J&J's Baby Wash. Sigh. Yes, if you're around my age--thirty or so--then you were probably bathed in this stuff as an infant. Like me, you've probably grown to love the smell of it. But, if you're on this blog, you might already know that it is one nasty chemical soup that, in my opinion, should be nowhere near a baby. In 2008, the journal Pediatrics effectively agreed with me, publishing research that linked phthalates to a host of health issues in little ones and women, in particular. Johnson & Johnson's Baby Wash contains, among other things, a phthalate. Of course, as soon as the study came out, the company scrambled to convince moms that the phthalate they use is safe, that the research done by the folks in the Pediatrics article was flawed, and then, most laughably, they offered the "expert advice" of a panel of "scientists and physicians" known collectively as the CIP, who claimed products containing phthalates are safe. The CIP--Cosmetics Ingredient Review--was founded and is funded by the cosmetics, toiletries, and fragrance industries, which live and die by phthalates. For concerned parents, if you hear from a company that an "independent panel" has made a finding that sound suspiciously convenient for that company's bottom line, check into the acronyms--chances are you'll find a front group.
Anyway, I was so aggravated by this "Mom Show" host singing the praises of Johnson & Johnson's baby wash, "as gentle to the eyes as water" that I wanted to kick in the TV, but my pregnancy heft wouldn't allow me to get off the couch in time. It's one thing to see ads that sing chemically problematic products' praises--at least we know they are ads and know to be skeptical. But television shows that masquerade as concept programs but are really just venues for advertisers to sell their products are gross and misleading.
Luckily, most of us are too smart for this. One of the most heartening things that I've seen happen in the three years since I started this blog is the way moms have done their research and are becoming skeptical to corporate claims of safety and nontoxicity. We are seeing that chemical companies, for example, have underestimated the average mother's intelligence--the BPA fiasco is an example, as is the companies' desperate attempt to convince us that BPA is safe. It's time we talk about Johnson & Johnson's "safe as water" bullshit and stop buying the product until they remove phthalates from their list of ingredients. Some truly wonderful options are available, including my favorite, Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo and Baby Wash (whose formulation has not changed since Clorox bought the company). I will be taking a bottle to the hospital this September so my second baby isn't doused in J&J's baby wash, as my first, unfortunately was, during his first bath. I suggest everyone who is expecting consider doing the same. One note about Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo and Body Wash: it is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, paraben, and phthalate-free. However, it does include "fragrance," which suggests a small amount of synthetic fragrance. However, I am completely comfortable with it because the fragrance doesn't contain SLS or phthalates, which are the chemicals of concern when you see "fragrance." In addition, my son, whose skin is uber-sensitive (he broke out in horrible eczema after using California Baby!), has zero reaction to BB. However, it's important to know that even this product isn't 100% natural (I think it's 98.2%).
