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Apr

13

SafeMama’s 2009 Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet

Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Eco-Mama, Phthalates Info, Skin Care, Toy Safety, paraben free | Comments Off

sunscreenIt was high time to redo last year’s Safer Sunscreen Showdown.. spring is here and summer is around the corner!  So here’s the scoop:

SafeMama™ Sunscreen Criteria: All sunscreens we approved needed to be free of parabens, phthalates, PEG’s, propylene glycol, SLS, dioxanes, and synthetic fragrances. Another ingredient we watch out for is the synthetic chemical oxybenzone.  Oxybenzone is an endocrine disruptor which can affect the nervous system, has been linked to cancer in some laboratory studies, and creates free-radicals when exposed to the sun which are harmful.  Below are our selections of safer natural sunscreens that use mineral (or sometimes referred to a physical) sunscreen which is typically Zinc Oxide or Titanium Dioxide or any combination of those two.

A note about the Skin Deep ratings. Their ratings are a good start, but take them with a grain of salt.   They have a big job over there and sometimes formulas change and their information gets a little outdated.  Which is why we stress learning to read the labels!  Concerning sunscreen, the EWG’s Skin Deep published a sunscreen guide last year and while we generally respect the research and efforts of EWG, we don’t agree 100% with their top picks.  For example the top choice on their Top 10 list is Blue Lizard without oxybenzone, but all Blue Lizard products contain multiple parabens, Propylene Glycol and PEG’s not to mention the giant list of chemical ingredients on every label.  So, again… read labels and don’t just take anyone’s word for it.

* A note about Micronized and Nano:  This is a controversial topic and there have been many reports that micronized vs. nano particles of titanium or zinc oxide have the ability to pass through the skin more easily (which is why they aren’t as white as others). There is also a concern that nano titanium/zinc dioxide particles have higher photo-reactivity than coarser particles and may generate free radicals that can cause cell damage. Some manufacturers have addressed this issue by coating the particles to prevent free radical formation.  We have listed the exact active ingredient in each sunscreen for a reason.  So you as a consumer can decide which is right for you.  We will continue to investigate these materials further and share with you our findings.  We are comfortable recommending sunscreens with Micronized zinc or titanium (most natural sunscreens ARE) NANO zinc or titamium is something we feel should be avoided if possible.  (Follow up article on this topic coming soon)

These are NOT in order of recommendation… this is a random list.

Mama Rose’s Naturals Sunblocker All Natural Sunscreen

sunblocker

Protection: SPF 30, SPF 50
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (inquiring further information)
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $15.00 – 18.00

Notes: Seems to be chemical free, comes in an SPF 50 which is the highest natural sunscreen SPF we’ve seen.  Available online through the companies website.

TruKid Sunny Days Everyday Mineral Sunscreen

trukidlotion

Protection: SPF 30+
Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium Dioxide 10%
Skin Deep Rating: 1 (last updated 3/08)
Price: ~ $12.49

Reviews: Kathy says “TruKid Sunscreen smells great (like oranges) and isn’t sticky at all.” Statia says “It smells great and absorbs perfectly.”

TruKid Sunny Days Face Stick

trukidstick

Protection: SPF 30+
Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium Dioxide 8%
Skin Deep Rating: 0 (last updated 3/08)
Price: ~ $8.99
Reviews: Kathy says “I carry one of these in my bag for those ‘oops I forgot’ moments or unexpected uses.  I rub a little on faces and cheeks for quick protection.  Makes getting tops of ears and noses easy too…stays on well.  ”

Weleda Children’s Sun Screen

weledaProtection: SPF 18
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 7.6%, Zinc Oxide 0.4%
Skin Deep Rating: 4 (last updated 6/08)
Price: ~ $14.00

Reviews: Statia Says: “Neither of us has tried this sunscreen yet, however by the ingredients listed, we feel it makes the list and is considered one of the safer sunscreens out there.”

JASON Cosmetics Chemical Free Sunblock (Sunbrella’s version too)

jason1Protection: SPF 30+
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide (8.0%), Zinc Oxide (2.5%)
Skin Deep Rating: 1 (last updated 12/08)
Price: ~ $12.49

Reviews: Kathy Says: “I really liked the way this goes on, and the scent is beachy, not chemical smelling.  It reminds me of old school Coppertone.  I use this on myself too. “

Badger All Natural Sunscreen for Face & Body

badger30Protection: SPF 30+ / SPF 15
Active Ingredient: Micronized Zinc Oxide 20.5% (read this)
Skin Deep Rating SPF 30: 1 (last updated 03/07) SPF 15: 2 (last updated 03/07)

Price: ~ $14.00
Reviews: Kathy says, “I had heard Badger sunscreen was like spreading toothpaste, but I’ve got to say that totally isn’t the case at all.  Goes on thick (like any natural sunscreen) but spreads really easily, doesn’t have an overpowering smell and really protects nicely.  One of my new favorites!  Badger says its naturally water resistant and I’d have to agree.  One of the few that are 100% chemical free.” Read our full review here!

Notes: For extra protection, choose Badger Lip Balm SPF 15 – safe for you and the kids.

Soleo Organics Chemical Free Sunscreen

soleoProtection: SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 22.3%
Skin Deep Rating: 0 (last updated 03/08)
Price: ~ $9 – $23.00

Reviews: Coming Soon

California Baby Everyday/Year-Round™ Sunscreen

cababyProtection: SPF 30+ (Also avail. in SPF 18)
Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium Dioxide
Skin Deep Rating SPF 30: 1 (last updated 03/07) Skin Deep Rating SPF 18:  2 (last updated 03/07)
Price: ~ $17.99 – 19.99 No fragrance: $17.00 – 19.00 With Citronella: $19.00 – 25.00

Reviews: Kathy Says: “CA Baby SPF 30 goes on thick and works well but it’s sticky.”

