Eco Baby 101 – Top-10 Babycare Products & Reviews
Written by Olivia Richardson: 24-August-2009
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Looking for skincare products that are safe for bub and the environment?
We personally tested over 50 eco-natural baby products, researched their eco credentials, Sherlock-Holmes-ed their ingredients lists and came up with the best 10.
The criteria? They had to:
1. Be eco-friendly
2. Be certified organic products; or mostly contain organic, biodynamic or truly natural ingredients
3. Be free from nasty, synthetic chemicals; especially petrochemicals (i.e. mineral oil, parrafin, petroleium)
4. Not be tested on animals
5. Smell nice, be chic AND be effective
6. Be Australian-made and owned (with the exception of Burt's Bees)
7. Have recyclable packaging.
We considered the company's eco and charity initiatives as well!
Glossary
Organic: Ingredients grown naturally, without pesticides, herbicides and other nasty chemicals. Think Adam-and-Eve style farming.
A 23-year study by The Rodale Institute (2003) showed that if 1000 medium-sized farms converted to being organic, the effects on the environment would be like taking 117,440 cars off the road each year! Also, did you know that conventional agriculture is the second-highest contributor of greenhouse gases in Australia (17 per cent in 2004)?
Certified Organic ingredients: Ingredients in the product have been checked and tested by an authorised, organic certifying body, such as NAASA, ACO, etc., and have been found to be truly organic... and it isn't a hasty process! NASAA for example, has about 120 pages of rules and regulations that a product or company has to abide by in order to use their ‘certified organic’ label.
Certified Organic (product): Truly certified organic products have at least 95 per cent organic content, while products with at least 70 per cent organic ingredients can be labelled as ‘containing organic ingredients’. In all fairness, eligible companies also have to pay to use the ‘certified organic’ label and perhaps some truly organic products aren’t labelled so because they can’t afford to become officially certified.
Biodynamic: 'Biodynamic farming' is similar to organic farming (no chemicals); but is more 'holistic' and boho-chic, Sienna-Miller-esque; as you grow and plant with calendered cycles of the sun and moon.
How can I know if skincare products are truly organic and natural?
Current labelling laws allow skincare manufacturers to claim their product is natural or organic if there is at least one natural or organic ingredient in the whole product. Another trick is that companies get one or two of their ingredients certified as being organic, but then the rest of the product contains synthetic chemicals. Always read the ingredients list (and even look each one up on www.cosmeticsdatabase.com;) choose Certified Organic products, or choose ones from our list below!
Top-10 eco baby products
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1. GAIA Natural Baby Skin Soothing Lotion / Avado Nappy Lotion
GAIA’s contains 100% natural ingredients plus some organic ones, which are the least damaging to the environment. It's a thick, soothing lotion great for nappy rash, eczema, mozzie bites, scratches, etc.; you can feel and see the zinc (great for healing rashes), and it smells like orange lollies. The only downside is GAIA’s non-pump bottles are thick and a little hard to squeeze. 250ml, $12.50. GAIA has 'adopted' two orangutans in Indonesia through the Australian Orangutan Project, which works to save the species largely by preserving the forests. They also support a range of charities each year and re-use or recycle anything they can.
Avado’s has a calming scent (subtle lavender, ylang ylang, mandarin and Roman chamomile essential oil blend); some eco-friendly organic goodies, and healing zinc oxide. It’s soothing, moisturising and protects dry, red skin or chafed bottoms and is fine for sensitive skin/all-over body use. 250ml, $12.75.
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2. Billie Baby Body Wash (& shampoo)
Love Milkos? You’ll love the gentle smell of this moisturising, handcrafted goat-milk-based liquid soap (also doubles as a shampoo). Goat milk has a similar pH level to our skin’s, making it very gentle for babies and sensitive bods. This wash leaves a slight protective, barrier film on skin and contains some organic ingredients. 250ml, $15.95. We also love Billie Baby Bath Soak and Billie Baby Cleansing Bars (made with sustainable palm oil). The company has adopted two orangutans in Indonesia through the Australian Orangutan Project, which works to save the species largely by preserving the forests.
