Finding a Soap that won’t irritate or dry out your baby’s skin is essential; look for fragrance-free formulas that are as gentle, pure, and natural as possible. The fragrance-free part is key, as fragrance is the most significant irritant in personal hygiene products. A couple of other ingredients to avoid while shopping for baby soaps and shampoos include sulphates; these are often added to increase foaming or lather, but they can be irritating to sensitive skin and the respiratory system. Also, look for paraben-, phthalate-, and sulphate-free options, as these have been shown to harm the development of young infants.
Note: It is preferable to use bar soap, which often contains simpler, less harmful ingredients than liquid soap.
To learn more, check out https://lavieecolo.ca/en/soap/
Baby wipes
These wipes are commonly found in many parents’ diaper bags. While these products are considered minimally toxic to the average person, they can irritate those with multiple chemical sensitivity. For example, most baby wipes on the market are made from viscose, polyester, and other synthetic materials, which can irritate sensitive skin. The safest alternative is to use plain water with washcloths or cotton balls. Fortunately, many companies now offer baby wipes made from natural materials, such as cotton or bamboo. If you need to use wipes, look for options that are fragrance-free, alcohol-free and preservative-free for the best safety.
Baby Powder
Baby powder should generally be avoided, as many contain talcum powder, which contains asbestos and can lead to cancer in the reproductive systems of both sexes. Additionally, talcum powder can linger in the air, entering the respiratory system and causing irritation or other long-term health complications in both infants and adults. It is best practice to avoid powders altogether, but if parents find it necessary to use one, a safe, non-toxic alternative is cornstarch, which can be used specifically for the diaper area.
Disposable Diapers
Disposable diapers remain in landfills for over 500 years, posing significant environmental challenges and health risks for babies. Many disposable diapers emit low levels of xylene and ethylbenzene, chemicals that are suspected endocrine disrupters, neurological and respiratory toxins, along with styrene, a chemical linked to cancer. For individuals with multiple chemical sensitivity, these toxins may be irritating or harmful.
Reusable cloth diapers are a great alternative! They come in a wide variety of fabrics, colours and brands, but cotton is by far the friendliest to babies’ sensitive skin.
For product recommendations, check out our Eco-Living Guide
Also visit our section on: Childcare, Housekeeping and Personal hygiene for more healthy solutions
References:
Skin care – ASEQ-EHAQ
https://lavieecolo.ca/en/skin-care/
Soaps – ASEQ-EHAQ
https://lavieecolo.ca/en/soap/
Statistics Canada. (2025). ASEQ-EHAQ. Retrieved December 9, 2025, from
https://aseq-ehaq.ca/en/mcs-statistics/