Is baby perfume safe for skin health?

The baby's body actually has a distinctive fragrance. However, this fragrance can also disappear when the baby sweats a lot. Some mothers end up giving special perfumes with the aim of making their little one's skin smell good. However, is baby perfume safe enough for skin that is still delicate and vulnerable?

Contents of baby perfume

Perfume, fragrance, and cologne is a product with the same use, namely to scent the baby's skin throughout the day while he is active. These products are usually used with other care products such as soap or shampoo.

Baby fragrances are generally made from water, fragrances, dyes, and various chemicals with their respective functions. Some baby perfumes also contain extracts of natural ingredients that are believed to be beneficial for baby's skin.

Chemical compounds that are often used in baby perfume are polysorbate 20, sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, citric acid, propylene glycol, dimethicone, and tetrasodium EDTA. While extracts of natural ingredients that are often used, for example, castor oil.

In order for this product to have a fresh fragrance, the producer will also add fragrance to flowers and fruits. After being determined to be safe through trials, then perfume, fragrance, and cologne baby can be released to the market.

The ingredients in perfume to watch out for

Baby perfume may be useful for making her body smell good. However, not all ingredients in this product are safe for baby's skin. Some ingredients can actually cause allergic reactions, irritation, and are poisonous.

The ingredients you need to watch out for include:

1. Propylene glycol

Most baby perfumes contain propylene glycol. This material actually does not cause immediate harm, but it is feared long-term exposure can increase the risk of cancer.

Propylene glycol quickly absorbs into the skin. Its function is to open the pores of the skin so that other chemical compounds can enter more easily. Apart from baby perfume, this compound is also widely available in wet wipes.

2. Fragrances (fragrance)

Fragrance is an ingredient that is very often found in baby products, including perfume. Unfortunately, some baby perfumes contain fragrances that are not safe. This substance is usually a by-product of petroleum processing.

Scented substances can cause allergic reactions, both on the skin, in respiration and in the eyes. The effects can last for hours on the baby's body. Immediately stop using the product if the baby shows signs of an allergy to fragrances.

3. Phthalates

Phthalates are found in a wide variety of products. Starting from soap, shampoo, detergent, nail cleaner, shaving lotion, to baby perfume. This compound is considered dangerous because it is very easily released into the air and inhaled into the baby's respiratory tract.

Phthalates can also enter the baby's body through products that come into contact with the skin. It is feared that long-term exposure can cause damage to the liver, lungs, kidneys and reproductive system.

Baby perfume actually has its own uses, but this product is not mandatory as a series of skin care for your baby. The reason is, not all ingredients in baby perfume are safe for the health of their skin.

Parents also need to be careful because some babies are more at risk of developing allergies and irritations. So that your baby still smells good, you can use a safer method, which is to keep the skin from getting damp with sweat.