Understanding Baby Skincare Product Labels – Simplified Terminology

Complex scientific names on the back of the label of a baby skincare might sound daunting. Others may sound friendly, but don’t let that fool you either! It is best to do your own research and make an informed choice. It is of utmost importance to read the label to see what ingredients go inside the baby skincare products that you are planning to use.

Here’s how to make sense of the complicated names that you see on the labels:

Ammonium Laurel Sulfate – Cleanser

Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil – hair conditioner

Aubepine Para Cresol – fragrance component

Benzyl Acetate – fragrance component

BHT – preservative

Bicyclo Nonalactone – fragrance component

Carbomer – thickener

Cetearyl Alcohol – emulsion stabilizer

Citric Acid – pH adjuster

Cocamidopropyl Betaine – cleanser

Coconut Acid – moisturizer

Coconut Oil – moisturizer

Cocos Nucifera (coconut oil) – moisturizer

Decyl Glucoside – cleanser

Dimethicone – skin conditioner

Dipropylene Glycol – perfume component

Disodium EDTA – chelating agent

Ethylene Brassylate – fragrance component

Ethylexylglycerin – skin conditioner

Florosa – fragrance component

Fragrance – fragrance

Glycerin – humectant

Glyceryl Stearate – emulsifier

Glycol Distearate – moisturizer

Hedione – perfume component

Hexyl Salicylate – fragrance component

Hydroxypropyl Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride – hair conditioner

Ionone Beta – fragrance component

Isopropyl Palmitate – moisturizer

Lauryl Glucoside – cleanser

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate – thickener

Mefrosol – fragrance component

Methyl lonones – fragrance component

Methyl Paraben – preservative

p-Anisic Acid – fragrance

Peach Pure – fragrance component

PEG 80 Sorbitan Laurate – cleanser

PEG-150 Distearate – thickener

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate – thickener

Phenoxyethanol – preservative

Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol – fragrance component

Polyquaternium-10 – hair conditioner

Polysorbate 20 – emulsifier

PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide – cleanser

Quaternium 15 – preservative

Silk Amino Acids – moisturizer

Sodium Benzoate – preservative

Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate – cleanser

Sodium Hydroxide – pH adjuster

Sodium Lauryl Sulphate – cleanser

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate – cleanser

Sodium Trideceth Sulfate – cleanser

Stearic Acid – emulsfier

Tetrasodium EDTA – chelating agent

Titanium Dioxide – pigment

Tropional – fragrance component

Xanthan Gum – thickener

What does a Chelating Agent, an Emulsifier, a Humectant or a pH stabilizer do?

Now that you know he simplified names of the more commonly added ingredients to baby skin care products, let’s take a look at what is the importance of these ingredients in the final product.

1. Chelating Agent – helps maintain product freshness

2. Emulsifier – help give lotion a consistent texture

3. Emulsion stabilizer – helps give product consistent texture

4. Hair conditioner – helps make hair more soft, shiny and manageable

5. Humectant – helps moisturize by drawing in moisture to the skin

6. pH adjuster – Specifically used to create the ideal pH, balanced to baby’s skin

7. Pigment – gives white color to product

8. Preservative – helps keep product fresh OR helps keep product safe

9. Skin conditioner – helps moisturize and soften skin

10. Thickener – helps give product thickness and makes it easy to apply

Source:

I attended the ‘School of Gentle’ by Johnson’s Baby India where I was enlightened upon the ingredients and their meanings. Being the oldest company manufacturing baby skin care products, most of the research used by the industry is theirs, making it a completely trustworthy source of information.