Harmful substances in baby shampoos

Caring for babies' hair and scalp is just as important as it is for adults. But it's even more important to do it right and use the right baby shampoo.

When is it recommended to start using baby shampoos?

It is a misconception that newborn babies need to be shampooed daily. Washing your baby's head and hair with clean water at the evening bathing and then towel dry with a soft cloth is sufficient until the baby is six months old. Baby shampoos should be used as late in infancy as possible, even though many products may state in the label that they "may be used from three months".

The situation is different if the baby's scalp is dirty, as special shampoos may be necessary after treatment with the appropriate oils.

About the ingredients in baby shampoos

The requirements for baby shampoos are stricter than for adult shampoos. The basic requirement is that baby shampoos should be effective in cleansing without irritating the scalp or eyes.

--> Shop Our Favorite Baby Products

What makes a baby shampoo tear-free?

There are usually two magic words on baby shampoos: soap-free and tear-free. This means that there are no substances in it that can irritate or sting your baby's eyes. But these two basic requirements can only be met by shampoos with special formulations.

The secret of tearlessness lies in the pH of the baby shampoo. To ensure that the shampoo does not sting the baby's eyes, it is important to choose a shampoo chemistry that does not differ too much from the pH of the tear fluid. The pH of tear fluid is close to neutral: between 7.2 and 7.6. A significant deviation from this pH will cause a stinging sensation in the eye, causing redness. In adults, shampoos are slightly acidic (pH = 4 to 6), baby shampoos are usually more so.

Another secret of tearlessness is the use of special surfactants or combinations of surfactants in baby shampoos that are gentle and do not cause eye stinging.

Surfactants - not all are harmless!

The function of shampoos is to dissolve greasy pollutants, remove them from the hair shaft and finally transfer them to the rinse-off, rinse-off aqueous phase. This task can be performed by so-called surfactants.

Surfactants include soaps (e.g. sodium stearate, potassium palmitate, etc.), which are not popular because of their alkaline chemistry and drying properties. They are no longer widely used. Instead, there are other surfactants which differ in their degreasing, foaming and scalp irritating properties.

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate (ALS)

It says a lot about these surfactants that they are used in car washes, garage floor cleaners and engine degreasers. They are used as foaming agents in cosmetic products.

The eyes of children exposed to SLS and ALS may not develop properly because the proteins are dissolved by the chemical. Both have a skin irritating effect and can trigger inflammatory processes and contact dermatitis. The Hungarian name for SLS is sodium lauryl sulphate, so if you see a product with the Hungarian name instead of SLS, know that it is the same.

Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES)

SLES is a related compound of SLS. Although SLES is considered harmless in concentrations used in cosmetic products, it can also cause mild irritation. It should be stressed, however, that SLES is less irritating than SLS for sensitive individuals, which is why some manufacturers include it in baby shampoo.

However, care should be taken because when combined with other substances (e.g. in cosmetic products), SLES and ALES can form nitrosamines which are potentially carcinogenic.

Sodium coco sulphate

This is a plant tenside, made from coconut, and is one of the least irritating tensides. It is important to know that all surfactants can cause an allergic reaction, but plant surfactants are much less likely to cause an allergic reaction than their petroleum-synthesised counterparts. They are gentler on the skin and less drying.

Herbal extracts

Essential oils of medicinal plants are blended into cosmetics. It is known that very few herbal essential oils can be used under the age of 5. The most common herbs recommended for babies are chamomile, calendula and lavender. Their essential oils are not only good for the baby's skin and hair, but also have a beneficial effect on the baby's emotions and nervous system through their aromatherapy properties. Lavender soothes the baby and gives him a restful sleep, while chamomile and calendula strengthen the immune system and reduce inflammation in the nose, cheeks and forehead.

Perfume

The soft baby smell of shampoos is usually due to the perfume or synthetic fragrances they contain. However, no matter how much mum likes the smell of shampoo, it is important to be aware that fragrances can cause allergic reactions in babies. Some synthetic fragrance molecules may also inhibit brain and neurodevelopment. Only use baby shampoos that are fragrance-free or that are scented with essential oils from medicinal plants.

When choosing a baby shampoo, it's always worth reading the ingredients and avoiding products with any good-sounding brand names that contain artificial colours, synthetic fragrances or preservatives.