Post # 1

Member
1248 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: April 2012 - Chateau Briand
So i’ve heard a lot in recent months about formaldehyde and other sketchy chemicals in Johnson and Johnson products, but i know there are some sources suggesting these chemicals have been removed. As we our expecting Dear Daughter any day now, I had originally stocked up on just the disposable washcloths and the nighttime baby lotion. I was wondering if anyone knows what the status of chemicals in their products is and/or if these particular products are safe? I’m freaking out trying to decide whether to keep them or try to exchange them before Dear Daughter arrives.
HELP!!! Please and thank you!
Post # 3

Member
3696 posts
Sugar bee
Check out the Environmental Working Group’s website (ewg.org). They have a great resource, the Skin Deep cosmetics database, where you can search cosmetics/body care products by name to see what ingredients they contain and how they rate.
Post # 4

Member
409 posts
Helper bee
I’ve never heard any of the chemical stories in the UK, but I use J&J baby products daily on myself, and I’ve never had any adverse reaction or skin complaints. I’ve heard good reports of not using any products on a baby for the first month or two and then slowly introduce wash creams etc by diluting it in LOTS of water.
Post # 5

Member
498 posts
Helper bee
J&J products are very harsh for infants but you really shouldnt be using a lot of product for babies anyway. We use Aveeno but now they are owned by J&J. The website linked to by the PP was what we used to figure out what to use.
Post # 6

Member
11744 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
We’re planning to use Burt’s Bee’s. We consult the website listed above, as well.
Post # 7

Hostess
11165 posts
Sugar Beekeeper
@mixtaperomance: That is a little too open ended for my taste. Also, they have until 2015 according to their suggested timeline.
After that blast of publicity, Johnson & Johnson pledged last August to eliminate formaldehyde, parabens, triclosan and phthalates from all baby products. For adult products, it has removed triclosan and phthalates, but will keep using three parabens, and use formaldehyde in exceptional cases where other preservatives wouldn’t work, according to the company’s new policy.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=johnson-and-johnson-removes-some-chemicals-from-baby-shampoo-other-products
What ingredients are included in this phase out?
Johnson & Johnson has committed that it will do the following by the end of 2015:
• Reduce 1,4 dioxane to a maximum of 10 parts per million in adult products;
• Phase out formaldehyde-releasers in adult products;
• Limit parabens in adult products to methyl-, ethyl- and propyl-;
• Complete phase-out of triclosan from all products;
• Phase out Diethyl Phthalate (DEP) from all products (no other phthalates are currently used);
• Phase out polycyclic musks, animal derived ingredients, tagates, rose crystal and diacetyl from fragrances.
http://safecosmetics.org/article.php?id=1064
Post # 8

Member
1248 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: April 2012 - Chateau Briand
@KCKnd2: great, thanks for the link! I’ll definitely play around with the site ๐
@bluefrog33: will you be switching products?
@MrsWBS: what are you favorite burt’s bees products? I’ve been checking them out online and wasn’t sure which ones to try..
@Treejewel19: that’s terrible, i had no idea they had that long to remove the checmicals/switch up ingredients ๐
@Laurengrapes: If the chemicals are really that bad, i feel like i’d rather just not use those products all together ๐ blah this is all so annoying!
Post # 9

Member
498 posts
Helper bee
@mixtaperomance: I will use the aveeno with no fragrance. But I am also loving Dr. Bronners right now and babyganics.
Post # 10

Member
1492 posts
Bumble bee
Burt’s bees is local to me and has great product so we will be going with them too. I’ve always heard j&j wasn’t as friendly as they claimedso not surprised. I’ve used burts skin line for years and started using their mama bee stuff lately and it all smells amazing without being overwhelming. SIL swears by the diaper ointment. ๐
Post # 11

Member
6887 posts
Busy Beekeeper
California Baby or Yes to Carrots for Babies
Post # 12

Member
1796 posts
Buzzing bee
I think Dr. Bronner’s is probably one of the only soaps out there right now that doesn’t have any of that crap in there. There are also a few products (Burt’s Bees) that have a lot less, but aren’t 100% free of those nasty chemicals. Unfortunately, formaldehyde is pretty much in everything now. I have even seen articles about it being used in tampons. It’s hard to avoid all of the crap now even if you don’t put it on baby’s skin.
Post # 13

Member
335 posts
Helper bee
Local health food stores should have some great clean brands. That’s where I buy shampoo/soaps For Myself.
Post # 14

Member
1248 posts
Bumble bee
- Wedding: April 2012 - Chateau Briand
@bluefrog33: @beetee123: where do you get dr. bronners?? I’m curious now about these products…
@lovemygsp: it seems Burt’s bees products are pretty popular. I love their lip moisturizer, etc but I haven’t really tried anything else.
@nataliegrace90: not to sound cheap, but doesn’t it get expensive? I always feel like health food store items are pricier than the more “commercialized” brands? Idk, I know that probably sounds really stupid…
@Sassygrn: yes to carrots? I’ve never heard of that brand, what are your go to products from that line??
Post # 15

Member
18628 posts
Honey Beekeeper
@mixtaperomance: Do you have a Whole Foods or Earth Fare? They have a lot of the natural baby products including Dr. Bronner’s.
Post # 16

Member
6887 posts
Busy Beekeeper
@mixtaperomance: http://www.yestocarrots.com/ here you go. You can get their products at Target.