5 Chemicals in Baby Products You Need to Avoid

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It's a mistake to assume that baby products contain mild or gentle ingredients, when the reality is that these products might be filled with toxic chemicals. Fox News reported that over 27 dangerous chemicals are present in many baby care products. The most concerning fact is that some of these have not been tested nor regulated.

Below are the chemicals you need to watch out for when buying and using baby products:

1) Phthalates and parabens

One Green Planet cited that controversial chemicals like phthalates and parabens can take on many names, such as DEP, DEHP and DBP. This is why it's sometimes more difficult to identify which baby care products are safer in the absence of proper labeling. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not regulate use of these chemicals because the agency claims they have no health risks. However, other studies have linked phthalates and parabens to serious diseases including cancer.

2) Formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives

Safe Cosmetics stated that popular and sellable baby shampoos contain formaldehyde and its derivatives --- quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, bromopol and glyoxal. Studies have linked this to skin irritation and cancer that some countries like Sweden and Japan have banned its use. On the other hand, other countries have limited or restricted use of this to certain volume or amount.

3) Vitamin A and oxybenzone

The body requires vitamin A and it should be safe to ingest this as a general rule. What makes this vitamin dangerous is in the extraction of its component, retinyl palmitate, which is needed to make sunscreen. In this case, vitamin A becomes a highly toxic chemical along with oxybenzone. It can lead to hormone disruption and cell damage, CNN reported.

4) 1,4-dioxane

Safe Cosmetics cited that this is chemical is what's usually added to shampoos and soaps to produce more suds and bubbles. However, like the rest of these toxic chemicals, 1, 4 dioxane can trigger cancer development. Canada has banned use of the chemical. However, it should be worth noting that, in the United States, putting 1,4-dioxane in the label is not required by the FDA. It has derivative chemicals like sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds, xynol, ceteareth and oleth.

5) Fragrance or perfume

Many baby products are infused with scents that can lead to skin irritation, eczema and allergies. The more powerful the scent is, the more it contains perfume or fragrance.

If you're unsure of the products you use for your baby, do more research and check references from the USDA National Organic Program to ensure that the baby products are really chemical-free.