Statia Says: “We have the bug blend and it goes on well, not as sticky, but it has a strong smell.”

Variations: These come in a No Fragrance version and a Citronella version (which Kathy can never find)

California Baby Everyday/Year-Round™ Sunblock Stick

cababystickProtection: SPF 30+
Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium Dioxide
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $14.99

Burt’s Bees Chemical Free Sunscreen (w/ or w/o Hemp Seed Oil)

burts2Protection: SPF 30+ (Also avail. in SPF 15)
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide (8.58%) (EWG claims it’s Nano Titanium Dioxide)
Skin Deep Rating SPF 30:  3 (last updated 06/08) SPF 15:  3 (last updated 06/08)
Price: ~ $9.99 – 11.00

Reviews: Statia Says: “I wasn’t really that impressed with this stuff.  It was immediately cakey upon contact with the skin, and yet, I still felt  really sticky.  I felt gross all day.”

Kathy says, “I made friends with the SPF 30 version… it is a little tough to get on but it protects like the rest.  It’s not my first choice, but it works.”

Erbaviva Natural Children’s Sunscreen

erbavivaProtection: SPF 15
Active Ingredient: Micronized* Titanium Dioxide
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $26.00

Reviews: Kathy says, ” This sunscreen blends in wonderfully and there is no over powering scent whatsoever – great for faces too.” Full review here.

SuperGoop Dr. T’s Quickstick

Protection: SPF 30
Active Ingredient: Titanium Dioxide 8%,  Zinc Oxide 5%
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $9.00
Important Editor’s Note:  This is the only SuperGoop product we feel comfortable recommending.  The other sunscreen’s and products they offer contain Avobenzone, Octinoxate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Padimate O, Propylene Glycol, PEG’s, and several parabens which of course are ingredients we adamantly avoid.  We listed the Quickstick as an option but if we had to choose, we’d opt to support companies who have made a commitment to safer skin care in general.

Kabana Skin Care Green Screen

greenscreenspf20Protection: SPF 20
Active Ingredient: Zinc Oxide 25%
Skin Deep Rating: N/A
Price: ~ $16.50 40z.
Company Website: KabanaSkinCare.com

Notes: Made from 8 edible-grade organic and natural ingredients and uses non-nano Zinc Oxide for protection.  This only has an SPF of 20 (also available in tinted SPF 22 and SPF 15) but it a great option as far as safe ingredients go.  We’re anxious to give it a try.

Notes: For extra protection, choose their Liplovers™ Natural Lip Balm with 10% Zinc Oxide sunscreen protection  – safe for you and the kids.

Sunscreen Usage and Sun Tips

Follow the directions on the sunscreen you use for proper sun protection. However, our motto is “everything in moderation”.  This means sun exposure too of course.  It’s ok to be out in the sun for 20 minutes without covering every square inch of your kid with SPF 80. Sun exposure is good for us, (Vitamin D!), and it’s been studied that people – especially kids -  with regular moderate time in the sun are healthier and may have less risk of developing conditions like Multiple Sclerosis or other auto-immune deficiencies.  But sunburns are not good, so choose a safe sunscreen and apply according to the directions for days when extended sun exposure is on the docket!

When the option is available, use hats, cotton clothing or use the shade of umbrellas to avoid too much sun exposure. No need to bake in the sun all day… keep cool and stay in the shade!  Investing in some SPF Protected clothing for the kids is a good idea too.  Reduces the need for so much sunscreen and can have a UVB protection of up to 50.  Snapper Rock makes great SPF Swimwear for kids.  We also like Baby Banz Sun Hats for baby and kids… they also have a wide brimmed bucket hat with an Ultraviolet Protection Factor rating of 50+.  The wide brim helps keep sun off kids faces.

After Sun Soothers

I got the idea to include these after a day at the beach on Easter Sunday (I know, I know… my mom already told me it was 30 degrees in New York, I swear I’m not trying to rub it in!) when we were in the sun for a particularly long day.  I sometimes use after sun lotions or balms to hydrate my skin.  A few I like:

Badger Balm Bali Balm. We’ve never tried it but it’s an organic balm designed just for after sun exposure. Cocoa and Shea Butters, with Olive and Jojoba to make a soothing body balm good for after sun, or for dry skin. Has a tropical scent! made completely with natural and organic ingredients.. not a synthetic ingredient in the bunch. We love Badger!

Burt’s Bees After Sun Lotion with Aloe, Linden Extract and nourishing Coconut Oil. This has a really fresh scent and feels great on hot skin.  I actually put this in the fridge before I leave so it’s extra cold.  Like with many of the Burt’s Bees products this isn’t 100% natural (or organic for that matter but it’s easy to find in stores.

Enjoy the outdoors!  Be sure to check out our Safer Bug Repellent Report for safe choices to keep the buggies at bay.

Download our Sunscreen Wallet Card for easy shopping!

Oct

23

SafeMama Pocket Diaper Comparison

Filed Under Cloth Diapering, Eco-Mama, Green Mama, Safe Mama Tips | Comments Off

When my son was first born, there was no way on earth you would even have gotten me to consider cloth diapering. And in my mind, cloth diapering was something that was done in the “olden” days. It seemed like a big hassle and I couldn’t see the costs outweighing the benefits.

