Along with every other parent in the world, you want the absolute best for your child. Especially when it comes to “bath time.” Trying to pick between so many different products can be pretty overwhelming though.
It is essential to be mindful when selecting body washes, especially shampoo, for your little one. Many shampoos contain harsh chemicals, and organic shampoos may be a good option.
Trying to find the best organic baby shampoo? Keep reading for Dadprogress top picks!
Key Points For Busy Parents
What is An Organic Shampoo?
Shampoos are liquids used for cleaning hair. True organic shampoos would be made of only natural ingredients. Most "organic" shampoos contain only a percentage of organic ingredients because of technical reasons. That isn't a bad thing though- you get the best from both worlds.
Organic Shampoos Reviewed In This Article:
1) Contain Some Organic Ingredients
2) Are Not Tested On Animals
3) Are Vegan
4) All Ingredients Should Be Non-toxic To Human Health
Why Should I Choose Organic Shampoos For My Baby?
Your little one does not yet have a fully developed immune system or body. Exposing your baby to harmful chemicals can cause health problems.
Manufacturers use natural ingredients. Examples include water, organic lavender, natural citric acid, bergamot and organic tree oil.
Organic shampoos should be cruelty-free and not be tested on animals.
Cruelty-free is a label for products or activities that do not harm or kill animals anywhere in the world. The term was first used by Lady Dowdingin the 50s.
Always Read Labels
It is crucial to be aware of what ingredients are in the shampoo before choosing one for buy. Since you may not know all the harmful chemicals, I've listed four commonly used groups to avoid (keep reading for more information).
All the ingredients are always listed based on the concentration. So the chemical with the highest concentration would be the first on the list and so on.
All the reviewed shampoos are actually "shampoo + body wash." So, many of them contain soap which drys your baby's skin. It's a problem if your baby has an atopic skin.
In the US companies do not have to disclose all the ingredients of personal care products.
Beneficial Ingredients In Best Organic Baby Shampoos
Have you ever read about organic shampoos? According to most authors, they have more beneficial effects than Harry Potter's potions.
" Your baby's scalp and hair are treated naturally. Shampoos that are rich in vitamins are very beneficial for a healthy scalp and hair for babies. Organic baby shampoo can help fortify new hair growth. Allowing your baby to go natural can help their skin to grow stronger."
Want to know the brutal truth?
There's no evidence that any nutrient supplementation is needed in the absence of deficiency!
Hair follicles transit from a phase of active fiber production to a resting phase. This rhythmic behavior is complex and under the control of multiple factors. Studies have shown that iron, zinc, fatty acids, selenium, many vitamins (A, D, E, folic acid, biotin, niacin), amino acids and antioxidants can have a positive effect. Your baby should get all these nutrients from food. There's no evidence that topically applied nutrients have any effect on hair growth.
Don't get me wrong here, organic shampoos are great! They have all the benefits I've mentioned before. They just don't have magical qualities.
Gross Ingredients To Avoid
Shampoos may contain harmful substances. Even if you are not planning to buy organic shampoo for your baby, you should always read the label.
1. Chemical Fragrances
Although this may sound harmless, you may want to avoid this ingredient in your baby’s shampoo. These fragrances can be irritating to the skin of your baby and even cause eczema.
This term is also used to mask many chemicals used in baby products. For example, some of these chemicals (like styrene) are known to be carcinogens.
2. Formaldehyde
Formaldehyde is a colorless, flammable gas at room temperature and has a strong odor. Exposure to this ingredient may cause adverse health effects according to EPA. It is added directly to products and is used as a preservative to prevent mold from forming.
Formaldehyde also occurs naturally. The main problem with added formaldehyde is that consumers don't know how much of it is used.
3. Parabens
Parabens are chemical preservatives used to inhibit bacterial growth. Now, you might say “Well that isn’t so bad.” But here’s where things take a turn for the worst:
In cosmetics, parabens are the most frequent cause of allergic reactions.
This ingredient has been shown to imitate estrogen in a body. The disruption of estrogen is thought to play a role in the growth of cancer. Parabens have been linked to breast cancer for example (source).
Most common parabens: Butylparaben, Methylparaben, and propylparaben.
4. Phthalates
Phthalates are chemical compounds used to soften plastics. Many of them are found in toys and household products. They are sometimes being used in personal care products to help fragrances last longer.
Most people are exposed to some level of phthalates. This is an ingredient you wouldn’t want in your baby’s shampoo though. Phthalates may have adverse effects on health as they are endocrine disruptors.
5 Popular Organic Baby Shampoos Reviewed
Conclusion
After reviewing five of the best organic baby shampoo products, I had to make a conclusion.
As I've mentioned many times (sorry for repeating myself), these shampoos aren't 100% organic.
That said, they had to meet specific criteria that I mentioned in the beginning.
BareBaby Organics shampoo (check the price on Amazon) was a winner of this close contest. According to Skin Deep Database, all the ingredients they use are safe. This shampoo contains a lot of organic ingredients. It is also not tested on animals, and it's vegan.
Last Updated on October 21, 2019