What are the main ingredients to avoid?
Attractive packaging, delicious smells and convincing slogans. This is how the players in the children's products industry are doing well. Mission: to charm parents. Did you know, however, that many products used daily by parents contain potentially dangerous substances?
According to some environmental groups like the Environmental Working Group, toddlers are exposed to 27 chemicals a day, some of which are linked to cancer, damage to the brain or nervous system, allergies and hormone development . But what are they?
So here are the main ingredients to avoid when buying care and hygiene products for your children.
Parabens
Parabens are used as preservatives and antimicrobials in many cosmetic products: baby wipes, shampoo, conditioner, moisturizer, facial cleanser, exfoliant, etc. In fact, according to the David Suzuki Foundation, 75 to 90% of beauty products contain parabens.
Unfortunately, they could affect the functioning of hormones and the reproductive system, and cause irritation or allergies in some people.
Phthalates
Used in the manufacture of plastic to soften it and increase its flexibility, phthalates are also used as solvents in many cosmetics and natural health products: baby lotion and powder, shampoo, etc.
According to some studies, phthalates disrupt the normal development of children, interfere with the functioning of hormones, could affect the reproductive system, especially in boys, and increase the risk of allergies, asthma and cancer.
Phenoxyethanol
Phenoxyethanol, also known as phenoxytol, phenoxethol or ethylene glycol monophenyl ehter, is used as an antibacterial, preservative and stabilizer.
It is found in many products for the whole family: soap, baby wipes, cream, shampoo, sunscreen, perfume, cleansing lotion, make-up… Almost a third of cosmetics contain it.
It is considered toxic to the reproductive system and to development.
Mineral oils
Derived from crude oil, mineral oils are used in baby creams, hair care products, balms and moisturizers.
Despite their undisputed moisturizing properties, mineral oils are a source of great health concern. The potential presence of impurities and toxins could be carcinogenic and mutagenic, that is, alter the genetic makeup. Ingested through the use of balms and lipsticks, they could also build up in the liver in the long term.
Sulphates
Sulphates are used as a foaming agent (they are used to disperse fatty substances in water) in shampoos, many cleaning products, detergents and dishwashing liquid.
Even though the lather feels like a gentle wash, it's a lure. The foam has no influence on the quality of the wash. In fact, they can be very irritating, drying and allergenic.
Perfumes
Other than masking the chemical odors of certain ingredients and providing a good odor to cosmetics, perfumes are of no use. They are found almost everywhere: shampoos, soaps, baby wipes, lotions of all kinds…
Over 3,000 chemicals are used as fragrances in perfumes and several are known to be potentially carcinogenic and to disrupt the endocrine system. In some more sensitive people, such as babies and toddlers, scents can trigger allergies, eczema, migraines and even asthma.
When we dwell on exploring the harmful effects of these ingredients on our health and that of our children, it is rather disturbing. With this information in mind, what can we do to choose the best products for the whole family? Pay particular attention to the ingredients in our care and hygiene products.
ROCHALIAbio has created a range of natural products for toddlers and their mothers that do not contain any ingredients that are harmful to health and the environment. Ghassoul, camelina oil, jojoba oil, apricot butter, mango butter… Ingredients that nourish the body!