But as my son started to get chronic eczema, I started to look for an alternative. And I realized that there are so many options aside of your standard prefold diaper. Although, a lot of people still swear by them. But for me, it just seemed to be a bit more hassle than I had the patience for. Since I got into the cloth diapering scene when my son was a little older, I settled on experimenting with pocket diapers.

Pocket diapers are pretty easy to use. You have an outer layer consisting of a water resistant fabric, with an inner layer resting against your babys skin that is usually microfleece (which wicks moisture away from the skin), however, there’s also velour and other fabrics that are used. Imagine having a nice organic velour next to your butt? Yes, please. In between these layers is a pocket that fits what’s called an insert. Inserts are generally made out of microterry, hemp, or a french terry. Inserts generally contain many layers for absorbency. It takes a little while to find a system that works for you, but once you do, it’s pretty efficient. And you become fond of baby bubble butt. I’ve given quite a few diapers a whirl, so I figured I’d share my thoughts with you.

Fuzzi Bunz: This was the first diaper that I tried. To be fair, I used the old style, which has since been replaced by a one size diaper, so I’m not sure how the new one stands up, but the original one I think, was one that you either loved or you hated. The insert, a microterry fleece, wasn’t overly absorbent, the snaps to adjust the legs and waist didn’t work for my son. They either made the diaper too tight or too loose. I know that there are people who swear by their Fuzzi Bunz, but I wasn’t overly impressed with them. Again, the newer version might be completely different.

Swaddlebees: Because I was still experimenting, I purchased both aplix (velcro) and snap versions of Swaddlebees. After Fuzzi Bunz and I decided we weren’t friends, I was dead set against snaps. After using aplix, I was dead set against velcro. Swaddlebees are a great, well made diaper. They fit my son well. The microterry inserts are more than absorbent enough to last through about 2-2.5 hours. There are two things that I don’t like about these: They’re very thick and bulky and while I like the feel of the velour, it’s also heavy and doesn’t wick away moisture. It’s luxurious, though.

Bum Genius 3.0: Bum Genius is one of the most popular one size pocket diapers. And I can see why. They’re well made. They come with an adjustable insert as well, and the insert is actually pretty absorbent. We had one of those moments the other day where we looked at each other and said “did you change him recently?” I was surprised that he didn’t leak through. And yet the diaper is still trimmer than most pocket diapers. As with most one size diapers, you can adjust the rise on the diaper via snaps, so you can use this diaper on your itty bitty newborn, as well as on your linebacker toddler. I held off on trying this one for so long for a multitude of reasons. But I have to say, I’m impressed. I can understand why Bum Genius fans push people to drink the Kool-Aid. The only thing I will say, is that I wish they came with a side snap option for people who prefer snaps.

Drybees: Drybees are the last diaper in the stash that I reach for. It’s not a bad diaper, it’s just the design, though standard looking, is a bit bulky and puffy. And one thing about cloth diapering, is that you’re going to be hard pressed to find something as slim as a disposable. That’s just the way it goes for cloth. These seem as though there’s a lot of excess fabric (i.e. these are probably really good if you have a meaty baby). For these, we use a thirsties insert, and they work fine, but I have to size up my son’s pants when using these. And the velcro hasn’t held up as well as other velcro diapers. I usually save these for the hot days where I don’t have to put pants on my son, and a diaper will suffice just fine.

Green Acre Designs: Green Acre Designs are one of my favorite diapers. A lot of people raved about these diapers, and in the underground diapering world, they seem to have a big following, but otherwise, not that many people know about them. They’re well constructed and while they’re not one size (a drawback if you’re looking to only have to make one big purchase and not have to buy more everytime your child outgrows them), they do have a decent amount of stretch, so you will be able to use the larger sizes for much longer. The snaps are on the side, which is good if you have a kid who has a fondness for ripping their diaper off. I’m not a fan of the inserts she makes, so we use a knickernappies “loopy-do” insert, which I absolutely love. It’s trim and yet it holds a lot.

Whamies: I really like the concept of this diaper. I think we’ve established that I’m not a fan of velcro. I will use it, but they create a big mess if you forget to fasten the tabs down before you put them in the wash. So when I saw a diaper that had hooks, I was all for trying it out. The concept of the diaper is pretty much the same as the rest. It’s one size, which again, is nice if you’re trying to save money and resources. It has four hooks and loops all around to find the perfect adjustment for your baby. The diaper isn’t going anywhere once it’s fastened. The one caveat to this is that it’s sort of tricky to get the hang of. This is a diaper that I’d probably try out in the beginning when your baby is an infant and isn’t going to be going anywhere. I tried this out on my toddler a few times and he got rather impatient with me for taking so long on getting the hooks fastened. His impatience brought my anxiety levels up, which made it more difficult to use. Again. There is nothing wrong with this diaper, I love it, but I’ll leave this one to my husband to take care of.

Blueberry Diapers: Blueberry diapers are similar in style to Swaddlebees in my opinion. This isn’t a bad thing. I do like the insert flap a little better on these over most as they tend to not bunch up like a lot of them do. There’s nothing more embarrassing to a toddler than having an insert hanging out of their pants, now is there? These are easy to use, and come in a lot of fun and cute designs, including minky, which is apparently the holy grail of pocket diapers. My son personally doesn’t own any minky in his stash, but I hear they’re very nice. The insert it comes with is a split insert, which is also really nice, because they seem to be more absorbent and also dry much faster. The other thing I like is that they also come in one size AND have a snap option as well as velcro. I like when there are more options.