3. Mum to Baby Organic Talc-Free Calming Baby Powder
The only baby powder in Australia that uses French white clay, which isn’t cheap! This is the best natural baby powder we’ve tried – stays on well, smells divine and doesn’t contain any talc, artificial fragrances and preservatives... just French white clay, organic chamomile German blue oil and organic lavender oil, known to soothe. The founder says one container can last 2 years! Now that's eco-friendly. They've also donated products to charities Miracle Babies, SMILE Foundation, and Heart Kids. Touché. 80g, $19.95.
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4. Burt’s Bees Baby Bee Diaper Ointment
This 100% natural ointment is really thick, feels ‘dry’ when applied, is non-greasy and soothes sensitive, rashy baby bottoms and prickly heat. The only downside is that it’s American-owned and -made (i.e. generates greenhouse gas via shipping) but they do have a tonne of eco and social initiatives in place. 57g, $14.95.
5. Avado Baby Sunscreen SPF 30+
100% natural and packed with moisturising, organic ingredients that don't harm baby and the planet; doesn’t have that signature, strong sunscreen smell; and is water-resistant for 2 hours. 200g, $18.70.
6. bod for bubs everyday moisturiser / miessence Baby Lotion
Calming, non-greasy, light moisturising ‘milk’ with mostly natural ingredients and soothing, certified organic calendula flower, which is great for sensitive skin. It contains a subtle and ‘baby appropriate’ sandalwood, jasmine, rose and calendula scent from pure essential oils. 250g, $19.99.
For an even lighter, 100% natural, certified organic (with ACO), non-greasy lotion, try miessence’s: its main ingredient is organic aloe vera, which is extremely cooling – perfect for summer days and hot skin. 150ml, $39.95. Miessence products are certified to international organic food standards; plus they donate to the David Suzuki Foundation, recycle office waste; and carbon offset their manufacturing, office and freight-related carbon dioxide emissions.
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7. Little Innoscents Vapour Rub Balm
This handbag-friendly tub contains 100% natural/certified organic (by NASAA) sunflower oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, beeswax; lemon, spearmint, wintergreen, eucalyptus, lavender, peppermint and rosemary essential oils – and nothing else. It helps relieve colds, coughs, runny noses, and nasal congestion; plus is antibacterial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory, yet gentle enough to use from birth (no Fisherman’s-Friend-style, nasal blasts here). We love! The company also donates to the Bonnie Babes Foundation, which helps save babies lives and counsel families after the loss of a baby. 50g, $10.99.
8. miessence Baby Bottom Mist
Soothing and calming, 100% natural, certified organic (with ACO) nappy spray great for itches, rashes, scrapes, cuts, sunburn, windburn, etc. Smells like a sweet, milky chamomile tea. 30ml, $19.95.
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9. Avado Nipple Care Balm
100% natural, plus is ACO certified organic. Keeps nipples soft and supple with all organic ingredients (except the last one – vitamin E)! It smells honey-meets-sweet-flower-y, is exceptionally moisturising, and doesn’t matter if baby swallows any residue, as all ingredients are safe. Could also double as a stretch mark and lip balm with the nourishing ingredients: sunflower oil, avocado oil, beeswax, calendula oil and vitamin E. 60ml, $18.70.
10. GAIA Baby Massage Oil / Little Innoscents Massage Oil
Both are 100% organic (the best for the environment and bub), non-greasy and glide on smoothly and smell fab. The difference? The mood. If you’d like baby to relax or go sleepy, try GAIA’s for its maderia-cake-meets-lavender-and-chamomile essential oils scent. 125 ml, $11.50, www.gaiaskinnaturals.com; and Little Innoscents’ NASAA-certified organic one for a pep-up with energising spearmint and lemongrass essential oils. 125ml, $12.95.
More babycare brands
Jurlique – biodynamic products
Sanctum – made in Byron Bay, organic ingredients, more masculine/CK-One-vibe smell
WotNot – contains certified organic ingredients and has great eco initiatives
Weleda – contains biodynamic and organic ingredients
[A'kin] pureBaby – mostly natural, and some organic ingredients; extremely subtle scent (almost none at all).
Eco-friendly beauty product ideas for adults:
Stem Organics
Mokosh
Trilogy Everything Balm review
Jurlique product reviews
Eco Baby 101 Part 2 – best car, clothes, nursery décor, toys, wipes & more
Read more info on eco-friendly beauty and babycare products here.