Are These Popular Baby Wipes Safe?
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While I was researching for non-toxic baby wipes, I couldn’t help wondering about popular baby wipe brands such as Huggies, Pampers or Kirkland. Are they safe? I mean I can get Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes from Costco and they are very affordable. Also, I look at Amazon.com and see that Huggies and Pampers baby wipes are very popular. You can purchase them at 2 cents per wipe. So I decided to look into the ingredients of the following five popular baby wipes: Kirkland Signature baby wipes, Pampers Sensitive baby wipes, Huggies Simply Clean Fresh Wipes, Lansinoh Clean & Condition baby wipes and Burt’s Bees Baby Bee wipes.
Keep in mind that Huggies or Pampers have several different baby wipes under their name. For example, Pampers have Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes, Pampers Baby Fresh Baby Wipes and Pampers Natural Clean Baby Wipes as their baby wipe products. Each baby wipes contain different ingredients. Therefore, just because you see ingredients of Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes here, it doesn’t mean the ingredients apply to all of Pampers baby wipes. Also, as I have mentioned in my previous posting ‘Non-Toxic Baby Wipes Guide – What Toxic Ingredients To Avoid In Baby Wipes‘, words such as ‘hypoallergenic’, ‘natural’, ‘gentle’ or ‘sensitive’ are marketing words. These words don’t mean baby wipes are safe. The only way to find out if the baby wipes are safe is by reading the ingredients.
I have listed each product’s ingredients, fabric material and EWG’s Skin Deep score below. EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database has online profiles for cosmetics and personal care products and their potential hazards and health concerns. Potential hazards are scored from 1 to 10, hazard score 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest. They rate each ingredient in the product and also give an overall score to the product.
Let’s take a look!
Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes
All ingredients of Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes except phenoxyethanol, sodium benzoate and Glycerin have hazard score of 1 by EWG’s Skin Deep (hazard score 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest). Glycerin has a score of 2. Except for phenoxyethanol and sodium benzoate, the rest of the ingredients are pretty safe.
EWG’s Skin Deep Score: Not Available
Ingredients: Purified Water, Phenoxyethanol, Decyl Glucoside, Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate, *Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Citrate, *Citric Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Glycerin, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
Toxic Ingredients In Kirkland Baby Wipes:
Phenoxyethanol (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 4)
Phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative. There are high concerns of Irritation of skin, eyes, or lungs with this chemical. There are also concerns of immune system toxicity with phenoxyethanol. However, there is limited evidence to prove immune system toxicity.
Sodium Benzoate (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 3)
Sodium Benzoate is one ingredient that has sense organ toxicity (non-reproductive) concern. However, this concern is marked low by EWG’s Skin Deep since there are limited evidence to prove organ system toxicity. On the other hand, there are people who are against using this chemical in products. In the article, This Is Why Sodium Benzoate Is So Scary, it states that the combination of sodium benzoate and citric acid and/or ascorbic acid (vitamin C) form benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. Kirkland Signature Baby Wipes have both citric acid and sodium benzoate in the ingredients. (marked with * and in bold)
Fabric Material: The fabric is made of 70% Tencel® fiber, a naturally soft, environmentally friendly fiber. The fiber is a 100% renewable resource made from wood pulp.
PAMPERS SENSITIVE BABY WIPES
Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes have contamination concerns of Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) which may have been contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.
EWG’s Skin Deep Score: 2
Ingredients:
Water, *Citric Acid, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Citrate, Sorbitan Caprylate, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexyglycerin, Sodium Citrate, *Sodium Benzoate, Disodium EDTA, Bis-PEG/PPG-16/16 PEG/PPG-16/16 Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Xanthan Gum, Bisabolol, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice
Toxic Ingredients In Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes:
- Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) – (Skin Deep score of 3 but 1,4-dioxane is 8, Ethylene oxide is 10.)
Pampers Sensitive Baby Wipes contain polyethylene glycols (PEGs) as highlighted above. Polyethylene Glycols (PEGs) are penetration enhancer and they are petroleum-based. As an ingredient, it is listed as PEG, usually followed by a number. During manufacturing processes, PEGs may be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Ethylene oxide is a known human carcinogen and and 1,4-dioxane is a possible human carcinogen. Ethylene oxide is also classified as a developmental toxicant. 1,4-dioxane can be removed but not all manufacturers remove 1,4-dioxane from the product. Therefore, consumers don’t know if the removing has been done during manufacturing process. Therefore, it is best to avoid this ingredient from baby wipes.
