I´m not just talking about baby stuff for babies, but also baby stuff for adults. Many girls like to use baby shampoo for their hair, or their mineral makeup brushes.
Is baby shampoo what you think of when asked about the gentlest way to wash the hair ? After all, a shampoo that is meant for a newborn's tender chicken-fluff hair must be the gentlest thing on earth, right ?
Not necessarily. In fact, many baby products aren't very different from the normal stuff, except of course for the words "tender and gentle" and the smiling infant on the label. Other products may be gentler, but may will fall behind in comparison with organic and natural cosmetic products for adults.
There do exist baby products that are very gentle and fine to use, both on babies and on sensitive adult skin.
SO, how can you tell which is which ?
The short way:
Buy baby products from certified natural or organic companies, the chances are much higher that they ares gentle and not harmful.
Germany has the "oeko test" labels on mainstream products that certify that a product is free from harmful chemicals. Many other countries have equivalent certificates.
The long way:
Ignore the smiling baby on the label, and read the ingredient list.
This is how you go about it:
- Watch out for added perfumes.
- Baby shampoos may not be the gentlest thing on earth
Update#: read this fantastic post from Paraben-free princess on Johnsons&Johnsons baby shampoo.
- Avoid parabens
Anything that ends with -paraben is a potentially harmful preservative.
- Beware of SLS
- If it says "Mineral oil", put it away
Read more on mineral oil here.
- Baby powder: avoid talc like hellfire
If you need to know why, go here.
More info:
- Phthalates in baby care products
- New Study on Phthalates in Baby Shampoo, Lotion, and Powder
- Cancer-causing Chemical Found in Children's Bath Products
PS the gentlest thing for brushes might be Castille soap.
