In 2009, the Environmental Working Group found that more than 60% of children’s bath products contained formaldehyde, a known carcinogen, and 1,4-dioxane, a possible carcinogen (source: Guide to Less Toxic Products).
Healthy alternatives
Fragrance-free
| Brand name | Product description |
| Aveeno | Soothing Bath Treatment (100% oatmeal) |
| Dolphin Organics | Baby Bubble Bath |
| Just The Goods | Vegan Bath Salts |
| Epsom Bath Salts | |
| Uniquely J | Tear-Free Baby Bubble Bath, fragrance-free |
With fragrances (essential oils)
| Brand name | Product description |
| 100% Pure | Bath Salts |
| Anarres Natural Health | Bath Salts |
| Babo Botanicals | Calming Shampoo Bubble Bath and Wash |
| Baby Mantra | 3-in-1 Bubble Bath, Shampoo & Wash |
| Druide | Foaming Bath |
| Everyone | Kids 3-in-1 Soap Unscented |
| Qet Botanicals | Blooming Tea Bath |
| Rocky Mountain Soap Company | Wellness Bath Salts |
| Thinkbaby | Bubble Bath |
Tips
To moisturize your skin, take a bath with Epsom salt (follow product directions) or baking soda (1/2 cup), then add natural oil (coconut, purified castor, almond or jojoba).
Ingredients to avoid
- Benzyl alcohol: irritant to eyes and upper respiratory tract, neurotoxic
- Ceteareth: possible carcinogen (by release of 1,4-dioxane)
- Dyes (coal tar): carcinogen, skin sensitizer, photosensitizer
- Dicoumarol: toxic to the immune system
- DMDM hydantoin: possible carcinogen (by formaldehyde release), skin irritant, skin sensitizer
- Parabens: endocrine disruptors
- Synthetic fragrances: allergens
- PEG (polyethyleneglycol): possible carcinogen (by release of 1,4-dioxane and sodium lauryl sulfate), irritant to skin, eyes and respiratory tract
- Quaternium-15: possible carcinogen (by formaldehyde release)
- Sodium lauryl sulfate: irritant, may cause contact dermatitis