What is special about baby shampoo?
The main difference between baby shampoo and regular shampoo is that regular shampoo contains certain ingredients which are fine for adults, but are more likely to irritate sensitive baby skin.
Certain baby shampoo ingredients might be best avoided as they have the potential to irritate your baby’s scalp or eyes.
Look for the following ingredients, which offer a gentle wash without stripping the natural oils and causing dryness:
- Aloe vera – a gentle plant associated with hydration
- Chamomile – a soothing herb with a softening effect on the skin5
- Calendula – a herb known for soothing dry skin6
- Coco-betaine – a mild, natural substance derived from coconut oil which helps shampoo spread7
Some ingredients which pop up in personal care products contain very small amounts of substances which, in concentrated and high doses, have been linked with various health problems.
Other ingredients have been known to cause rashes, skin irritation and allergic reactions in some people. Baby skin is thin and sensitive, so exposure to potential toxins should be limited wherever possible.
We recommend you check with a healthcare professional before using any new ingredients on your newborn baby.
Take care when using the following ingredients:
- Cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB)
This foaming agent helps water to mix with oil and dirt to enable them to wash away.8
Most babies won’t have any issue with CAPB – it’s considered very safe and even ‘hypoallergenic’, however, some children can be extra sensitive to CAPB and there’s been a link between its use and atopic dermatitis in children.9
Synthetic parabens are useful preservatives which stop mould and bacteria growing in your personal care products.
However, there have been concerns in recent years about parabens’ potential to disturb the hormonal balance and increase oestrogen levels. Some major companies have stopped using certain parabens in their baby products, and the EU banned them in products for newborns in 2014.10,11
Phthalates are man-made chemicals which, much like parabens, might potentially interfere with hormones. Children under the age of three are more at risk from phthalates as their bodies are smaller.12
Don’t worry too much, though. Companies are aware of the concern surrounding phthalates, and in one 2011 review, 26 out of 30 baby products tested didn’t contain them.13
- Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS)
Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), is a detergent found in many toiletries. It helps products like shampoos to foam, ensuring you get a really deep clean.
However, it has been linked with irritation in sensitive skin for some people, and exacerbating eczema, so not something you want to expose your newborn’s delicate skin to if you can avoid it.
14 Soap contains
SLS, so don’t use soap during your baby’s bathtimes.
15 - Alcohol (may be listed as ethanol or isopropyl alcohol)
Alcohol is common in skincare products for adults, but it’s well-known in skincare circles to be potentially drying – bad news for sensitive or dry skin types.
Baby skin is especially sensitive, so products containing alcohol may lead to a dry scalp prone to flakiness or redness.
Don’t worry…
It’s natural for a parent to be concerned about what’s in their little one’s shampoo – but don’t lose perspective and become too worried.
In the UK, any skincare product must pass strict regulatory tests and is covered by a robust safety legislation.16