Baby shampoo is not just shampoo for babies. Both baby hair is fine and baby skin is delicate so both require formulas and ingredients that are different from shampoo for adults. While these differences eliminate the sting that shampoo in the eyes can produce, they also make baby shampoo an ineffective choice for most adults.
Surfactant
Surfactants are the detergent ingredients that combine with water and work to loosen dirt and oil, cleaning your baby's hair and scalp. Most baby shampoo contains a special detergent ingredient called an amphoteric surfactant. Amphoteric surfactants are very mild and low foaming detergents that clean without irritating. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include sodium trideceth sulfate, PEG-80 sorbitan, laurate, cocamidopropyl betaine, lauroamphoglycinate, PEG 150 distearate and sodium laureth-13 carboxylate.
Anti-Tearing
This ingredient prevents the stinging you associate with shampoo when it gets in your eyes. Sodium lauroamphoacetate, a derivative of coconut oil, counters the effects of ingredients such as citric acid that cause your baby's eyes to burn.
Emollient
Even the gentlest of detergents strip natural oils from your baby's hair. Emollients work to restore moisture by attracting and trapping moisture contained in the air. Preventing moisture from evaporating helps keep hair soft and full. In addition, anti-static properties in emollients help prevent fly-away hair. Two common emollient ingredients in baby shampoo are glycerin and polyquaternium-10.
Emulsifier
Because oils and water do not mix, baby shampoo needs emulsifiers to prevent shampoo ingredients from separating. Emulsifier ingredients thicken the shampoo, keep the product smooth and make it easier to pour and work into your baby's hair and scalp. PEG-150 distearate, polysorbate 20 and glycol are common emulsifier ingredients.
Preservative
Preservative ingredients prevent bacteria and mold from contaminating the shampoo. Using preservatives in baby shampoo is controversial as preservatives, especially quaternium-15, kills bacteria by releasing formaldehyde. This makes the widely used preservative ingredient a strong allergen, capable of causing a condition called contact dermatitis according to the North American Contact Dermatitis Group. Another less controversial preservative ingredient is citric acid.
Other Ingredients
Although listed as an "other" ingredient, water makes up the largest portion of baby shampoo. Most contain a minimum of 80 percent water. Manufacturers also add coloring dyes, fragrance, and a variety of natural oils and extracts to distinguish their shampoo and make it more appealing to you, the consumer.
Member Comments