Knickernappies: The knickernappies “Disposanot” diaper may have a funny name, but it’s another one of my choice diapers. It’s trimmer than a lot, and it’s also got side snaps which is a nice thing if your child has a knack for undoing diapers. When I first purchased one of these, they were a little bigger in the leg, so I had to wait to start using them, but once I was able to use one, I really liked the way it looked under pants. That’s my biggest test when buying a diaper, how will my son’s pants fit? These are similar in style to my favorite Green Acre Designs, but again, a little trimmer. They also run a little big bigger, which might be good if you’re looking to get a little longer use out of them.

So there’s my very lengthy rundown of all of the pocket diapers I’ve tried. It’s not every single brand out there, but it’s quite a few. If you’re looking to switch to cloth diapers, here are a few tips that might help you make the switch easier.

  • Purchase a few different brands and styles. If you have a hundred bucks or so, research what might work best for you and purchase one of each. You can also look on sites like diaperpin.com to see if anyone has diapers you’re looking for for sale or for trade. Some are gently used, but this can be a good thing. They still have plenty of use left in them, you save money, AND they’re most likely already primed.
  • Prime your diapers. Technically your inserts. Most diapers only need a wash or two before use, but the inserts might need to be primed (sometimes 5 or 6 times depending on the insert) in hot water and dried repeatedly before they’re absorbent enough. And subsequent washings makes them continually more absorbent. You can also boil them depending on the type of insert to help speed up the process.
  • Always read the care instructions of your diapers. Cloth diapers are an investment, and if you want them to last, you need to take care of them properly. Most pocket diapers are made with the same material, but there are many other types of diapers and if you take care of them properly, they should last you through multiple children.
  • Use a proper detergent. Now that you’ve read the care instructions, simple Tide won’t do. Not to mention, Tide, ew. Even detergents like Dreft, can cause a build up on diapers. My personal preference is Charlie’s Soap, but there are quite a few natural and eco-friendly brands that work great on diapers.

Got any other tips? Contact us and we’ll be happy to add them.

Oct

7

What is Melamine? A Crash Course

Filed Under Product Safety, melamine | Comments Off

Lead is so 2007.  This year it’s all about Melamine.  All the cool kids are worrying about it. First it was found in dog food, then baby formula, then Mr. Brown coffee and now, the FDA is recalling Blue Cat Flavor Drinks.  We’ve gotten a lot of questions about melamine dishware in the past weeks and we’ve been trying to find as much useful information as possible. Here’s what we know.

Melamine is an organic compound that is often combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a synthetic polymer which is fire resistant and heat tolerant. Melamine resin is a very versatile material with a highly stable structure. Uses for melamine include whiteboards, floor tiles, kitchenware, fire retardant fabrics, and commercial filters.

Melamine resin is manufactured by mixing urea with formaldehyde under heat and pressure. The substances begin to polymerize and are forced into a mold which will create the desired shape.  The materials finish polymerizing and create a finished product, melamine resin.  This resin is what is used in many kitchen items.

We uncovered (Thanks for finding this Jaime!) a report from the National Toxicology Program that states,

Melamine resin, a hard thermosetting polymer made from melamine and formaldehyde, is widely used in the US in the form of kitchenware, including plates, bowls, mugs and utensils. Reports in the literature indicate that some kitchenware based on melamine resin leach considerable amounts of melamine monomer. A migration of up to 2.5 mg melamine/ 100 cm2 was observed under conditions that simulate an exposure to hot acidic foods…

I’m sure with enough digging we’ll find that any migration that occurs is low and “suitable for public safety”, especially if you ask the FDA.  But I am just not comfortable with melamine resin or formaldehyde leaching into my kids food when I take such care to give him something healthy.  The NTP confirms that more research is needed.

Healthy Child Healthy Word’s Janelle Sorensen found some interesting and disturbing information regarding melamine as well and has changed her position on using it for kids.  Please check out her latest article on Melamine here.  The Soft Landing posted some great info on Melamine yesterday too, read that here.  She brings up another good point: Melamine isn’t recyclable. Boo!

At SafeMama, we like to sway on the side of safety (even though some of you think we’re just trying to make your life difficult) but we don’t take chances when it comes to kids.  So for now, we don’t feel comfortable recommending Melamine dishware.  If you have some, there are a couple things you can do to limit exposure to chemical leaching:

  • Don’t microwave, boil or otherwise heat melamine dishware or utensils, ever.
  • Hand wash all melamine in warm water with mild soap.
  • Ditch ‘em (or use them for something other than food) and opt for a safer material like bamboo, stainless steel, or BPA-free plastic (same heat rules apply here though, no microwave, hand wash)

I can hear you screaming at me already… “Are you kidding me?  If its not one thing its another.  Just when I thought I was doing the right thing its the wrong thing.  Maybe I should just move into a CAVE and eat off the ground!“  That wasn’t you?  Oh that’s right, it was me saying it to myself.

Before you freak out on me: We’ve compiled a new SafeMama Cheat Sheet of Safer Dishware to aide you in choosing dishes for your wee ones!  It’s a new list and it will grow so check back for new additons.

