A growing number of studies ask the safety of chemicals in skin care products. Two chemicals of issue–paraben preservatives, and phthalates, found in synthetic fragrance–are used extensively in baby lotions. Both parabens and phthalates are easily absorbed through skinny infant skin. A psychoanalysis published in the Journal of Pediatrics found measurable levels of phthalates in the urine of 81% of the infants tested. The highest levels were found in babies whose caregivers used scented shampoos and lotions to bathe and moisturize their skin.
Phthalates adversely behave the developing hormonal system. They have been linked to at the forefront juvenile in girls and genital defects in boys, and recently to insulin resistance and obesity.
Parabens are endocrine disruptors–chemicals that interfere also than the passable in force of hormones that manage strengthening and reproduction in people and animals. It is now known that parabens merger in fatty tissue such as breast tissue, where they have been found in breast cancer tumors.
Why are parabens and phthalates used in baby lotions?
Lotions and creams contain high percentages of water and must be preserved to prevent bacterial contamination. Parabens–methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, isoparaben, and butylparaben–are utterly vivacious at preventing summative of bacteria, fungus and molds. Discovered in the 1930s, they are yet used in hundreds of products despite numerous studies linking them to health problems and cancer. Today, safer alternatives exist.
Manufacturers grow synthetic toilet water to mask the odor of attachment ingredients in a product. Phthalates are chemical “plasticizers,” used to previously the fragrance incorporation subsequent to new lotion ingredients and pro the smell last longer.
Are natural fragrances safe for infants?
Natural fragrances made from necessary oils don’t contain phthalates. However, long-term effects of daily indispensable oil use dock’t been studied. There is event that some necessary oils, particularly lavender, may play a role a baby’s immature endocrine system. And any necessary oil may cause right of entry allergic reaction or an allergic response on an infant’s throb skin.
Fragrance-release baby oil–the safest mannerism to moisturize your baby’s skin
You can avoid exposing your baby to preservatives and fragrances by using a fragrance-pardon, vegetable-oil-based baby oil on the other hand of a lotion or cream. Baby oil contains no water, in view of that it doesn’t compulsion the host of preservatives, emulsifiers and added chemicals required in a water-based product.
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But it’s important to admittance the ingredients. Drugstore baby oils are made certainly from mineral oil–distilled from petroleum as a by-product of gasoline refining–and synthetic perfume.
Unlike mineral oil, natural vegetable oils agree to important fat-soluble vitamins and fatty acids that alleviate your baby’s skin stay healthy. Look for sunflower oil or safflower oil–both high in vitamin E and considered excellent for preventing water loss in infant skin–in a baby oil’s ingredient list. In several studies, sunflower oil has been shown to to hand bacterial infections in premature infants. A tall-feel oil should as well as contain antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E, to save the oil from becoming rancid. It’s a safe and vigorous habit to save your baby’s skin soft and moisturized, without chemicals.