Baby shampoos, body washes and lotions are marketed with words like gentle, pure, natural and clinically tested. In the United States, these words have no regulatory definition when applied to cosmetics. A baby product labelled natural can legally contain synthetic preservatives, fragrance and processing contaminants. The FDA does not pre-approve cosmetics for safety before they reach store shelves, including those marketed for infants.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen (IARC Group 1) and a common skin sensitiser. It is not typically added directly to cosmetics, but several common preservatives release formaldehyde slowly over time as they break down. These include DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea and sodium hydroxymethylglycinate. A 2009 study by the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics found formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in 61% of baby personal care products tested. They are still widely used. DMDM hydantoin in particular appears in many mainstream baby shampoos including some of the most recognisable brands globally.
1,4-dioxane: the contaminant not on the label
1,4-dioxane is a probable human carcinogen (EPA classification) found as a byproduct of ethoxylation, a manufacturing process used to make foaming surfactants gentler on skin. The compounds that produce 1,4-dioxane contamination include sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds and any ingredient with eth, oxynol or -eth in its name. Because 1,4-dioxane is a processing contaminant rather than an intentionally added ingredient, manufacturers are not required to list it. A 2009 Campaign for Safe Cosmetics study found 1,4-dioxane in 67 of 28 baby personal care products tested. Independent testing has continued to find it in mainstream baby products sold today.
Synthetic fragrance in baby products
The fragrance loophole applies equally to baby products. The word “fragrance” or “parfum” on a baby product label can represent a blend of dozens to hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, potentially including phthalates, synthetic musks and allergens. Infants have thinner skin with higher absorption rates than adults. They spend hours in direct contact with lotions, wet wipes and bath products. The phrase “baby fragrance” or “light scent” provides no safety information whatsoever.
What gentle, natural and pure actually mean
In the context of US cosmetic regulation, these words mean nothing specific. There is no legal definition of natural, pure, gentle or clinically tested when used on a cosmetic label. A product can be labelled natural and contain synthetic preservatives, artificial fragrance and petrochemical-derived ingredients. “Clinically tested” means only that some form of testing was conducted; it does not specify what was tested, how, or whether it demonstrated safety.
How to evaluate a baby product
Search the product on EWG Skin Deep
The EWG Skin Deep database at ewg.org/skindeep rates every ingredient in personal care products for hazard level. Search the exact product name. Look for an overall score of 1 to 2 (low hazard) and check for any flagged ingredients.
Avoid these specific ingredients
DMDM hydantoin, quaternium-15, imidazolidinyl urea, sodium laureth sulfate, PEG compounds, and anything listing fragrance or parfum as an ingredient.
Choose fragrance-free first
Fragrance-free eliminates the largest single source of undisclosed chemical exposure in baby products. Unscented is not the same as fragrance-free: unscented products can contain masking fragrances.