It all started when I had a small rash on my face that wouldn’t go away. After 2 months of trying different dermatological treatments I found out that I had an allergic reaction to a toothpaste. This time made me go into a search for products that were less harsh on my skin. Fragrances are a big culprit in causing skin irritation, as well as alcohol, bleachers and some sulfates. Organic or Natural products, what’s best for your baby?

            First, I found out that cosmetics (for mom) and skin care products for both mom and baby aren’t as regulated as one would think.  Some of them use very harsh cleansing ingredients that can cause skin irritation.   Companies can put ingredients in their products and don’t necessarily have to list all of the components on the label or even their websites.  An example would be when a product lists “fragrance” as an ingredient. In order to make that fragrance they might use several ingredients that they don’t include on the label or box list of ingredients because it’s considered a secret of their product. Sneaky! 

            So I began to read every single label on products that I use on myself and on my baby. I switched some items out and some remained the same. I consulted with two different doctors regarding my research.   In addition to switching out some products I also began using only the recommended amounts of everything and do not overuse anything at all.  My dermatologist explained that a common mistake that many people make is using too much of a product. ie. using too much soap, too much body wash, too much toothpaste, washing hair too much (don’t wash, rinse & repeat! once is enough and you can skip days!)  Over washing/ over-using products can lead to skin and scalp irritation which causes severe skin issues in some people. 

            I also keep an eye out for sneaky advertising. Products that are labeled as natural or organic aren’t always really natural. The key is to read the ingredients. If you decide to switch over to true organic products look for products that contain few ingredients and that have ingredients that you can actually pronounce. A good guide to find about chemicals and products is the Environmentally Working Group, skin deep database page http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/   You can enter the name of your product and see a listing of all the known ingredients and their rating based on how safe they are for your skin.

            For mamas that love makeup like I do, a good resource is http://www.paulaschoice.com/   This website reviews all makeup brands per products and gives you a comprehensive overview of each product, making it easier for you to choose what is best for your skin needs! Just FYI most cosmetics have synthetic ingredients even when they claim to be all natural, but don’t be scared, just because it’s synthetic it doesn’t mean it’s bad for you!

          Since I found some natural products for myself  I found some for baby.  Brands  like California Baby, Burt’s Bees, Baby Ganics,  The Honest Company, Seventh Generation, just to name a few. If you are vegan you can use the EWG website to find out which brands are vegan approved.  I also talked to different pediatricians about this whole issue, they told me regular baby products are safe because they use less harsh cleansing ingredients than products intended for adults.   They assured me using the recommended amount of normal products was safe but that reading the labels always helps. However if your baby has overly sensitive skin then switching to a more natural product could be better.  It’s good to remember that the shelf life of the product may be shorter because they have different preservatives in them.  Also sometimes organic products are a couple of dollars more expensive than the regular products. So keep that in mind before switching and be prepared to pay a little bit more each time you replace a product.

          The choice is yours and luckily there is  a good selection to choose from.  Always trust your instincts and  do some research before you spend  a lot of money on new products. The online reviews are helpful and you can find the ingredient lists online as well! Good luck!