baby

26 March 2022

Review Green People Organic Babies Baby Wash and Shampoo Scent Free
(Gifted)

For those of us with fragrance allergies finding scent free skincare can feel like a bit of a mission at times. Thankfully there are some decent brands who are catering for us and I've mentioned many times before Green People is one I've been reliant on for many years.

Before I talk about Green People baby wash lets talk about the differences between fragrance free and unscented. I have a sensitivity to linalool, under Cosmetic Regulations there are 26 fragrance allergens which need to be declared on labels when they are at a certain % in a product. This is a legal requirement and linalool is on this list. When we talk about 'fragrance free' we are generally referring to a formulation which does not contain natural or synthetic fragrance and it will have an aroma which naturally derives from the ingredients it is made from. On the other hand 'unscented' skincare has no smell but can contain substances which neutralise the aroma of the ingredients in its formulation. 

One issue which I believe can be confusing is to claim a cosmetic/skincare product 'allergen free' when the formulation is only free from the declarable 26 fragrance allergens. I think that consumers could misunderstand the product to be also free from top 14 food allergens. 

When it comes to baby products they tend to be gentler on the skin with lower levels of essential oils or even better they are fragrance free. It can be a go to option for any age group so I don't let the 'baby' labelling put me off. When I recently discovered my favourite body wash had been discontinued I was on the look out for something new and that's how I ended up testing Green People Organic Babies Baby Wash and Shampoo.

Green People Organic Babies Baby Wash and Shampoo has been created for children with sensitive skin prone to eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. As the name suggests it's a multi-purpose product intended for body washing, bubble baths and shampoo. The formulation contains gentle cleansing properties to retain natural skin and scalp oils with key ingredients of Organic Aloe Vera, Yucca and Chamomile.

I've been using Green People Baby Wash in the shower with a konjac sponge. The concentrated formula means you don't need much to create a gentle lather. I can certainly vouch for the fact it feels gentle on my skin and whilst my skin remains prone to dryness it doesn't appear to exasperate this problem. As a body wash there is little reason to be unhappy as it performs exactly as expected.

I know many of you have concerns about packaging and may prefer zero waste options such as soap bars. I'd just like to mention that Green People state the following on their website - "Plant-based packaging. Ethical responsibility is at the heart of what we do. We are proud to present this conditioner in a fully recyclable, renewable sugar cane tube. Farmed on sustainable land, this plant-based packaging is completely carbon-neutral."

If you or your children can tolerate gentle scents then Green People Baby Wash & Shampoo is available in Berry Smoothie (I have previously reviewed) and Lavender.

I'm happy to recommend Green People Organic Babies Baby Wash and Shampoo for all age groups. If you would like to buy this products or view other items from Green People they are available online.

Sarah x

28 June 2016

Petit Pai for sensitive baby skin
I was super excited to hear about the launch of Petit Pai and I don’t even have kids! Pai is a brand I trust for sensitive skin products. You all know how I like using unscented products and the Apple & Mallow Blossom Hair & Body wash and Face & Body cream are free from fragrance, SLS/SLES and parabens (also certified organic, vegan and cruelty free).

8 April 2015

Natural and Organic Skincare for Babies
We all know babies have delicate skin so in the first month it is recommended you only use water to cleanse and after this time slowly introduce products. The idea is to allow the skin to develop its natural protective barrier and this may help reduce the occurrence of allergic reactions and eczema. Be careful not to over bathe your baby, two to three times a week is recommended.

My first tip is an important one - always read the labels. I recommend you avoid sulphates (SLS - sodium lauryl sulfate/SLES - sodium laureth sulfate), parabens, petrochemicals (paraffin/mineral oil), artificial colours and fragrances. When opting for natural and organic skincare I recommend you select products developed specifically for babies as the essential oils will be at a lower percentage compared to skincare suitable for adults. It is still possible to react to essential oils so I would always recommend patch testing. Watch out for the term "hypoallergenic/dermatologically tested" as it can be misleading. It's a marketing term used to imply a product is less likely to cause an allergic reaction but that does not necessarily make it natural, organic or free from synthetic ingredients.

