth) is a good start.
• Propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol (PEG) are petroleum-based compounds that help absorb water. They are used in a number of products, including as a base for de-icing solutions and antifreeze. Studies show that they can be a skin irritant, particularly if used regularly, and may impact the nervous system. 

BETTER CHOICES

• Using good ol’ fragrance-free soap and water is best whenever possible. Remember disposable baby wipes still end up in the landfill.
• Chlorine free, fragrance-free wipes without added preservatives and other synthetic chemicals. 
• Products with 100% vegetable derived polypropylene glycol and polyethylene glycol are better because this kind doesn’t tend to irritate the skin, and plants are, of course, a renewable resource.

DIY

• Making your own baby wipes, including reusables, is easier than you think. Online recipes include ingredients such as liquid castile soap, aloe vera extract, and chamomile tea. 
• Or, just bring a soapy or damp cloth in a bag to use when needed.