We would all think, “baby products sure don’t have any nasty ingredients…” Well, well… from synthetic perfumes, colours or additives and preservatives, to petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, SLS/SLES, PEGs, methylisothiazolinone (MI) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). Ahhh overwhelming AND scary right? These are not just having a negative impact on our babies but also to the environment. Isn’t it a good enough reason to check for toxin-free and organic baby products?
After “How to read and truly understand a label guide”, Catherine Day has done another excellent research to show you, in the most educational way possible, all the range of toxin-free baby products you should have in your cupboard. She is officially known as “The Label Detective”, but furthermore, she has not been paid to review these products and are genuinely ones she has used on her own baby. We have tried to make it as easy as possible with photos and link so you can check them all out. LET’S GO!
Eco-friendly brands of natural baby products for your newborn [Ultimate Guide]
1. Nappy Changing Products
Toxin-free & organic baby wipes
When you are at home for nappy changes, the best way to be completely chemical free is to use simply warm water and cotton wool pads. But this isn’t always possible, and when you are exhausted and need the easiest method or when you are out and about or travelling, it isn’t always that convenient. Enter…BABY WIPES! Most baby wipes I was horrified when I read the ingredients, they were simply full of nasty chemicals which I couldn’t bear to think of going on a tiny baby’s direct skin. Luckily we have many options for chemical-free wipes. The first brand I tried and loved were Water Wipes, which are made using just water and a drop of grapefruit seed extract. Another brand I have tried which has successfully followed in their footsteps are Pure Born chemical free wipes (water, tea tree oil, coconut preservative) which are great. Although when you are on the move water wipes are so convenient, they are not always fully biodegradable which has obvious implications for the environment.
Doing research for Ourgoodbrands for this article, a simple search for “biodegradable wipes” came up with a few options! One brand called Canny Mum makes Organic Bamboo Wipes which you buy dry, and you simply add water yourself to make them wet wipes! Genius! I haven’t tried them but the reviews are good, and these ones are 100% biodegradable! So there are options out there if you look! 🙂
Toxin-free & organic baby nappies
Nappies. Surely nappies are free of toxins? NOPE! If you search for the usual nappy/diaper brands ingredients list online I bet you can’t find it. They don’t seem to list it online. Probably because they assume parents won’t read the labels of nappies. I read the labels of nappies, and I was so shocked at the number of chemicals found in them! I tried a couple of chemical free brands but I wasn’t happy with them either due to leaking or the feel of them. Then a company over here launched called Pure Born and their nappies are made from 100% bamboo fibre and core using 100% plant-based materials. Not only are they completely free of chemicals, they also are much kinder to the environment as they disintegrate within 180 days. I was so sceptical and just thought they wouldn’t be effective, but I am thrilled to say that they are amazing and I haven’t looked back! Not only are they chemical free and effective, their designs look amazing! They have hearts, leaves, kisses, stars, pineapples, leopard print and I am sure there are more to come! I highly recommend these nappies and I really hope Pure Born can launch in other countries ASAP!
Toxin-free & organic baby nappy cream
I was recommended actually NOT to use the nappy cream after every nappy change. I followed this advice and my little one has had hardly any issues with nappy rash whatsoever. However, there is the odd occasion when she has a little bit of nappy rash e.g. around teething times for example. The following nappy rash creams or balms are excellent.
Weleda Calendula nappy cream. Weleda’s products are completely free from synthetic preservatives, fragrances and colourants and are 100% certified natural. They only use premium natural and organic ingredients in their products. This nappy cream contains calendula, a herbal ingredient that has been used for many centuries for wound healing, reducing inflammation as an antiseptic to treat skin conditions. This lovely cream also contains chamomile extracts to help reduce redness and soothe any irritation. It also contains sweet almond oil and sesame oil to give it lots of moisture. It is also useful on any dry or sore skin area, not just nappy area!
