Childhood eczema can be triggered by so many things: food, weather, temperature, pollution and yes even things like lotions and detergent.
While more young parents these days are more vigilant about using ‘green’ and ‘all-natural’ products for their children, these can often be more if not as dangerous as the run-of-the-mill mainstream brands.
When it comes to looking at ingredients, the list doesn’t just stop with skincare and toiletries. Anything that your child may be topically exposed to can cause a flare-up especially if they have sensitive skin.
So, what’s written on the back of the packaging can be more important than whatever marketing taglines they’ve printed on the front of the product.
Here are some eczema-causing ingredients and where you’re most likely to find them.
Fragrances/Parfum
Fragrances are often added to make the product more appealing to use.
A product is considered fragrance-free if it doesn’t use any of the registered natural or synthetic perfumes.
But here’s where companies take advantage of labelling loopholes.
Many ingredients have multiple roles in a formulation, depending on their properties.
Rose oil, for instance, is both a moisturiser and a natural fragrance.
Hence, companies can label rose oil as a ‘moisturising agent’ instead of a ‘perfuming agent’ in order to get away with using fragrance in their products despite using the ‘fragrance-free’ label.
So, remember, if a product doesn’t list the word ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum’, it doesn’t mean it’s fragrance-free. This goes for detergents, too.
Here are some common synthetic fragrances you should watch out for:
- Essential plant oils (lavender, orange, tea tree, patchouli, eucalyptus, etc.)
- Balsam of Peru
- Limonene
- Benzyl Alcohol
- Cinnamic aldehyde
- Linalool
- Phenoxyethanol
- Butylphenyl Methylpropional
- Benzaldehyde
This is, of course, just the tip of the iceberg.
If you’re unsure about any ingredients, try looking them up on sites like CosDNA.
This allows you to know exactly the function of each ingredient, including if they’re being used as a masking fragrance. Just type the product name in the search bar and hit enter.
Surfactants
We bathe our kids everyday with shampoo and body wash.
It keeps the skin clean from grease and impurities, and in most cases, it’s avoidable.
Unfortunately, the thing that makes these products work is soap.
Or more precisely, surfactants (Surface Active Agents) which are degreasing chemicals that bind to oil and dirt particles so that they can be easily washed away with water.
They are the main ingredient in detergents and other toiletries like shower gels and shampoos and what makes these products foam up.
While there are technically skin-safe, plant-based surfactants, like lauramine oxide, it all depends on how your kids react.
Here are some common surfactants you should watch out for:
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine (CAPB)
- Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)
- Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES)
- Ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS)
It’s important to note that surfactants (like fragrances) leave residues behind, especially when used as a detergent.
So, even if you’ve thoroughly rinsed your clothes, there may still be traces of soap (or other chemicals) in the fabric which will then transfer to your child’s skin if they come into contact with it.
Preservatives
Preservatives prevent the growth of mold, bacteria and other microorganisms in products.
It keeps things like skincare and cosmetics safe for years and years.
But ironically, the thing that’s meant to protect us can also be what does the most harm.
In the case of eczema, some preservatives can actually cause a flare-up.
Here are two preservatives that are known eczema culprits you should try avoiding.
They are used in almost everything including shampoos, cleaning products, cosmetics, dermatological products and even paints:
- Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)
- Methylisothiazolinone
Emollients and Humectants
Emollients are the main ‘moisturising agent’ in a lotion or cream.
It allows the skin to hold in more water, leading to plumper, smoother skin.
But the idea of moisturisers triggering eczema can be unthinkable for some.
We’ve been told that anything moisturising and hydrating is great for the skin. Important, even.
But not all moisturising ingredients are created equal.
Propylene glycol, for instance, a common emollient in many diaper creams, have been found to be an allergen and so are lanolin and lanolin derivatives.
Lanolin is a type of wax secreted from the skin of wool-bearing animals like sheep.
It is a known allergen for some people, especially those with inflammatory skin conditions like eczema.
Here are a list of eczema-causing emollients to watch out for:
- Urea
- Lanolin (hydrous and anhydrous)
- Hydrogenated Lanolin
- Lanolin Alcohol
- Wool Fat
- Wool Wax
- Alcohols (Wool Alcohol)
Alcohols
We’re most familiar with this word when talking about adult beverages and hand sanitisers. But they also have a role in skincare.
Of course, when we’re talking about alcohols we don’t mean fatty alcohols, which are skin-loving emollients.
No, the alcohols we have to worry about are the pure alcohols, like ethanol and methanol.
These are often added to skincare to help products absorb better into the skin or to dilute it, giving it a lightweight texture when applied.
While relatively safe in small amounts, it can be triggering for eczema skin. So, be very careful about using products that contain alcohols.
Keeping Those Flare-Ups at Bay
There are many sources of eczema triggers, always from the places you’d least expect.
But barring natural occurrences like weather, pollen and temperature, its the man-made products you usually have to worry about.
Skincare, toiletries, detergents, sanitisers, and yes, even cosmetics.
You may not be allergic to your make-up, but your baby may be.
The things you apply on your skin can easily transfer to your baby’s skin anytime you touch, kiss, hug or pick them up.
So, while you’re busy checking to make sure your kids’ personal care products are safe, don’t forget to do the same for yourself. It may just be the final piece of the puzzle you’re missing.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner.
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