burt's bees BABY foaming shampoo & wash

shampoo & bodywash & conditioner • For 0-6 month old infants • Skin contact 🧴

shampoo & bodywash & conditioner

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burt's bees BABY foaming shampoo & wash - Front

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Ingredient List

burt's bees BABY foaming shampoo & wash - Ingredients

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Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use burt's bees BABY foaming shampoo & wash?

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NO - AVOID

Danger Score: 18 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: burt's bees BABY foaming shampoo & wash contains 17 ingredients. 2 concerning, 7 caution. Concerning - Has Problematic Ingredients ⚠️ Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (17 found)

phenoxyethanol

🚨7/10

For infants (0–6 months): be careful. This preservative can irritate delicate baby skin and some countries limit how it’s used. It is not known to cause cancer or birth defects at normal cosmetic levels, but irritation is the main concern.

Irritant - Official hazard listings show this chemical can cause skin, eye, and lung irritation. Regulators classify it as an irritant, so it can make skin red or itchy and bother the eyes or breathing passages.

Asthma - Because it can irritate the lungs, it may make asthma or breathing problems worse. Workplace and hazard listings note lung irritation and limits on inhalation exposure.

Organ Risk - There is limited evidence that it can affect the nervous system and it is listed as toxic/harmful in official hazard codes. That means repeated or high exposures could harm organs like the nervous system.

Absorbed - Safety reviews and workplace data note systemic effects tied to how it is used, and nervous-system findings suggest the chemical can get into the body after skin or workplace exposure.

Banned - Some governments set limits on its use in cosmetics (for example, concentration limits from national health authorities), and some product standards require special proof before it can be used.

Confidence: MEDIUM

coco-betaine

🚨6/10

For infants (0–6 months) this cleansing ingredient is commonly used in washes and wipes but should be used with care. It can sometimes irritate or cause allergic reactions, and some batches can carry trace contaminants. Babies’ skin is more delicate, so caution is advised.

Immune system - Cosmetic safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review and draft safety reports) report limited evidence that cocamidopropyl betaine can sensitize skin or trigger allergic reactions. That means it can affect the immune system in some people, especially those with sensitive skin.

Irritant - Industry safety assessments note limited evidence of skin sensitization and explicitly warn the ingredient may be unsafe in products left on the skin (not rinsed off). This shows it can cause redness, itching, or irritation for some users.

Eczema - Safety panels and reports observed cases of sensitization and recommend limits on use and product types. Because it can provoke skin reactions, it may trigger or worsen eczema in sensitive children.

Cancer - Regulatory and industry reviews flag contamination concerns for this ingredient, including nitrosamines and related amines. Nitrosamines are known to be carcinogenic, so impurity risks raise a cancer concern unless impurities are controlled as industry reviewers recommend.

Banned - Expert panels and tentative regulatory reports recommend use, concentration, and manufacturing restrictions for this ingredient and note it is unsafe in some product types (leave-on). While not universally banned, it is subject to regulatory or industry limits in some contexts.

Environmental - A national environmental agency (Environment Canada) flagged this ingredient as a suspected environmental toxin, indicating possible harm to ecosystems if released into the environment.

Confidence: MEDIUM

lecithin

⚠️5/10

For newborns and babies (0-6 months), lecithin is usually used as an ingredient to help creams and lotions spread. Many people tolerate it, but babies’ skin is delicate and there are signs that some people can have allergic reactions and that products can sometimes be contaminated. Because of that, it is safer to be cautious with lecithin on infant skin.

Immune system - A professional clinic group (AOEC) and published case reports show strong evidence that lecithin can act as an allergen or immune-system irritant in people. That means it can trigger allergic or immune reactions in some children, so watch for rashes, swelling, or breathing trouble.

Asthma - Experts report lecithin as a human respiratory toxicant or allergen (AOEC) and case studies show possible breathing-related reactions. This could make asthma or wheezy breathing worse in sensitive children.

Absorbed - A cosmetic industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) lists lecithin as a penetration enhancer, meaning it can help other substances get through the skin and into the body. That raises the chance that unwanted chemicals could be absorbed.

Cancer - The ingredient record flags contamination concerns — specifically nitrosamines — at a high level. Nitrosamines are known carcinogens, so contamination raises a potential cancer risk if products contain those impurities.

Environmental - A national agency review (Environment Canada) notes uncertainty about environmental toxicity for this substance. That means it could pose risks to wildlife or ecosystems, though the evidence is unclear.

