Having a baby is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in life, and part of being a parent is doing everything in your power to ensure they grow up as healthy as possible. From choosing the softest baby clothes to ensuring bottles are BPA-free, you want to give your child the best of everything. Unfortunately, one of the most commonly overlooked aspects of baby care are the ingredients found in their bath products. From formaldehyde to parabens, baby soaps can contain an assortment of chemicals that can adversely affect your child.
The reason I started making soap in the first place was because I was reading the back of the baby wash I'd always used, and I was shocked at all of the ingredients I was putting on my children's skin. I knew I could do better, and I set out to make a soap that I felt comfortable using on my babies.
Read on to learn how to choose the right soap for your baby, ingredients to avoid, the benefits of natural baby bath products, and get answers to your frequently asked questions about the best baby soap.
 "I bought this soap for my 20 month old grandson. He has had eczema and irritated, hyper sensitive skin since he was born. We tried prescription creams and various types of sensitive skin soaps but nothing helped until this soap! After only ONE use his skin is 90% improved. It is such a Godsend! I cried tears of joy when I saw how much better his skin was after his first bath with this stuff. I only wish we had tried it sooner. You have a customer for life! Thank you so much for your incredible products!" - Jennifer H. |
Choosing The Right Soap for Baby's Bath
Babies have some of the most sensitive skin on the planet, and you need to take steps to protect it. Babies can react to even small amounts of chemicals, which is why we see so many parents trying to figure out what’s wrong when they use traditional baby products.
These issues can become much worse when a baby has extra sensitive skin. Even “safe” ingredients like dyes and fragrances can cause horrible side effects after use. Signs of a baby with extra sensitive skin include:
- Skin changes after dressing or wrapping the baby
- Reactions to lotions
- Reactions during or after a bath with soap
It can be heart-breaking to see your baby in pain, especially since reactions can appear as rashes, hives, burning, itching, and in severe cases, bleeding.
When looking at the various baby soap options on the market, you need to look for soap that’s free from harmful ingredients and stick close to nature. When you choose a natural baby soap, there are less ingredients that could cause a reaction. Using the best soap for your baby’s skin, with less chances of an allergic reaction or sensitivity, leads to a happier, healthier baby.
 "Works great with my newborn granddaughter's eczema" - Michael B. |
Top Ingredients to Avoid in Baby Wash and Shampoos
You would be shocked by the number of chemicals in conventional baby wash and exactly what they can do to your baby. Some of the most common ingredients we see in baby washes include:
- Fragrances – That lovely lavender or baby powder smell coming from your baby’s bath wash may actually cause more harm than good. Fragrances are one of the most common ingredients in different brands of baby wash (even though nothing compares to the smell of a newborn baby), and they’re also one of the biggest culprits when looking at what might be causing your baby’s skin to react. Fragrances have been shown to be endocrine blockers (meaning they mess with your baby’s hormone system), may contain a link to asthma development, and many babies are allergic to them.
- Parabens – One of the most common preservatives on the market, parabens have been used in cosmetics for roughly 100 years. Unfortunately, they’re also one of the most toxic chemicals on the planet. One of the biggest things parabens do is attack the endocrine system, leading to issues with the hormonal system with an emphasis on reproductive development. Parabens are also linked to cancer and skin irritation as well. Because of this, there have been numerous efforts to get parabens banned from U.S. products; unfortunately, the FDA has done nothing to make this a reality.
- Phthalates – These are actually a type of synthetic fragrance, but you’re never going to see them on an ingredient list because the FDA allows them to go under the generic “fragrance” label. Phthalates may give a nice scent, but they have been linked to the development of asthma. Phthalates basically attack the airway cells, leading to “airway remodeling,” the root cause of chronic asthma. Furthermore, scientists believe it can make more severe asthma form, resulting in a chronic health condition your baby will likely never get over. At Goat Milk Stuff, we are dedicated to only using paraben and phthalate free fragrances.
- 1,4-dioxane – This actually isn’t an ingredient in baby wash; it’s a by-product contaminant. However, it’s been found in numerous bottles of baby wash, which is why we think it should be on our list. 1,4-dioxane is a carcinogenic chemical that can lead to severe health problems primarily in the kidneys and liver. A quality organic baby bath soap will allow you to avoid 1,4-dioxane.