Oct

6

SafeMama’s Safer Dishware Cheat Sheet: BPA, PVC & Phthalate Free Dishes

Filed Under ** Cheat Sheets!, Bisphenol-A, PVC Free, Product Safety | Comments Off

We’ve gotten the request for a cheat sheet for dishware so here is our list of favorites. We made sure all the items listed are free of Bisphenol-A, PVC and Phthalates and we listed as much of a diverse selection as possible for those who are looking for alternatives to plastic we made sure to include options for you too. Note: There is no melamine dishware on this list. You can read why here. (Last Updated: June 3, 2009)

Plates, Dishes, Bowls, Cups

Utensils

  • Bambu Kids Organic Bamboo Utensils
  • TreBimbi Dinnerware Utensils
  • Munchkin: Soft-Tip Infant Spoons,
  • Boon: Benders Fork & Spoon, Modware Utensils, Squirt (new version)
  • IKEA: Kalas 18 Piece Cutlery set
  • SteadyCo: Cutlery
  • Williams Sonoma: Kids Stainless Flatware
  • One Step Ahead: My Very Own Flatware stainless steel (3 and up)
  • Gerber: Graduates Kiddy kutlery, Graduates, Tossables, Scoopin’ Spoons, Safety Fork and Spoon
  • ThinkBaby Utensils
  • Preserve Tableware
  • Oneida baby flatware
  • Dandelion Natural Feeding Utensils

Snack Containers

Lunchboxes, Food Containers

Wait! You can also find a more comprehensive list of our Safer Lunchbox Picks located here.

Have a product you think belongs on this list? Let us know! Please link back to SafeMama.com if you share this so we can keep this site going! Thanks!

Take the headache out of no-toxic shopping by visiting our friends at The Soft Landing. Use coupon code “SF-10″ for 10% Off!. They have a safer Dish and Cup Guide as well. Have a look.

Jul

7

SafeMama Report: Safer Bug Repellents!

Filed Under Product Reviews, Product Safety, Skin Care | Comments Off

This has been requested a zillion times and I’ve kept promising it will go up. Here it is finally! Our recommendations for safer bug repellents. It’s probably not a shock that products containing DEET, are not on our recommended list. DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide) is a widely used active ingredient in insect repellents. Biting insects are attracted to the scent of carbon dioxide gas to find food… in this case, your blood. Skin and breath naturally give off carbon dioxide. DEET masks the scent of carbon dioxide therefore keeping buggies away.

HOWEVER… DEET can act as an irritant, and has been reported to be the cause of seizures, insomnia, mood disturbances and impaired cognitive function. The American Academy of Pediatrics still stands by its safety on children over 2 months old. A brief encounter with DEET might not cause any harm, but long term exposure may. DEET is certainly effective but if DEET gives you the heebs then there are natural alternatives that work just as well to mask carbon dioxide and keep those pests away.

The main ingredients in natural bug repellents rely on oils, most notably citronella, soybean oil, geraniol (oil of geranium), eucalyptus, cedar, rosemary, eucalyptus and sometimes lemon oil. I’ve scoured the stores and the Internet for some better choices and here is what I came up with.

SafeMama Criteria: Products had to be free of DEET, parabens, phthalates, PEG’s, Sufates, Dioxanes, Propylene Glycols, and synthetic fragrances. We have tested a handful of these products and they do work for general kid and adult use. (Note: I went ahead and included any Skin Deep ratings that were available. However, some haven’t been reviewed for accuracy since 2006.)

Sprays & Lotions

Burt’s Bees Herbal Insect Repellent
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Rosemary Oil, Lemongrass Oil, Cedar Oil
Kathy Says: This works better than most I have tried. It smells great too. The only drawback is that the “spray” is not really a spray at all. It comes out in oil form and you have to rub it all over the place to get good coverage. But again, works really well at keeping away bites.
Skin Deep Rating: 0

Bite Blocker® Herbal Spray
Bite Blocker® Herbal Lotion
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil
Kathy Says: This brand also comes in a lotion and wipes, both of which pass our SafeMama criteria. However we haven’t yet had a chance to test them out. Check out their website for effectiveness information. I will be reviewing these in the coming weeks and will update accordingly.
Skin Deep Rating: 2

Jason Quit Bugging Me – Natural Insect Repellent Spray
Main Ingredients: Soy Bean Oil, Geranium
Kathy Says: This comes in a great little spray bottle and goes on evenly. But be careful not to get in the eyes (like all of them), I just caution it here because it tends to mist when sprayed and I’ve gotten it in my own eyes trying to cover my kid. This works pretty well, not as well as others though. The smell is not my favorite either. My mother commented it smelled like wet gym socks. I do like how it sprays on and doesn’t sit on skin like an oil.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A

Buzz Away Extreme™ Natural Insect Repellent
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Geranium Oil, Castor Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Citronella Oil, Peppermint Oil, Lemongrass Oil
Kathy Says: This stuff I do like, comes in a great spray. It sprays on a little oily. This stuff claims 8 hour protection but my son still got bit wearing it after an hour or so, so I don’t know if 8 hours is an accurate assumption. I’d still reapply every few hours to be covered. The towelettes are cool but for $8+ you only get 12. Compared to Bit Blocker Wipes, which is about the same price you get 25.
Skin Deep Rating: 0 – 1 (there are two listings)

Aubrey Organic’s Gone! Safe and Natural Outdoor Spray SPF 10 4oz*
Main Ingredients: Padimate O (PABA Ester), Natural Grain Alcohol, Vegetable Glycerin, Organic Soybean Oil
Kathy Says: If this wasn’t made by Aubrey Organics I might be more skeptical. I’m including this because they take great care to provide safe sun and outdoor protection. But they use PABA which some people avoid.
Skin Deep Rating: 7 (Due to the PABA content this rates pretty high.. interesting)

allthingsjill-bug-sprayAll Things Jill Bug Joose Outdoor Spray

Main Ingredients: Witch Hazel, Essential oils of cedarwood, lavender, rosemary, eucalyptus, pine, lemongrass & citronella (all organic)
Kathy Says: I haven’t tried this but I love the All Things Jill company and they use organic ingredients when possible.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A