- Benzyl Alcohol (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 5)
Benzyl alcohol is classified as expected to be toxic or harmful by Environment Canada Domestic Substance List. There are moderate concerns of organ system toxicity (non-reproductive). It also has been associated with contact allergy. It is especially dangerous for young infants. Researchers found that the alcohol’s toxic effects were enhanced in very small infants. It can cause convulsions, respiratory failure, paralysis and hypotension. It is now recommended that benzyl alcohol not be used with infants. (read Benzyl Alcohol: Another Irritating Preservative Unsafe For Infants)
- Phenoxyethanol (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 4)
Phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative. There is high concerns of Irritation of skin, eyes, or lungs. There is also a concern of immune system toxicity with phenoxyethanol. However, there is limited evidence to prove immune system toxicity.
- Ethylhexyglycerin (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 1)
Ethylhexyglycerin is used as preservatives and it can cause contact dermatitis.
- Sodium Benzoate EWG’s (Skin Deep score of 3)
Sodium Benzoate is an ingredient that has sense organ toxicity (non-reproductive) concern. However, this concern is marked at low with EWG’ Skin Deep since there are limited evidence of organ system toxicity. On the other hand, there are people who are against using this chemical in products. In the article, This Is Why Sodium Benzoate Is So Scary, it states that the combination of sodium benzoate and citric acid and/or ascorbic acid (vitamin C) form benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. Pampers has both citric acid and sodium benzoate in the ingredients. (marked with * and in bold)
Fabric Material: Non-woven cloth like material which is made of modified cellulose & polypropylene blend (read Pampers Baby Wipes.)
- Polypropylene
Polypropylene is #5 plastic which is a low-toxin plastic that is tolerant of heat. It is used in Pamper’s wipes for extra softness and flexibility. However, polypropylen is a plastic. One study found that polypropylene leached at least two chemicals. (read more about polypropylene leaching chemicals.) Also, University of Texas published the study and confirmed that almost all plastics, even BPA-free plastics leach hormone-disrupting chemicals.
- Modified Cellulose (Rayon)
Modified cellulose is manufactured fiber made from cellulose or protein. Rayon is a manufactured fiber. Rayon is recycled wood pulp that is treated with thousands of harmful toxic chemicals during production. Its chemicals can cause headache, nausea, insomnia, vomiting, chest and muscle pain. (read Health Risks Of Toxic Fibers and Fabrics.)
Huggies Simply Clean Fresh Wipes
Huggies Simply Clean Fresh Wipes contain fragrance which is a highly hazardous chemical.
EWG’s Skin Deep Score: 4
Ingredients: fragrance, malic acid, polysorbate-20, tocopheryl acetate, sodium benzoate, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf extract, coco-betaine, caprylyl glycol, sodium citrate, water
Toxic Ingredients In Huggies Simply Clean Fresh Wipes:
- Fragrance (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 8)
Fragrance mixes often contain many synthetic chemicals including phthalates. However, fragrance can be listed as just ‘fragrance’ and phthalates don’t have to be listed on the baby wipes as an ingredient. Manufacturers do not have to disclose fragrance or perfume (or parfum) ingredients since ingredients can be considered as a trade secret. Phthalates are known to be endocrine disruptors. Endocrine disruptors interfere with our endocrine system and can cause lowered fertility and an increased incidence of endometriosis, and some cancers. Fragrance (Perfume) is a known human immune system toxicant or allergen.
- Malic Acid (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 4)
Malic acid may be animal-derived. There is a strong evidence that malic acid is a human irritant for skin, eyes and lungs.
- Polysorbate-20 (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 3, but 1,4-dioxane is 8,)
Polysorbate 20 has contamination concerns with1,4 dioxane. There is high contamination concerns with these wipes.
- Sodium Benzoate (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 3)
Sodium Benzoate is one ingredient that has sense organ toxicity (non-reproductive) concern. However, this concern is marked low by EWG’s Skin Deep since there are limited evidence to prove organ system toxicity. On the other hand, there are people who are against using this chemical in products. In the article, This Is Why Sodium Benzoate Is So Scary, it states that the combination of sodium benzoate and citric acid and/or ascorbic acid (vitamin C) form benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. Huggies has both citric acid and sodium benzoate in the ingredients. (marked with * and in bold)
Lansinoh Clean & Condition Baby Wipes
I feel Lansinoh Clean & Condition baby wipes contain too many toxic ingredients. Especially, it has fragrance which is a highly hazardous chemical.
EWG’s Skin Deep Score: 6
Ingredients:
Water, Paraffinum Liquidum, Propylene Glycol, Oleyl Erucate, Phenoxyethanol, Glyceryl Oleate, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Ceteareth-20, Methylparaben, PEG-75, Lanolin, Cetylpyridinium Chloride, Butylparaben, Perfume.
Toxic Ingredients In Lansinoh Baby Wipes:
- Perfume (fragrance)- (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 8)
Perfume has the high hazard score of 8 by EWG’s Skin Deep. (hazard score 1 being the lowest and 10 being the highest) It is a known human immune system toxicant or allergen.
- Butylparaben (parabens) – (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 7)
Butylparaben (parabens) is one of the parabens family and it has a high hazard score of 7. It is used as a preservative. It is a human endocrine disruptor.
