Overview

Everyone loves a sweet-smelling baby. Fortunately, you don't need any added fragrances from personal care products to achieve this! There are a lot of strongly-scented products available on the market. You don't need much to care for baby's hair and skin. A simple cleanser, moisturizer, balm for rash, and sunscreen can be enough.

Hidden Hazards

The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics identifies key chemicals of concern in personal care products for babies and toddlers. These include formaldehyde releasing preservative chemicals that release formaldehyde into the product to protect against bacterial contamination (such as DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, and Ureas) in the product react to release it into the bottle in your bathroom), 1,4 dioxane, benzophenone, butylated compounds (BHA, BHT), ethoxylated ingredients, homosalate, oxybenzone and octinoxate (both UV filters), lead and other heavy metals. Baby powders can be made with talc, which can be contaminated with asbestos and to contribute to cancer.

Other Considerations

Before you have your baby's (or toddler's) face painted to be a tiger or superhero or fairy, consider that children's face paints have been found to contain a number of chemicals of concern, including heavy metals.

Recommendations

The following products are certified by MADE SAFE:

Alaffia

• Kids Bubble Bath-Eucalyptus Mint ($15)

• Kids Bubble Bath-Lemon Lavender ($15)

• Kids Shampoo & Body Wash-Lemon Lavender ($10)

• Pure Unrefined Shea Butter ($14)

Clary Collection

• Bath and Body Oil ($46)

Everden

• Soothing Baby Massage Oil ($16)

healthynest

• Moisturizing Cream for with Prebiotics and Probiotics ($38)

• Soothing Ointment for Baby ($34)

• Detox Bath Soak ($26)

• Essential Oil Roller Balls ($22)

• Soothing Ointment for Baby ($34)

Kate McLeod

• Mama Stone ($45)

• Mama Stone Mini ($12)

MamaEarth

• Bathing Bar for Babies - 4 pack ($25)

• Baby Powder ($10.59)

• Natural Anti Mosquito Body Roll ($14)

• Easy Tummy Roll On ($12)

• After Bite Roll On ($20)

• Moisturizing Daily Lotion for Babies ($18.36)

• Natural Berry Blast Toothpaste for Kids ($15.59)

Oilogic

• Slumber & Sleep Essential Oil Epsom Soak ($10)

• Stuffy Nose & Cough Essential Oil Epsom Soak ($10)

• Stuffy Nose & Cough Essential Oil Roll-On ($10)

• Cranky and Fussy Essential Oil Roll On ($10)

• Soothing Baby Essential Oil for Diffuser ($10)

• Slumber and Sleep Essential Oil Roll On ($10)

Pleni Naturals

• Apple + Broccoli Hair & Body Wash ($17)

• Berry + Olive Baby Balm* ($16)

• Cucumber + Grape Baby Oil* ($16)

• Berry + Olive Barrier Balm ($16)

The following are MADE SAFE certified sunscreens:

• Clear Zinc Sunscreen Stick ($13)

• Super Shield Sport Stick Sunscreen SPF 50 ($16)

* These products are fully fragrance-free.

You can also use simple materials in place of purchased products: organic coconut oil can moisturize skin; if needed, corn starch in a handy container, can replace baby powders.

References & Resources

Learn more about chemicals of concern in personal care products from the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.

Read about chemicals of concern in children's face paints in the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report, "Pretty Scary 2."

Learn more about the hidden hazards by reviewing the glossary or take a deep dive by reading Safer Products for Babies and Toddlers: Resources and Recommendations for Retailers.

Questions about fragrances in these products? Learn about MADE SAFE's method for addressing essential oils and other fragrance ingredients.