California Baby® Natural Bug Blend™ Bug Repellent Spray
California Baby® Citronella Summer Lotion
Main Ingredients: Citronella, lemongrass and cedar essential oils
Kathy Says: These both work well and don’t smell too strong. I prefer the spray, it’s easier than applying lotions. They are both gentle and haven’t caused any reactions. However these are both hard to find in stores at the moment.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A

Balms

badgerstickAnti-Bug Push-Up – 1.5 oz – Stick
Main Ingredients: Citronella Oil (5.0%), Cedar Oil (2.0%), Lemongrass Oil (2.0%), Rosemary Oil (1.0%), & Geranium Oil (1.0%)
Kathy Says: I LOVE this bug balm.  I never thought a balm would be enough coverage but I found this at my local grocery store and picked it up.  The balm in the push up stick is great and the balm goes on smooth and you can easily cover exposed areas quickly.  It works to boot.  I really love Badger’s commitment to natural and organic ingredients.  Thumbs up!!
Skin Deep Rating: 0

Wipes

Bite Blocker® Herbal Wipes
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil
Kathy Says: This brand also comes in a lotion and spray, both of which pass our SafeMama™ criteria. However we haven’t yet had a chance to test them out. Check out their website for effectiveness information. I will be reviewing these in the coming weeks and will update accordingly.
Skin Deep Rating: N/A

Buzz Away Insect Repellent Towelettes
Main Ingredients: Soybean Oil, Geranium Oil, Castor Oil, Cedarwood Oil, Citronella Oil, Peppermint Oil, Lemongrass Oil
Kathy Says: The towelettes are nice, and work well but for $8+ you only get 12. Compared to Bit Blocker Wipes, which is about the same price you get 25.
Skin Deep Rating: 0 – 1 (there are two listings)

Non-Spray Repellents

DEET Free Bug Band
Main Ingredients: Geranium Oil, Polypropylene plastic band
Kathy Says: This wristband is great for kids and can be stored for future use. Geraniol is a great natural repellent. People with perfume allergies may have trouble with this one since its about 20% Geraniol. But if you have a perfume allergy you may have problems with any natural repellent since they rely heavily on scents. NOTE: This company makes wipes and a spray as well, but I didn’t include them due to them containing Sodium Laureth Sulfates in the ingredients.

Don’t Bite Me Patch
Main Ingredients: Vitamin B1
Kathy Says: Unlike the other repellents, this patch uses Vitamin B1 instead of fragrant oils. B1 when excreted from the skin will mask the scent of carbon dioxide (which is what the bugs are attracted to). By applying the patch to the skin directly, rather than taking a vitamin, is the faster absorption. Like lotions (which is why we are so adamant about safe skin care), things applied to the skin go directly into your bloodstream instead of having to travel the digestive system first. So this will take effect quicker. I am not a huge fan of having something stuck to my or my kids skin (seems like it would be an irritant) but the materials.

The patch itself is made of “Acrylic Pressure Sensitive Adhesive with Aloe and Thiamine Hydrochloride on Urethane film laminated to polyethylene coated kraft paper”. I can’t find any solid reason to not use this product (or the wristbands for that matter) other than the waste factor, as they may not be recyclable.

To sum up: This obviously isn’t every single natural product on the planet, but I also had to eliminate several natural ones from our lists due to questionable ingredients. We’re comfortable recommending these, but of course, as with anything you put on your skin, use your judgment, follow the directions. Everything in moderation!

Other natural tips for deterring buggies naturally at home:

  • Eliminate standing water from outdoor areas where you hang out and play.
  • Keep potted rosemary or eucalyptus plants around your patio areas
  • Eat food rich in B Vitamins like bananas or eat garlicky food – mosquitoes don’t like it apparently

If you do get bit, I like Burt’s Bees Res-Q ointment, comes in a little solid tin. A little dab on a bug bite takes away the itchies. Works great on bumps, scrapes and bruises too.

Enjoy the outdoors! Remember to also choose a safe sunscreen for sunny days! Read SafeMama’s 2009 Safer Sunscreen Cheat Sheet report for our top sunblock picks.

Apr

25

Contact the Manufacturer!

Filed Under Product Safety | 2 Comments

One of the most frustrating things about all of this unsafe plastic business, is that sometimes there’s just no real clear answer. So the only thing to do, is to contact the manufacturer directly and ask them. We encourage people to call the manufacturer more often than not, because if we don’t know the answer, who better to ask then the people that make the product? It’s not always easy to track contact information down for a company. So we’ve helped you out by putting together a list of manufacturers whose products we get the most inquiries about. You can download the pdf file by simply clicking the icon or download it here.

Keep in mind that this is NOT a comprehensive list. There are many companies on there, and the list could have gone on for pages, but this should be some of the key players to get you started. If you’d like to have a company added to the list. Simply contact us with the contact information, and we’ll happily add it.