- Methylparaben (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 4)
Methylparaben (parabens) is one of the parabens family. There is a strong evidence of endocrine disruption with methylparaben.
- Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) – (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 3 but 1,4-dioxane is 8, Ethylene oxide is 10.)
Polyethylene glycols (PEGs) are used as a skin conditioning agent. They may be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing processes. Ethylene oxide is a known human carcinogen and and 1,4-dioxane is a possible human carcinogen.
- Phenoxyethanol (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 4)
Phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative. There is a concern of skin and immune system toxicity or allergies with phenoxyethanol. However, there is limited evidence.
- Ceteareth-20 (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 3, but 1,4-dioxane is 8, Ethylene oxide is 10.)
There is contamination concerns of 1,4-dioxane or ethylene oxide with ceteareth-20. Ethylene oxide is a known human carcinogen and and 1,4-dioxane is a possible human carcinogen.
Fabric Material: Cotton blend, Spun-lace fabric, spunlace nonwovens generally contain a certain proportion of viscose (a semi-synthetic fiber such as rayon) or plant fiber.
Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Wipes
Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Wipes has a few ingredients that are cause for concern. They are not the worst ingredients but still bad ones.
EWG’s Skin Deep Score: 3
Ingredients:
Aqua (water, eau), aloe barbadensis leaf juice, glycerin, glycine soja (soybean) oil, benzyl alcohol, caprylyl/capryl glucoside, *citric acid, polyglyceryl-4 caprate, potassium sorbate, *sodium benzoate, tocopherol, xanthan gum, phenoxyethanol.
Toxic Ingredients In Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Wipes:
- Benzyl alcohol (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 5)
Benzyl alcohol is classified as expected to be toxic or harmful by Environment Canada Domestic Substance List. There are moderate concerns of organ system toxicity (non-reproductive). It also has been associated with contact allergy. It is especially dangerous for young infants. Researchers found that the alcohol’s toxic effects were enhanced in very small infants. It can cause convulsions, respiratory failure, paralysis and hypotension. It is now recommended that benzyl alcohol not be used with infants. (read Benzyl Alcohol: Another Irritating Preservative Unsafe For Infants)
- Sodium Benzoate (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 3)
Sodium Benzoate is one ingredient that has a sense organ toxicity (non-reproductive) concern. However, this concern is marked low by EWG’s Skin Deep since there are limited evidence of organ system toxicity. On the other hand, there are people who are against using this chemical in products. In the article, This Is Why Sodium Benzoate Is So Scary, it states that the combination of sodium benzoate and citric acid and/or ascorbic acid (vitamin C) form benzene, a cancer-causing chemical. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Wipes has both citric acid and sodium benzoate in the ingredients. (marked with * and in bold)
- Phenoxyethanol (EWG’s Skin Deep score of 4)
Phenoxyethanol is used as a preservative. There is high concerns of Irritation of skin, eyes, or lungs. There is also a concern of immune system toxicity with phenoxyethanol. However, there is limited evidence to prove immune system toxicity.
Final Thoughts
Popular brands such as Huggies, Pampers, Kirkland, Lansinoh or Burt’s Bees, they all contain toxic ingredients. Some have better ingredients than others, however, I feel all of them are not safe one way or another. I have heard that Huggies, Pampers or Kirkland used to have even worse ingredients in the past but they have improved their wipes over the years. Hopefully, they replace the rest of the bad ingredients with better ones in the future.
If you are looking for non-toxic baby wipes, read my previous posting ‘ Best Non-Toxic Baby Wipes – Get Safe Baby Wipes For Your Baby!)
If you want to read what toxic ingredients to avoid in baby wipes, read my previous posting, ‘‘Non-Toxic Baby Wipes Guide – What Toxic Ingredients To Avoid In Baby Wipes’
Water wipes are the least offensive, 2 ingredients, water and grapefruit seed extract, you can get them for about 5¢ a wipe if you buy a big box.
I love Water wipes! I use both Water wipes and Jason Reese Baby wipes. They are both great. I like Water wipes because they can also be used to clean baby’s hands when you are out.
[Update May 2019] Now, WaterWipes company is disclosing their ingredients as 99.9% water and a drop of fruit extract (contains trace (0.002%) of benzalkonium chloride) Benzalkonium chloride was not listed in the ingredients before. Benzalkonium chloride is a type of cationic surfactant. It is not absorbed through the skin. In a two-year study on rats, there was no evidence of carcinogenic activity. However, it can cause skin, eye, and respiratory irritation and allergies to some people with asthma or skin conditions such as eczema. The amount of benzalkonium chloride is very low so your baby may not be affected at all. My daughter hasn’t had any skin irritation problem at all from it. However, I thought I should let you know that WaterWipes discloses this ingredient in their ingredient list as trace of benzalkonium chloride.