What is harming your little one's skin?

When we see that a product is advertised as baby-friendly, we trust that they avoid all harsh chemicals but unfortunately, this is rarely the case. Natural products may still contain ingredients that can irritate your child’s skin.

In this post, we’re going to be taking a look at some potentially harmful ingredients that are often included in skincare products designed for children.

Parabens have had a pretty bad press lately. They’re a family of chemicals used as preservatives in lots of toiletries to kill any mould or funghi in the product before it has a chance to spread and damage the product. Whilst they are very good at keeping bacteria at bay, they are also a common skin irritant. More worryingly, some researchers have linked parabens to the development of tumours, especially concerning breast cancer. The evidence here is far from conclusive and the jury is still out, but this is why you won’t find any parabens in any of the Good Bubble products.

Sulphates are used in lots of children’s shampoos and bath products as surfactants to mix with the water with oil and dirt and help get us clean. They’re also known for creating lots of foam and bubbles. However, many sulphates have also been linked to irritation potential and health-related concerns. The most infamous of these are SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulphate) and ALS (Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate) for which there is strong evidence linking them to skin, eye and scalp irritation and potential harmful long-term health effects.

(Polyethylene Glycol) is a mixture of petroleum-based compounds, which are often used in personal care products as emollients (to help soften and lubricate the skin) and emulsifiers (which help water-based and oil-based ingredients mix properly). Some people don’t like them because they’ve been proven to have a penetration enhancing effect, meaning it’s easier for your skin to absorb other not-so-nice ingredients. By altering the skin’s surface tension PEGs might also upset its natural moisture balance, and in turn dry our skin out. And then there’s the association with 1, 4-dioxane which is a known carcinogen linked to organ toxicity. Whilst many PEGs have been shown as safe to use in small doses, we think it’s best to steer clear altogether when it comes to baby products.

Phthalates are a group of chemicals also known as plasticizers, which are used in many products that contain fragrances where they adhere to the skin and make the smell last longer. They are a hidden ingredient often disguised behind the word “parfum”. They are also known as “endocrine disruptors” because they mimic the body’s hormones and have been shown to cause neurological and reproductive damage, causing potential damage to a child’s liver if exposed to for too long. In the United States, they have already been banned from use in all children’s products after being linked to several long-term health issues.

All Good Bubble bath and skin products are free from the above ingredients. In our products containing parfum, this is very mild and is both allergen-free and phthalate free. You can also explore our fragrance-free skincare range for little ones with super sensitive skin.