Apr

17

Bisphenol-a (BPA) Crash Course

Filed Under Bisphenol-A, Dear SafeMama | 9 Comments

Trying to get up to date on all this BPA talk popping up in the news? Just saw a report on the local or national news? Hearing mixed information from friends? Ahh we feel your mounting frustration from here. Before you get that huge trash bag and barrel through your kitchen like a sleep deprived maniac, read this. Safe Mama is all about efficiency. We know you parents are tired and need the quick and dirty version, so here you go:

  • What is BPA? BPA or Bisphenol-a is a chemical used mostly in polycarbonate plastics (PC) and in the lining of metal cans.  It can be found in products like: baby bottles, sippy cups, sports bottles, almost all canned food / formula cans (lining), all soda cans, foil seals, and jar food lids. Greeeat. (feel my thick sarcasm?)
  • How do I know if something plastic is made with Polycarbonate plastic (PC)? Flip the item over and look for a recycling symbol on the bottom. It looks like a triangle of arrows with a number between 1 – 7 in the center. Polycarbonate plastic is usually marked with a 7. It might sometimes have a PC next to it indicating polycarbonate.  However, not ALL #7 plastics are PC…
  • Why should I avoid BPA? Bisphenol-a is a known endocrine disruptor. Meaning it has estrogenic properties which, in recent animal tests has shown to potentially cause a bevy of health problems such as;

    • Research is showing that plastic containers, mostly those used to hold liquids and foods, are leeching Bisphenol into the foods and liquids they are holding.  Heating food and liquids with these plastics is shown to increase the leeching of this contaminate.  It has also been proven that BPA leeches into liquids from metal can linings (such as prepared baby formula)  Bottom line: It’s icky and if you don’t want to chance it on your precious kids, there are ways to avoid it.

  • So, do my Avent / Dr. Browns baby bottles have BPA? If they are the traditional hard clear plastic ones that millions of people use? Most likely, YES. Want to check which bottles are not made with polycarbonate plastic (PC)? We have a growing list of bottles, sippy cups, milk storage and other items available:
  • What if my item has no recycling code on it? Welcome to our hell! There is no way of knowing unless you a) Find it on the “BPA Free lists” or b) call the company the product is made by and ask them what kind of plastic it is. We wish it was easier than that, believe us.
  • Where else is BPA found besides baby bottles? Sports bottles, glass jar lids, in the lining of canned food, soda cans, infant formula cans, and foil seals

We hope that helps get you started. Please, feel free to browse the site for more information using the category list, the search function or the many resources in the left sidebar. If you’ve exhausted the resources we have here and still can’t find a suitable answer, ask us. We try to answer your questions as best we can. We’re just mom’s like you, trying to figure it all out. So hopefully we can get help each other out!

Apr

11

Baby Skin Care Products: A Quick Users Guide

Filed Under Phthalates Info, Product Safety, Skin Care, paraben free | 7 Comments

One of the things that we’ve been frustrated with, here at Safe Mama, was what seemed like a lack of safe baby skin care products. Hence, the first version of the Paraben and Phthalate Free Bath Care Cheat Sheet. As we were searching we realized that there actually are a lot of really great products out there, and so we compiled as many of them as we could find, and put them all in one central location for our readers to peruse. A few things to note:

1. Not every single product that’s out there, is going to be on this list. We’ve found tons of stuff, and have turned over many stones, but I’m sure there are some out there that we’ve missed. That said, if you’re using a product that’s safe, and it isn’t on here, please email us or comment and we’ll research the product add it to the list.

2. If your product isn’t on here, it may be because it didn’t meet the requirements for this spreadsheet. All of the products listed on here are free of parabens, sodium laureth sulfates (SLS), phthalates, 1,4 dioxanes, propylene glycol, and PEG’s. The who? The what? We’ve outlined briefly what these are and why you might not want them in your child’s skin care in the glossary.

3. Safety Rating: In addition to that, we crossed refrenced these products with EWG’s Cosmetic Safety Database and added the score to each product on the sheet. Not every product, unfortunately, is in the CSD, however, that doesn’t mean that it’s a bad product, but you’ll have to decide for yourself whether or not you feel comfortable using it.

4. Not all products that are manufactured by these companies have been listed. We kept this simply listed to baby skin care, and products that a person might use during pregnancy or breastfeeding, and we noted each product as such. Again, it’s not that the other products are bad, it’s just that, well, this is list already very long, and the website is called Safe Mama after all.

5. At the time of this publication, we hadn’t heard back from a couple of the companies. We’re pretty sure that California Baby is free of dioxanes, but because we hadn’t heard back from them after a few attempts at contact, we decided to put “unknown.” We’d rather be safe than sorry.

We hope you’ll find this spreadsheet useful. We wanted to make sure that the Mamas (and the Daddys) know that there are lots of options out there for your little ones skin care needs. The link to this sheet will also be added to the sidebar. If you have any questions regarding these ingredients, please refer to our glossary.

You can download the SafeMama Safe Baby Skin Care Cheat Sheet (pdf) here.

Once you’ve chosen safe bath products, make sure your bath toys are safe too. Check out Z Recommends for their Guide to Safer Bath Toys. *squeak*

Feb

10

Cheat Sheet: Paraben and Phthalate Free Baby Products

Filed Under Phthalates Info, Skin Care, paraben free | 28 Comments

Since the attention phthalates got in the media the last week or two, I’ve gotten a few emails from moms wondering “What products are safe?“.  I’ve been religious about what products I use on my kid and the things I’ve read regarding parabens and phthalates have prompted me to change and inspect every product we use. For the tired moms who don’t have time to research and just need to know what products are paraben and phthtalate free, here is a quick list of companies.

UPDATE: Since the generation of this list, we’ve gone through each company and verified whether they contain parabens, phthalates, sodium laureth sulfates (SLS), 1,4 dioxane, PEG’s and/or Propylene Glycols. (See Glossary for why these things are something you may want to avoid). We also cross checked each product the the Skin Deep database to obtain any available hazard rating.

Download our extensive report / cheat sheet to see how products ranked. (Note: Version 2.0 coming this summer….we hope.)