In your kit of baby products include soap/body wash, shampoo, body lotion/oil and nappy rash cream/balms. Avoid high street brands of baby powder (talc) as the ingredients can be considered harmful on baby’s lungs if inhaled (and same can be said for adults). I am also not a fan of lanolin and urea, common ingredients found in nipple balms and emollients. If you chose to use wet wipes, consider biodegradable brands that are free from perfume and alcohol. Please remember that unless the packet tells you otherwise, don't flush wipes down the toilet as they end up on our beaches. You may also wish to consider switching to a laundry detergent and fabric conditioner free from perfumes.

Many of the brands listed below offer products for Mum as well as baby. Gift sets are ideal if you are looking for value for money or a present for the new arrival.

Balm Balm - the fragrance free balm and oils are suitable for babies. I can also recommend the Chamomile floral water, a great multi purpose soothing mist for itchy skin.

Handmade Naturals - another personal recommendation, I have used many their products including the unscented baby oil. Alongside their own range they also sell Eco-friendly Baby wipes.

Konjac Sponge - I highly recommend a Konjac sponge for delicate, sensitive skin and their product line includes face and bath sponges for newborns and children.

Nom Nom Skincare - I had the pleasure of judging these products at last years Free From Skincare Awards. The Camillia & Vanilla Stretch Butter was delightful and suitable even if not pregnant. The range includes body butters and oils, balm, body wash and gift sets.

Odylique - again another favourite brand and I have tried the baby gentle wash & shampoo. The repair lotion is good for irritated skin and mild eczema.

Remember all these brands are suitable for adults as well but I do hope expectant and new Mums have found my post helpful. 

Sarah x

10 July 2014

tiddley pom baby wash
Just recently it's been battle of the baby washes in my bathroom. Over the last few months, my sensitive skin had a hissy fit so I have been seeking out gentle products and looking at natural ranges aimed at babies. I had been using Dr Bronner's Baby Mild Bar Soap but I wanted to switch it up as I like the convenience of a liquid soap.

I knew of Tiddley Pom because they entered the Free From Skincare Awards in a category which I judged. The range includes body wash, lotion, nappy balm, massage oil, baby massage DVD and spa music CDs. The products are designed to complement each other and provide a step by step baby spa experience.

The baby wash contains lavender and chamomile, two of my favourite ingredients. It has a lovely delicate aroma. Full ingredients are available on the website. The lotion and wash do contain Phenoxyethanol should that be a concern for you.  The body wash has a good liquid consistency which easily squirts from the pump. I mention this because I have encountered other shower gels which are gloopy and hard to pump from the bottle. It also lathers perfectly on a shower puff. I have enjoyed using this product and would happily repurchase. My one criticism is I dislike the phrase "free from harmful chemicals" which is printed on the packaging. I think companies need to step away from using these words. At what point do we classify an ingredient as harmful? What I regard as dangerous may be regarded as safe by another person. For example, some people strongly believe Phenoxyethanol is harmful and so I do not feel the phrasing is appropriate.

Tiddley Pom offer bundle packages so if you are looking for a present for an expectant mum, I would certainly recommend browsing their website. Products are also available in Boots, Debenhams, Harrods and Whole Foods. The baby wash retails for £9.99. Have you heard of Tiddley Pom and purchased any of their products? 

Sarah x

26 June 2014

hannah & hugh baby
Just before I took my trip to Lisbon, I received products from Hannah & Hugh to review. Hannah & Hugh offer a small range of products for babies. The range consists of Rosehip & Calendula baby cream, Nappy balm, Hair & Body Wash. Products are free from parabens, SLS, PEGs, petrochemicals, artificial colours, synthetic fragrances and not tested on animals. Ingredients are sourced locally and manufactured in the UK.