Pure Potions Lavender Nappy salve is another lovely product. It is a natural everyday barrier balm which can be used for nappy rash as well as sore dry skin patches, dry lips/nose, skin folds, cuts and grazes. Even though I am not the biggest fan of lavender, I use this product a lot for general dryness and it is excellent on nappy rash and clears any redness after 1 or 2 applications. It is 100% natural and was developed by a mum whose daughter had bad dry and allergy prone skin. I really recommend this range of products!
2. Moisturising toxin-free organic baby products
Pure potions chamomile baby oil – this smells so lovely! It is a pure and natural alternative to a mineral baby oil and contains ZERO petrochemicals, parabens, preservatives, perfumes, synthetic fragrances, colours or additives. The reason I love this product is that it is multi-functional. It can be used firstly as a body oil/massage oil for after bath time. It can be used in the bath as a bath oil, and it can be used with cotton wool as a gentle, eco-friendly substitute for baby wipes. It is also amazing for adults! It can be used as a facial cleanser, massage oil, body oil or shaving oil. It is made from 100% natural ingredients and is Soil Association Certified Organic too. It is suitable for babies from 6 weeks old. Lastly, it is cruelty-free and vegan too! The range is entirely free from synthetic perfumes and colours, petrochemicals, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, SLS/SLES, PEGs, methylisothiazolinone (MI) and Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI). This magic product can be used as a Bath Oil, a Baby Massage Oil, for general cleaning on damp cotton wool, as a cradle cap oil and if you fancy a quick facial 😉 for adults too as a cleanser!
3. Bath Time with toxin-free baby products
Weleda Baby Shampoo and Body Wash is really amazing. It is completely natural and can be used both on hair and skin. It doesn’t contain soap and when it gets into the eyes it doesn’t sting which is so reassuring. It is completely vegan and is formulated using mild plant-based cleansers and zero chemicals. It is eco-friendly and has no synthetic ingredients whatsoever. It is creamy and moisturising and smells lovely. Nothing not to like about this!
Another favourite of mine is again a combined shampoo and body wash by Earth Friendly Baby (because it is easier when it is 2 in 1 and anything that saves time is a winner in these situations!). Earth Friendly Baby products are all Ecocert certified which means they are certified as being natural or organic by an official body. All of their bottles are made from recycled plastic and can be recycled again. Their products are made using organic farming which means there are no artificial fertilisers. They are a certified member of the RSPO (Roundtable of Sustainable Palm Oil) to ensure that the only palm oil used is sustainable. They are completely against animal testing for their products and their ingredients. They are a member of the Vegetarian and Vegan society too! The shampoo and body wash is so useful because it is 2 in 1 so no need for lots of bottles on the side of the bath! It smells amazing and the chamomile is known for anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. It is gently blended with grapefruit to provide a refreshing and uplifting scent. It is completely free of parabens, SLS has no artificial flavours or colours and it’s 99.2% natural and 50.1% organic. Another great option!
Lastly, I love using the Humphrey’s Corner natural vegan baby skin care range. Each product has been crafted with organic and other natural ingredients, which are all paraben free, artificial colour and fragrance-free, pH balanced, biodegradable and come in recyclable bottles. They all smell delicious!
4. Toxin-free Teething
Pure beginnings Teething gel is a natural teething gel which in my experience is immediately effective in providing relief for teething gums. My little one still gets teething pain but I observe she gets relief when this is applied. It contains Chamomile which is a natural anti-inflammatory naturally reducing swelling thereby soothing and calming inflamed gums. The inclusion of liquorice root extract helps temporarily soothe and relieve pain and discomfort. Marshmallow extract naturally reduces the pain and discomfort associated with teething. Xylitol inhibits the growth of bacteria that leads to tooth decay.
I have also heard about babies wearing Amber Necklaces or Bracelets which again would be chemical free, however, I haven’t tried this yet! But it may be worth knowing about if you didn’t hear about this already.