- Formaldehyde – Many people are shocked to find that this chemical is common in conventional bath and beauty products, including baby soap and shampoo. Formaldehyde is a carcinogenic that can cause an extreme reaction for those with highly sensitive skin, and can build up for those who are less sensitive. Rather than risking your baby’s health, the best thing you can do is use a natural baby soap.
 "I love this soap! My daughter was born with sensitive skin and had issues with eczema. After looking at the baby wash I was using, I decided there were way too many chemicals in it. I decided to make the switch and my daughter hasn't had any other flare ups. She always feels soft and smells great. I highly recommend for all moms :)" - Brandee B. |
Benefits of Natural Soap for Babies
You now know what could be lurking in your baby’s soap, but where do you go from here? How do you find a soap that won’t harm your baby? Many parents are finding they prefer natural soaps, and not only because they can avoid chemicals found in big brands. Some benefits of the best organic baby soap include:
- Hydrate and soothe dry skin
- Moisturize
- Help sensitive skin
By making the switch to a quality natural soap for your baby, you can ensure that your child is not getting exposed to chemicals that could irrevocably damage their bodies for years to come during your nightly bath time routine. Not only will you get peace of mind when switching to a soap brand you can trust, you’ll also be able to enjoy bath time with your baby again.
 "Both of my kids have extremely sensitive skin and one has eczema. Goat Milk Stuff has been a life saver since they were born!! We recently started using the milk bath and it’s absolutely amazing!!! And my boys love it!" - Amy V. |
Frequently Asked Questions About Newborn Bath Products
We understand you probably have a few questions about newborn bath products which is why we have created this handy FAQ section to give you the knowledge you need on baby bath products.
What is the safest soap for a baby?
Obviously the safest soap is chemical-free. However, it is worth noting that each baby is different. Some babies may need extra sensitive soap throughout their lives while others can eventually switch to (naturally) scented options.
Is baby wash chemical free?
If you’re here for the TL;DR version of the article, no, conventional baby wash is not chemical free. Many baby shampoos contain the same dangerous chemicals as their adult counterparts. Goat milk soap, however, uses natural ingredients and the end result is a product that you can trust to help your baby's skin, not hurt it.
What does tear free mean?
Remember the raging debate a few years ago when people were thinking that “tear free” meant no hair tears? It actually meant no tears as in watering of the eyes. These products work by using synthetic detergents that attempt to match the skin’s pH levels, resulting in a “tear free” experience. These chemicals can have adverse reactions on the skin in addition to not actually being tear free as they claim.
Which soap do we recommend?
We recommend using our Castile for newborns to ensure the most comfortable bathing experience for all babies. With only Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil as the base, and goat milk to add extra moisturizing benefits, it's unlikely to cause any irritation because of allergies, and it's extremely gentle. We even bring it to the hospital for baby's first bath, and the nurses love it!
 "I have been using this soap for my newborn. It cleans him well but is also so moisturizing. I’ll definitely continue to purchase Goat Milk Stuff soap for my entire family." - Valarie A. |
After six months, we switch our own babies (first our children, now our grandkids!) to Purity, our pure unscented goat milk soap with ingredients you can recognize, or one of our amazing scented soaps. We have both Essential Oil Goat Milk Soaps and Fragrance Oil Goat Milk Soaps, and all of them are paraben and phthalate free.
 "We love this product. The Purity bar was the only product that saved my newborn's skin! We tried the top rated products on the market and they all irritated his skin. This product worked miracles." - A. W. |
Choosing a soap for your baby shouldn’t feel like a minefield. Sadly, big brands have made it a difficult experience for those looking for the best baby wash for their child. From formaldehyde to paraben and phthalate laced fragrances, baby soap from big corporations contains too many dangerous chemicals. When you switch to our soaps, you are getting the best organic baby soap on the market. Made with ingredients you recognize and specially formulated to be gentle on skin, our goat milk soap will quickly become a staple in your home for years to come.