Confidence: MEDIUM

ascorbyl palmitate

⚠️4/10

For newborns and infants (0-6 months) this ingredient is not well studied in babies. While it is often used as an antioxidant in grown-up skin products, a lab study found it can cause extra cell stress in skin cells when the skin is exposed to UV light. Because baby skin is thinner and more sensitive, it's safer to be cautious.

Sun Burn - A laboratory study found that this ingredient makes UV-B damage worse in skin cells, causing more fat breakdown and cell harm. That means skin could burn or be harmed more easily in sunlight (based on the cited lab study).

Irritant - The same lab research showed cell damage in skin cells (cytotoxicity) after exposure, which can lead to redness, irritation, or rashes on sensitive skin.

Long-Term Risk - Lab evidence shows the ingredient can make extra reactive oxygen species that can disturb cell signaling and cause mutations; the report notes this could be linked to long-term problems like heart disease, so there is a possible long-term health concern (based on the cited study).

Environmental - Canada's environmental agency flagged this substance as a suspected environmental toxin, meaning it may harm wildlife or ecosystems if released.

Confidence: MEDIUM

citric acid

⚠️4/10

For newborns and infants (0–6 months), citric acid is generally low risk for long‑term harm but can irritate sensitive baby skin or eyes. It is used to balance acidity in many products, but special care is needed for very young babies.

Banned - Health Canada has placed restrictions on the use, concentration, or manufacturing of citric acid in cosmetics in Canada. An industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) also says safe use depends on product concentration and notes data gaps, so makers must limit or document how they use it. Because of these government and industry limits, some safety-verification programs will not allow this ingredient in products without proof it is used safely.

Confidence: HIGH

coco-glucoside

⚠️4/10

Coco‑Glucoside is a gentle, plant‑based cleanser. For infants (newborns, babies 0–6 months) it is usually low risk when used at normal levels in baby shampoos and washes, but very young skin is more easily irritated or sensitized.

Immune system - Human patch-testing studies and case reports show that coco‑glucoside and related alkyl glucosides can cause allergic reactions in some people. Reviews and clinical reports (including a 2019 patch‑testing study and a 2014 case report, plus a 2004 review of alkyl polyglycosides) document possible immune/allergic effects.

Eczema - There are published clinical cases of allergic contact dermatitis tied to alkyl glucosides, meaning this ingredient can trigger or worsen eczema‑like skin reactions in sensitive individuals (reported in a 2014 case report and supported by later patch‑testing findings).

Confidence: HIGH

glyceryl oleate

⚠️4/10

Glyceryl oleate is usually used to make creams and lotions feel smooth. For newborns and infants (0–6 months) it is generally okay in small amounts, but it has been reported to irritate skin or eyes in some people. Because babies’ skin is very delicate, use products with this ingredient only if they are made for babies.

Irritant - A safety review panel found strong human evidence that this ingredient can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs. That means it can cause redness, stinging, or discomfort on sensitive baby skin or if it gets in the eyes or is inhaled during use (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review).

Eczema - Because the ingredient is a confirmed skin irritant, it can trigger or make eczema and similar rashes worse in children with sensitive skin. The same safety review cited clear human irritation evidence that supports this risk (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review).

Asthma - The ingredient has been reported to cause lung irritation in people. That lung irritation can make breathing problems or asthma symptoms worse in children who are sensitive or already have asthma (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review).

Environmental - A government environmental review flagged this substance as a suspected environmental toxin. That means it may pose harms to wildlife or aquatic life if released into the environment (source: Environment Canada).

Confidence: MEDIUM

potassium sorbate

⚠️4/10

For newborns and infants (0–6 months), potassium sorbate is usually low risk for causing illness systemically, but it can cause skin allergies or irritation. Babies have very delicate skin, so we are extra careful with this ingredient.

Immune system - A cosmetic safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) found strong evidence that potassium sorbate can cause allergic reactions in human skin. That means some children could have immune system responses (contact allergy) if their skin touches products with this ingredient.

Irritant - A safety assessment by a cosmetic review panel lists potassium sorbate as a human skin toxicant or allergen. This supports a real risk of skin redness, itching, or rashes when used on sensitive or damaged skin.

Eczema - Because this ingredient is shown to be a skin allergen, it can trigger or make eczema and similar skin conditions worse in people who are sensitive.

Confidence: HIGH

propanediol

⚠️4/10

For newborns and babies (0-6 months) propanediol is not usually thought to be highly toxic, but it can make skin absorb other things more and has been linked to skin irritation in some studies. Because babies’ skin is very delicate, I recommend being cautious.

