Ingredients We Avoid
Unfortunately, many ingredients found in mainstream adult and infant skincare are
potentially harmful to delicate and sensitive skin. Little Forest's mission is to
create the highest quality hair and skin care products for infants and their families.
The following information highlights the research done on some of the most common
yet harmful ingredients found in mainstream adult and infant skin and hair care.
1. WHAT TO EXPECT FROM YOUR BABY, YOUR CHILD'S HEALTH,
Barton D. Schmitt, M.D., F.A.A.P., Bantam Books, 1991.
Phthalates
Chemicals called phthalates are found in many consumer products including soft plastic toys,
cosmetics and fragrances. A small study has found elevated levels of phthalates in the urine
of babies who had recently used shampoos, powders, and lotions containing phthalates.
Whether phthalates pose a risk to humans is currently unknown, however animal studies suggest possible reproductive problems.
Little Forest does not use phthalates in any of our products,
and our fragrances are phthalate-free.
1. Baby Care Products: Possible Sources of Infant Phthalate Exposure Official Journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics (2008)
2. Baby shampoo study raises chemical concerns., Kids and parenting, MSNBC (2008).
Cornstarch
Cornstarch, an old-fashioned powder used frequently in diaper rash treatments, is
not recommended for use on yeast-related diaper rashes as it may encourage the growth
of certain yeast and can perpetuate diaper rash.
1. AMERICAN HERBALISM, O.M.D. Tierra, Dr. Michael, The
crossing Press, Freedom,CA (1992), 185
Lanolin
Lanolin has been found to be a common skin sensitizer causing allergic contact skin
rashes. Lanolin usually contains pesticides used on sheep and wool.
1. A CONSUMER'S DICTIONARY OF COSMETIC INGREDIENTS, Ruth
A. Winter, Crown Publisher's, Inc. 1989.
Mineral Oil
Mineral oil is a mixture of liquid hydrocarbons separated from petroleum that can
cause petrochemical hypersensitivity. Serious carcinogenics are commonly found in
mineral oil. Allergic reactions can lead to arthritis, migraines, hyperkinesis,
epilepsy, and diabetes. Mineral oil can produce symptoms similar to dry skin by
inhibiting the natural moisturizing factor of the skin and can even dissolve the
skin's own natural oil and thereby increase dehydration. It has been attributed
to the single greatest cause of breakouts in women who use a new product.
1. THE NEW MEDICALLY-BASED NO-NONSENSE BEAUTY BOOK, Deborah
Chase, Henry Holt, and Co., 1989, DICTIONARY OF COSMETIC INGREDIENTS, Aubrey Hampton.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfates
Most shampoos, including baby shampoos, contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and/or
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS). These substances are used to produce high levels of
foam. SLES can irritate the scalp and cause hair loss. SLS has been found to penetrate
the eyes and systemic tissues (brain, heart, liver, etc.). Its retention properties
are long-term and are of particular concern to infants whose eyes are undergoing
substantial growth because a much greater absorption occurs in tissues of younger
eyes. SLS changes the amounts of some proteins in cells of eye tissues. Tissues
of young eyes may be more susceptible to alteration by SLS.
Because SLS forms nitrates, a possible carcinogen, and it is used in shampoos, bubble
baths, shower gels as well as facial cleansers, Dr. David H. Fine, a chemical contaminate
specialist, estimates that a person would be applying 50 to 100 micrograms of nitrosamine
to the skin with each application. By comparison, a person consuming sodium nitrite-preserved
bacon is exposed to less than 1 microgram.
1. DETERGENT PENETRATION INTO YOUNG AND ADULT EYES, DEPARTMENT
OF OPTHMALOGY, Dr. Keith Green, Medical College of Ga., Augusta, Ga.
2. SHAMPOO REPORT, Camille S. Wright, Images International, Inc. 1989 DICTIONARY
OF COSMETIC INGREDIENTS, Aubrey Hampton.
Talcum Powder
Inhaling baby powder made from talc has been reported to cause pneumonia and even
death. Accidental inhalation of talcum powder accounts for about one percent of
all calls to poison control centers for babies under three years of age.
Some talc has shown contamination from asbestiform fibers. In 1987, the International
Agency for the Research on Cancer (IARC) concluded that there is "sufficient evidence"
for the carcinogenicity to humans of talc containing asbestiform fibers. Since the
FDA does not regulate cosmetic grade talc, the Cancer Prevention Coalition points
out that processing does not remove minute fibers that are asbestos-like.
1. TWO INFANT DEATHS AFTER INHALING BABY POWDER, K. Motumatsu,
H. Adachi, and T. Uno, CHEST 75 (1979) 448-50.
2. MASSIVE ASPIRATION OF TALCUM POWDER BY AN INFANT, F.Brouillete and M.J. Weber,
Canadian Medical Association Journal 119 (1978) 354-355.
3. BABY POWDER, A HAZARD, H.C. Mofeson, J. Greenher and D'Tomasso, et. al Pediatrics
68 (1981), 265-66, E-Mail: MOTHERS@IGC.APC.ORG.
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