Gentle Shampoo

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

shampoo & bodywash & conditioner

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Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Gentle Shampoo?

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NO - AVOID

Danger Score: 28 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: Gentle Shampoo contains 18 ingredients. 3 concerning, 7 caution. Concerning - Has Problematic Ingredients ⚠️ Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (18 found)

COCAMIDOPROPYL 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

PARFUM FRAGRANCE

🚨6/10

Premium Fragrance Oil is a vague term for fragrance blends that may contain allergens or irritants not disclosed. Fragrances often cause skin sensitivity in babies under 6 months.

Irritant - Fragrance mixtures often contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation, redness, or rashes, especially on sensitive baby skin.

Eczema - Fragrances are known triggers for eczema flare-ups and can worsen symptoms in babies with sensitive or atopic skin.

Asthma - Fragrance chemicals can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may worsen asthma or breathing issues in babies and children.

Hormones - Some fragrance ingredients, such as certain phthalates, are suspected endocrine disruptors that may interfere with hormone development.

Absorbed - Certain fragrance chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and detected in the bloodstream, raising concerns for systemic exposure.

Breast Milk - Some fragrance components, including phthalates, have been detected in breast milk, indicating they can pass from mother to baby.

Banned - Some fragrance ingredients are banned or restricted in the EU and other countries due to health concerns.

Builds Up - Certain fragrance chemicals, such as some phthalates and musks, can accumulate in the body over time with repeated exposure.

Long-Term Risk - Long-term exposure to some fragrance chemicals has been linked to chronic health effects, including hormone disruption and allergic diseases.

Confidence: HIGH

PEG150 DISTEARATE

🚨6/10

For newborns and infants (0-6 months) this ingredient is something to be careful with. On its own it is not flagged as highly dangerous, but there are worries about possible contaminants and there isn’t much safety testing specifically in babies.

Cancer - Safety reviews flag high contamination concerns for this ingredient. Small impurity molecules named in the ingredient record (ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane) are specifically listed as contaminants of concern by industry and regulatory safety reviews. Those contaminants are linked to cancer risk, so cancer is a real risk to note.

Long-Term Risk - The ingredient record shows a high contamination concern and also notes gaps in the safety assessment used by industry reviewers. Because the worry is about persistent impurities that can cause harm over time, there is a meaningful long‑term health risk if contaminated product is used repeatedly.

Banned - Industry and regulatory safety guidance place limits or restrictions on use of this ingredient and some product‑verification programs will not allow it without proof of safety. Those restrictions mean the ingredient is subject to heavy controls in certain programs and uses.

Confidence: MEDIUM

CARAMEL

⚠️5/10

Caramel is a coloring agent with limited safety data for infants under 6 months topical use avoid due to possible impurities

No Known Risk - Caramel, when used topically, is generally considered safe and does not have evidence linking it to skin irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other health risks in babies. There are no studies or regulatory warnings indicating topical caramel poses a risk to infants or children.

Confidence: MEDIUM

SODIUM MYRETH SULFATE

⚠️5/10

For newborns and babies (0-6 months) this ingredient is a common cleanser but can irritate delicate skin or eyes in some babies. The biggest worry comes from possible contamination during making the ingredient, not from long-term cancer or developmental risks.

Cancer - The ingredient data flags contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those impurities are linked to cancer risk when they are present in products, so the main worry is not the ingredient itself but these contaminant chemicals (listed in the ingredient data and noted in safety reviews).

Long-Term Risk - Because contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane is called out, there is a possible long-term health risk from repeated exposure. The ingredient record also shows safety-review gaps and limits on use, which means long-term safety is not fully settled (see Cosmetic Ingredient Review and the ingredient data notes).

Confidence: MEDIUM

AQUA WATER EAU

⚠️5/10

Aqua Water Eau is simply water, a common solvent in baby products. It is very safe and essential for formulation in shampoo and bodywash for babies.

Confidence: HIGH

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

MATRICARIA FLOWER EXTRACT

⚠️4/10

Chamomile flower extract is commonly used to calm and soothe skin. For newborns and babies 0–6 months it is usually low risk, but some babies can get skin allergies or irritation. Because baby skin is very delicate, it’s best to be careful.

No Known Risk - Major safety reviews find only low or unclear concerns. A cosmetic safety panel says this chamomile extract is generally safe in products when used with limits, and the European chemicals agency notes only limited evidence of skin allergy. A few small human studies and a review reported unclear (equivocal) findings for nerve or pregnancy effects, but the data are not strong. No health concern here is rated above low.

Confidence: MEDIUM

COCOGLUCOSIDE

⚠️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

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

AVOCADO FRUIT EXTRACT

✅3/10

Persea gratissima fruit extract is avocado extract used as moisturizer minor allergy risk in infants but generally safe in low concentrations

No Known Risk - Avocado extract is generally considered safe for topical use, including on sensitive baby skin. There is no credible evidence linking it to irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other health risks in babies based on current research.

Confidence: MEDIUM

BUTYLENE GLYCOL

✅3/10

Butylene glycol is usually safe and helps moisturize and texture products. For newborns and babies (0–6 months) the main worry is skin or eye irritation. Long-term risks are rated low, but babies can have very sensitive skin so extra care is needed.

Confidence: HIGH

CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA

✅3/10

Chamomile extract is generally safe but may cause rare allergic reactions in sensitive infants used for soothing and anti inflammatory effects

Confidence: MEDIUM

GLYCERYL CAPRYLATE

✅3/10

For infants (0–6 months): this ingredient is usually low risk in adults, but because newborn skin soaks up products more easily and there are notes from safety reviewers about possible hormone effects and increased absorption, it’s safer to be cautious with babies.

Confidence: MEDIUM

PERSEA GRATISSIMA

✅3/10

Persea Gratissima Oil is avocado oil used as an emollient minor risk of allergy but generally safe for baby skin in low concentrations

No Known Risk - Avocado oil is generally considered safe for topical use on babies. There is no strong evidence linking it to irritation, allergies, hormone disruption, or other health risks in infants. It is not banned or restricted, and is not associated with long-term or systemic health effects. As with any oil, rare allergic reactions are possible, but these are not common or specific to avocado oil.

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

POLYQUATERNIUM10

✅2/10

For newborns and babies (0-6 months): Polyquaternium-10 is usually considered low risk in rinse-off baby products like shampoos, but there is limited information specifically for very young infants. Because babies’ skin is more delicate, we stay cautious.

Confidence: MEDIUM

PANTHENOL

✅1/10

Panthenol (provitamin B5) is generally safe for infants and newborns. It helps moisturize and soothe baby skin and is rarely irritating. Studies and government reviews do not show it to be toxic when used on skin.

No Known Risk - Health and regulatory reviews (including Canadian and U.S. assessments and industry safety panels) find panthenol has no reported hazards above a low level for topical use. It is not expected to harm organs, does not appear to build up in the body or the environment, and common concerns (cancer, allergies, reproductive effects) were rated low. There are some industry notes about safe use levels and a few data gaps, but no higher-level health risks were identified.

Confidence: HIGH

Common Questions About Gentle Shampoo

Is this newborn-safe? Gentle Shampoo

Gentle Shampoo is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 18 ingredients in Gentle Shampoo. 3 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.