Irritant - Propanediol has been linked to skin, eye, or lung irritation. It is listed as a skin irritant by the U.S. National Library of Medicine, and both the European chemical regulator and a cosmetics safety review report limited evidence of irritation. This means it can cause redness, itching or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin.

Absorbed - Propanediol is noted as a penetration enhancer by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. That means it can help itself or other ingredients move through the skin and into the body, increasing the chance of absorption into the bloodstream.

Confidence: MEDIUM

sodium PCA

✅3/10

For newborns and babies 0–6 months: Sodium PCA is a common ingredient that helps skin stay hydrated. It is usually low risk, but because babies’ skin is delicate and there are notes about possible contamination, it’s better to be cautious.

Confidence: MEDIUM

tocopherol

✅3/10

For newborns and babies (0–6 months): tocopherol (vitamin E) is usually low risk when used in small amounts on the skin, but baby skin is very delicate. There are some safety notes about possible contamination and a rare chance of skin allergy, so take extra care with infants and newborns.

Confidence: MEDIUM

disodium cocoyl glutamate

✅2/10

For newborns and babies (0–6 months), this is generally a gentle cleansing ingredient with low safety concerns in adults, but babies’ skin is more sensitive and there’s limited data for this exact age. Use caution.

No Known Risk - A professional cosmetics review found this ingredient safe for use in personal care products when used in normal amounts. A European chemical agency noted only limited evidence of eye irritation, and overall expert reviews rate health concerns as low. Because experts consider the risks minor at typical use levels, there are no meaningful risks for children when the ingredient is used as intended.

Confidence: MEDIUM

glycerin

✅2/10

For newborns and infants (0–6 months): glycerin is a common, mild moisturizer found in many baby lotions and wipes. When used at normal levels in products made for babies, it is usually safe and well tolerated.

Confidence: HIGH

hydrogenated palm glycerides citrate

✅2/10

For infants (0–6 months): this ingredient is generally low-risk when used in small amounts in products made for babies. Newborn skin is delicate, so we are extra careful even when data show low concerns.

No Known Risk - Available safety reviews for this topical ingredient report only low-level concerns across cancer, allergy/immune, reproductive/developmental, and use-restriction categories, and no other hazard flags are listed. In other words, current ingredient assessments do not identify meaningful health risks for typical topical use.

Confidence: MEDIUM

sodium cocoyl glutamate

✅2/10

For newborns and infants (0–6 months), this ingredient is generally considered safe when used in gentle, rinse-off baby cleansers. The main concern is mild irritation, especially if it gets into the eyes, because baby skin and eyes are very sensitive.

No Known Risk - Independent cosmetic safety reviewers and a European chemical regulator evaluated this ingredient. They found it safe for use in cosmetics with some limits, said it is not likely to cause cancer, and noted only small, limited signs of eye or skin irritation. No higher-level health concerns were identified.

Confidence: HIGH

sodium chloride

✅1/10

For infants and newborns (0-6 months) this ingredient is generally safe when used in the small amounts found in baby wipes, creams, and saline drops. It is the same simple salt used in food and is not considered toxic in these low amounts.

No Known Risk - Regulatory reviews flag no meaningful health hazards for topical use. Food and health authorities list it as safe for limited use, and environmental assessments find it unlikely to harm organs, build up in the body, or damage wildlife. Overall expert sources rate concerns as low across cancer, allergies, development, and use restrictions.

Confidence: HIGH

water

✅0/10

Water is very safe for a newborn’s or baby’s skin. Tests and regulatory reviews find no meaningful health risks from water used on the skin.

No Known Risk - Regulatory reviews (Environment Canada) find plain water is not expected to be toxic, not bioaccumulative, and not an environmental toxin. Safety summaries list no concerns above a low level for organ harm, reproductive effects, or other long‑term risks for topical use, so no specific health risks are identified for use on skin.

Confidence: HIGH

Common Questions About burt's bees BABY foaming shampoo & wash

Is this newborn-safe? burt's bees BABY foaming shampoo & wash

burt's bees BABY foaming shampoo & wash is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 17 ingredients in burt's bees BABY foaming shampoo & wash. 2 concerning, 7 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

When can newborns start using shampoo & bodywash & conditioner?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

⚠️ Important Disclaimers

Product Recognition: Product names are identified programatically and may be incorrect. Always verify product identity yourself.

Safety Analysis: Evaluations are for research only - consult pediatricians for medical decisions. Do not rely solely on this analysis.

No Guarantees: Results may be incomplete or inaccurate. Do not rely solely on this analysis.