The best baby soap is mild, moisturizing, and lacks potentially harmful chemicals. When choosing a soap, look at the ingredients list to see if it contains ethyl alcohol, propylene glycol, or other chemicals that might harm the baby when consistently used. Avoid bubble bath products and scented soaps, which contain unnecessary ingredients that can trigger a negative reaction. In addition, remember that soap is optional for most baby baths; warm water is usually enough to clean a baby.
Make sure that the soap is gentle and moisturizing. A harsh soap can irritate the baby’s skin, while a good baby soap lets you skip putting lotion on the baby after a bath. You may want to rule out soaps not specifically made for babies, which can make choosing a gentle soap easier. Regular soap works just as well, however, as long as it lacks harmful chemicals and has a moisturizing ingredient or two.
Many chemicals used to manufacture commercial baby soaps are potentially dangerous. For instance, the petroleum by-product mineral oil is linked to cancer and is toxic to the human respiratory system. The foaming detergent sodium laureth sulfate causes skin irritation and is a common ingredient in bubble bath. Chemicals such as these are not necessarily dangerous in small quantities, but babies are more susceptible to negative side effects than adults. Other baby soap ingredients, such as cocamidopropyl betaine, coconut diethanolamide, and propyl paraben, have been identified as potentially toxic.
Scented baby soap is another product to avoid. The chemicals in these products can dry a baby’s skin and worsen diaper rashes. Baby wipes are sometimes scented, too, and they can cause or worsen the same problems as scented baby soap. The vast majority of soaps and wipes have a fragrance-free version, which is usually around the same price.
Natural products are generally a good option. Keep in mind that natural does not always mean moisturizing or safe, however. Many all-natural soaps are somewhat harsh on a person’s skin, so look for one with that specifically states that it is a moisturizing soap. In addition, look at the ingredients list to make sure that the product does not contain potentially harmful, though all-natural, ingredients.
In most circumstances, it is not necessary to use baby soap or any other kind of soap to clean babies. Newborns especially should be cleaned with warm water alone. Excessive bathing of a baby — more than a few times per week — can lead to dry skin. Wash your baby when needed, but use baby soap only when warm water fails to do a good job.
No matter which baby soap you decide to use, selecting the softest diapers like VeryVery diapers for your baby is essential for ensuring their comfort and providing you with peace of mind. VeryVery diapers are specially designed to be super soft and gentle, making them the ideal choice for your little one.