Last Updated: June 22, 2009

SafeMama Top Picks

Paraben, Phthalate, PEG Free Baby Products

Updated 2/24/08: I recently discovered a much wider selection of safe baby care at Publix here in Florida including Weleda, Gaia, Burt’s Bees Baby, Avalon Organics, JASON, and a few others. I noticed a couple brands grouped into this section that appear to be in the safe zone but BEWARE parents, some of them do contain parabens so read the labels before buying.

Tips:

Read labels carefully. This article from The Daily Green is a great intro to helping you identify and avoid phthalates in your products.

Shopping at a “natural” store doesn’t mean everything is paraben and phthalate free. Read labels, know how to decipher the ingredients and don’t be fooled by the word “natural” on the label. If it says -paraben in any form, it contains parabens!

Be wary of the term “fragrance”. Synthetic fragrances are a phthalate culprit so if you can, try to use products with organic or natural fragrances or <strike>choose “unscented”</strike>. Unscented products can also contain phthalates (darn it!)! EWG says,

“Fragrance-free” or “unscented” means a product has no odor, but synthetic ingredients are often added to mask odors. Products without the word “fragrance” on their label should be OK.

Thank you to my friends at Itsabelly for bringing this to our attention!

Use less products. This seems like a no-brainer but many people use way more than they need. Babies are born with the most perfect skin (usually) and it will never again be as perfect as it is when they’re babies. They don’t need to be slathered in lotions and powders. A little warm water and a washcloth is all they really need. When kids get older and grimier (like mine) a little soap and warm water does the trick and spot treat any dry skin problems or rashes.

Jan

4

BPA Free Pacifiers and Teethers Cheat Sheet

Filed Under Bisphenol-A, Green Mama, PVC Free, Phthalates Info, Product Safety | 20 Comments

I’ve gotten a couple of emails from parents asking about BPA Free pacifiers and teethers. With all the news surrounding Bisphenol-a in bottles and sippy cups, parents are now wondering what else they might need to modify in their babies routine to avoid those plastics. Once a parent learns about potential hazards its tough to know what to buy and what to avoid. I’ve said myself more than once “Can’t someone just tell me what to buy?“.. and I am pretty sure I am not the only busy parent who’s uttered that phrase. Not a comprehensive list.

IMPORTANT: Please do not copy/paste this material on other websites without prior written consent. This page is constantly being updated so republishing it could mean you are distributing inaccurate information.  Copying and/or republishing this list or any written material from this website is also a violation of our Terms and Conditions.

Last Updated: April 6, 2009

BPA, PVC & Phthalate Free Pacifiers*

  • BornFree: BPA-Free Pacifier for Day and Night Use
  • Playtex: Playtex “Binky” (one piece silicone pacifier), Binky Most Like Mother Latex Pacifier, Binky Most Like Mother Silicone Pacifier, Binky Angled Pacifier, Ortho-Pro Pacifier
  • Gerber: NUK Original, NUK Classic, NUK Nautical
  • The First Years: Soothies Silicone Paci’s, Safe Comfort, Ultra Kip
  • Vice Versa Binky w/ Case
  • Natursutten Natural Rubber Paci
  • Evenflo: Mimi Soft Touch, Mimi Premium, Mimi Neo One-Piece, Vizion, Fuzion and Illuzion
  • Gumdrop Silicon Pacifiers
  • Happy Baby Soothers
  • NurturePure™ Pure™ Orthodontic Silicone Pacifier & Teether
  • Sassy Mini MAM, MAM (only with packaging labeled BPA FREE)
  • Avent PES Pacifiers (marked BPA Free) Nighttime, Fashion, Freeflow, Bear, Translucent

BPA, PVC & Phthalate Free Teethers*

  • Please also check out The Soft Landing Blog for a great list of BPA Free products.
  • Cross check your items with The Zrecs Guide to see what harmful chemicals are/aren’t in them.

*This is not a comprehensive list, it just contains the BPA, PVC & Phthalate Free products I am aware of. If there is a product not on here, it does not mean it’s not safe. Inquire with the toy maker about materials used if you are unsure. If there is a product that is not listed here that SHOULD be, please let me know and I will be thrilled to add it.

My absolute favorite site to take the headache out of non-toxic shopping:
The Soft Landing

What is Bisphenol A?
Bisphenol A is a hormone-mimicking chemical used in polycarbonate plastics and resins commonly used for items such as shatterproof baby bottles. Bisphenol has estrogenic properties which, in animal tests has shown to cause a bevy of health problems such as an increase in prostate and breast cancer, uro-genital abnormalities in male babies, a decline in semen quality in men, early onset of puberty in girls, metabolic disorders including insulin-resistant (Type 2) diabetes and obesity and neurobehavioral problems such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Research is showing that when plastic containers, mostly those used to hold liquids and foods, are leeching Bisphenol into the foods and liquids they are holding. Heating food and liquids with these plastics is shown to increase the leeching of this contaminate.

Many companies use this chemical in their packaging including cans, soda cans, and plastic food containers. There is a risk of absorbing this chemical through the use of containing foods and liquids but can also leech into our water systems through landfills.

Many leading experts argue that the use of Bisphenol is safe to the human public but research may begin to further prove otherwise.

Excerpt from Wikipedia:

“Bisphenol A has been known to leach from the plastic lining of canned foods and, to a lesser degree, polycarbonate plastics that are cleaned with harsh detergents or used to contain acidic or high-temperature liquids.[16] Infants fed with liquid infant formula have among the highest exposures of anyone eating canned foods. Infants fed canned formula with polycarbonate bottles can consume quantities of Bisphenol A up to 13 µg/kg/day.”

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