Toxic baby products (Johnson & Johnson, Aveeno, Kandoo and others)

[Lumie]

safecosmetics.live2.radicaldesigns.org//index.php

"Despite marketing claims like ?gentle? and ?pure,? dozens of top-selling children?s bath products are contaminated with the cancer-causing chemicals formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane, according to the March 2009 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics report, "No More Toxic Tub."

This study is the first to document the widespread presence of both formaldehyde and 1,4-dioxane in bath products for children, including baby shampoos, bubble baths and baby lotions. Many products tested contained both chemicals."

The list of well known and trusted products will shock you. - Although a US list there are many names that will be familiar to you here in the UK. Have a look:

www.safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=426

[donnymouse]

Thanks for the link and the info.

What shocks me more is that they put formadehyde in vaccinations then shoot it straight into the blood of 8 week old babys.

[Lumie]

Really? Which vaccines? With the NHS?

[Furball]

up until a few years ago they used Thimerosal which contained mercury as a presevative for vaccines and shot that straight into 8 week olds too, 3 months on the trot!

My ds was allergic to anything johnsons, so fortunately we diverted off into chemical free soaps and things.

But, thats advertising for you as you would believe that Johnsons 'no more tears' had nothing harsh in it at all.

[melsy]

Well here we use several of those products , but lately Ive been trying to move to other more suitable all natural ones. Although its mainly Aveeno body wash, huggies shea wipes & sometimes the melon Kando , although as the latter makes me want to heave , Im guessing its the synthesised ingredients!

Its hard though as you still don't quite know the in depth ingredients of even supposed natural products and both my girls have very dry sensitive skin, dd2 has eczema on arms,legs and face also.

I use a few of the little me products & some of the ones designed specially for eczma like oilatum and Infoderm.

Has anyone got anymore recommendations for really effective & natural, gentle shampoos, body creams etc?

Several friends love the Weleda products

[Lumie]

I have used Weleda in the past and continue to use the lotion. It smells really nice too. I might go back to their shampoo given all the toxins in the other products.

[SofiaAmes]

There are loads of naturally occurring toxins too. Just because it comes from nature, doesn't mean it's healthy or harmless.

[thisisyesterday]

the ecologist reported on some of johnsons products in 2004, so this has been known about for ages.

the amouint of chemicals we regularly scrub into ourselves and our children and then wash into the ecosystem is really terrible when you think about it

[MatNanPlus]

I like the Halos n Horns range and they label and explain the ingredients used and not used.

[Elibean]

Aveeno?

I knew about the others, and haven't used them (apart from Kandoo, briefly) but have just started using Aveeno for my 5 yr old's ezcema, as recommended by endless people on MN.

[bran]

I think there are different formulations of Aveeno, it's a much wider range in the States. The list on that link only mentions the Aveeno baby stuff which I haven't used. The Aveeno powder sachets, which I use a fair bit for DS's eczema, claim to be 100% oats which should be fine. Aveeno has also been the best thing for his eczema of all the things that I've tried so for me it's a matter of balancing the benefits of the reduced flare-up against the risks of unknown chemicals.

I like the Burt's Bees range, I use it for myself and I should really use it for the DC. Their mission statement is to try and avoid chemicals a much as possible. I also really love Akamuti and use their black African soap which is all natural and good for the kids skin.

[GentleOtter]

Elibean - there is an Avena too which uses natural ingredients.

[MrsJamin]

I'm not surprised, I knew this ages ago. I second halos and horns (quite cheap for no-nasty stuff and nice-smelling) and waitrose baby range is pretty good too. DS has always had beautifully soft skin and put a lot of it down to being careful what goes in his bath.