Pure beginnings toothpaste has 99% natural ingredients and actually tastes nice which is the first hurdle for brushing a little one’s teeth! It is safe to swallow and is also vegan-friendly too. It comes in different flavours and we have only tried the berries one, but they also do mint. It is sugar-free (not all baby toothpaste are!) and it is also fluoride free. It contains Xylitol – endorsed by many dental associations worldwide for its ability to inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause tooth decay.
5. Toxin-free Toy Sanitizer
Bentley Organic Toy Sanitizer – When cleaning toys or wiping the high chair tray (700 times per day!) after meal times it gives me peace of mind that I am using a spray that is organic certified made using plant extracts and proven to kill 99.9% germs. It is safe to use around pets and children as it is formulated without bleach, sulphates or phosphates,. It is approved by both the Vegan Society and the Soil Association. It is Paraben Free, SLS Free, SLS Free, Phenoxyethanol Free, Synthetic Colour Free, Synthetic Fragrance-Free too. Literally, spray onto the surface and wipe with a dry cloth.
6. Toxin-free Sun Protection
As I live in the middle of the desert (almost literally) In Abu Dhabi, it was important to me to find a chemical-free sun cream for my little one. So far the best one I have found is this one by Childs Farm. It is SPF 50+, water-resistant and protects from both UVA and UVB rays. It is suitable for babies and children and is dermatologist and paediatrician approved as suitable for sensitive and eczema-prone skin. The packaging is 100% recyclable and it contains no artificial colours, parabens, SLS or mineral oils. Childs Farm does not test any of their products on animals, most of their range is Vegan-Friendly.
7. Stain Removers (because trust me there will be stains!)
Ecover Stain Remover – This is an actual lifesaver. It genuinely works. It has a built-in brush applicator and you can use it on white and coloured laundry. It is plant based and also is fully biodegradable, not tested on animals, the bottle and label are both 100% recyclable.
Another great option is Seventh Generation Natural Laundry Stain Remover which is also AMAZING at getting rid of stains and saving you a fortune in having to not throw clothes away! It is biodegradable, not tested on animals, USDA Certified Organic, free of optical brighteners, dyes, perfumes, and synthetic fragrances. The bottle is also made from 100% recycled plastic.
8. Toxin-free Hand Sanitizer
Bentley Organic Hand Sanitiser is an organically certified hand sanitiser that is proven to kill 99.9% of germs including E.Coli and Listeria. This hand sanitiser is free from alcohol and harmful chemicals, so won’t dry hands. Plus, it’s biodegradable formula makes it environment-friendly. It is just a nice way to ensure you have killed germs mid nappy change in the middle of the park or on the back seat of the car when there is no sink in sight! Because babies don’t care when or where they need to be changed!
9. Things around your home
For those long long days and nights when you just cannot leave the house, do not worry! There are things that you can use without having to even get dressed (because as you know, in the early days this is an achievement in itself!)
– Coconut oil is really brilliant for both mums and babies. It can be used on sore boobs to keep them moisturised if you are breastfeeding with zero worries about the baby swallowing any nasty chemicals. Coconut oil is also fantastic as an all over moisturiser for babies, AND also as a nappy cream. Who would have thought it?
– I was also recommended to use olive oil for cradle cap (although it is a bit messy it does work).
– You can’t go wrong with warm water and some cotton wool for cleaning.
10. More natural and organic baby products brands
Finally, some other natural/organic baby product brands which I recommend you to look into:
I hope this has been helpful. I have tried out SO many more than these few products but I hope this gives you a good starting point for ideas and brands so that you can choose what works best for you.
Thanks for reading!
The Label Detective
Always Read The Label 😉
Wondering how to read a label yourself? Have a look at this guide on “How to read and truly understand a label” where Catherine also explains in depth about the certifications you would find on the products.
Why are we doing all this? Catherine has shared with us her story before becoming a mum an some of the consequences she had been through to the use of products and brands full of toxins. Definitely worth reading! And make sure you follow her on Instagram and Twitter!
Oh, and “Always read the label” – Thank you Catherine!
Is there any other similar brand you know or are curious about? Comment below, and we will make it happen!
