It is important to note that companies that manufacture and sell baby care products are largely in compliance with government standards. Until legislation passes to require stronger regulation of the cosmetics industry, the best thing we can do as parents is to reduce our use of manufactured body care products on our children, or find products with fewer ingredients. Even labels that say ‘gentle’ or ‘natural’ or ‘pure’ or even ‘organic’ may not be as safe as they should be.  

Safer options are becoming more available to families, and changes in manufacturing processes are helping to bring down the levels of some of these troublesome contaminants. However, these actions are slow, and stronger policies are needed to protect our children and ensure all accessible products are safe. In the meantime, here are some tips for reducing exposure to potentially harmful ingredients in baby care and personal care products, and the chemicals to keep on your radar:

1,4-dioxane

1,4-dioxane is a trace contaminant in some cosmetic products. It is not intentionally added, but forms as a byproduct during the manufacturing process of certain ingredients, including certain detergents, foaming agents, emulsifiers and solvents. Because it is a byproduct, 1,4-dioxane is not listed among the ingredients on product labels.

Some of the biggest names on the market contain trace amounts of this potentially cancer-causing chemical. Strong evidence has been found in animal studies, however, it should be noted that the data in human epidemiological studies are insufficient to determine carcinogenicity in humans, which is why they are classified as “likely to be carcinogenic to humans.”

The FDA periodically monitors the levels of 1,4-dioxane in cosmetics products, and has observed that levels have dropped significantly over time due to changes made in manufacturing processes. FDA has not established a safe limit for this chemical in shampoo, lotion and other toiletries, and maintains that the trace amounts found in those products are not harmful. In an independent risk assessment, the European Commission Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) concluded that 1,4-dioxane is safe at trace levels of ≤10 parts per million. According to the Cosmetic Ingredient Review, an industry funded, government-backed panel that assesses the safety of ingredients used in cosmetics, “dioxane should not be in any baby care or children’s cosmetic, period, because it is possible to take it out.”

“Our intention is not to alarm parents, but to inform parents that products that claim to be gentle and pure are contaminated with carcinogens, which is completely unnecessary,” said Stacy Malkan, a spokeswoman for the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, which is calling for the government to more strictly regulate personal care products such as shampoo, lotion and makeup. Companies that manufacture and sell the products tested by the group stressed that they comply with government standards.”

“The fact that we are bathing our kids in products contaminated with carcinogens shows how woefully out of date our cosmetics laws are and how urgently they need to be updated,” said Rep. Jan Schakowsky (Ill.). “The science has moved forward; now the FDA needs to catch up and be given the authority to protect the health of Americans.” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.) called the findings “horrifying” and said she intends to introduce legislation that would require stronger oversight of the cosmetics industry.

How to avoid it: 1,4-dioxane may be a byproduct of ingredients identifiable by the prefix, word, or syllables “PEG,” “Sodium Laurel Sulfate (SLS),” “Polyethylene,” “Polyethylene glycol,” “Polyoxyethylene,” “-eth-,” or “-oxynol-.”

Phthalates

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that are linked to reproductive malformations in baby boys, reduced fertility, developmental disorders, asthma, and increased allergic reactions. They are commonly found in fragranced cleaning and personal care products, as well as plastics. David Andrews, senior scientist with the Environmental Working Group, says “We recommend looking to avoid phthalates…one of the concerns is that we know the chemicals end up in the bloodstream.”

The American Academy of Pediatrics found that phthalate exposure is widespread and variable in infants. Infants exposed to baby care products, specifically baby shampoos, baby lotions, and baby powder, showed increased levels of phthalate metabolites in their urine. The study did not determine the level of phthalates in any given product, nor did it establish an association between these findings and any health effects. Subsequent research and statements by the FDA continue to maintain that exposures to phthalates from cosmetics are low compared to levels that are thought to cause adverse effects. Unfortunately, data about health effects on infants and children are limited or missing; and, in general, infants and children are more vulnerable to chemical exposures. In 2008, Congress banned specific levels of certain phthalates (BBP, DEHP, and DBP) in toys, citing studies showing the toxic effects of these substances. The EPA is adding eight phthalates to their “Chemicals of Concern” list, meaning the agency will keep a close watch on the chemicals with more stringent limitations — and even banning — possible in the future.

How to avoid them: choose fragrance-free products, stay away from plastic food containers, and choose baby bottles with hospital grade silicon nipples. To be extra sure, look for labels that say “no phthalates” or “phthalate-free.”