My favourite product is the Rosehip & Calendula baby cream. I like the natural scent and the consistency is not too heavy which makes it easy to massage onto skin and absorb quickly without any stickiness. The cream contains two of my favourite ingredients – calendula and rosehip – so it really was no surprise that I have enjoyed using it. I am not as enthusiastic for the body wash, the scent and constancy are not to my personal taste. As for the balm, sadly I was not able to test it as I avoid orange oil. 

For those of you who monitor preservatives, the body wash and cream contain Phenoxyethanol. As these are products for kids then the level will be no more than 1%. I have clarified this with the founder who confirmed that it falls well below this level. Overall, Hannah & Hugh products are affordable (£8.50 - £12.99) and should be commended for good free from ethics. I certainly recommend over mainstream brands like Johnson & Johnson.

Have you heard of Hannah & Hugh? Have you tried any of their products?

Sarah x
Disclaimer - PR samples, links are not affiliated

18 June 2014

Nom Nom Skincare for Mothers and Babies
Kadria Skincare is no longer trading, their skincare range was intended for expectant mothers, new mothers and babies, here's an alternative suggestion Nom Nom Skincare

12 February 2014


Review: Odylique Essential CareBaby Gentle Wash & Shampoo

For the most part, I understand my skin and body and the way it reacts to foods or ingredients it dislikes. I have gone through stages in my life where things are under control and then there are times when I can not figure out what is going wrong. It can be very hard to pin point what has caused a reaction. I have this recurrent stubborn eczema patch on my chest, it comes and goes more times than I have had hot dinners. Mum says it's stress and I think it's allergy related. When my skin does flare up, I have to strip back my diet and skincare routine to the basics in an effort to calm my skin and stop the itch. This is a long winded way of explaining how I ended up buying Odylique Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo. For the past year, I had been switching between Deep Steep Lavender Chamomile body wash and Bodhi Mint Thé Shower Therapy. I suspect the high essential oil content becomes an issue when my skin is having a tantrum. 

You all know I speak highly of Essential Care and I enjoy using a number of products from their range. Generally speaking, products formulated for babies tend to have lower levels of essential oils so that also makes an ideal solution for adults with sensitive skin. The Essential Care baby wash contains olive oil, aloe vera, chamomile, calendula and lavender, perfect ingredients for soothing the skin. I really do feel as if this product, along with other changes I've made, has been making showering less painful. I am not experiencing redness or itching immediately following washing. I am certainly not going to make any outlandish claims but I think if you (or your children) struggle with sensitive skin conditions, the Essential Care Baby Gentle Wash & Shampoo is worth considering. It produces a nice creamy lather with plenty of bubbles and has a mild scent of aloe and lavender.

Essential Care have a range of Mum & Baby and a couple of gift sets. This body wash is pH 5.5 balanced, suitable for babies over 3 monthsVegan, Organic and 100% natural (free from SLS/SLES). Essential Care have a range of Mum & Baby and a couple of gift sets. 

When you have skin flare ups or sensitivity do you consider using products formulated for babies? 

Sarah x

14 May 2013

Bloom Remedies Dry Skin & Rescue Baby Balm
Bloom Remedies asked me if I would like to try their Dry Skin & Rescue Baby Balm. It is aimed at dry and eczema prone skin and contains my favourite ingredients, Calendula, Chamomile and Lavender. Although this is marketed for little people that does not mean grown ups can’t indulge as well. For anyone who is sensitive to essential oils this may be ideal for you. Baby products are very gentle and the percentage of essential oil in this balm is lower than those found in their other balms.

As you all know I am a balm addict and find them particularly useful in the treatment of my eczema. This balm has a gentle aroma and is soft which helps when massaging into skin. Being able to rub product onto eczema in a gentle manner is extremely important as eczema is often sore and irritated, so the less friction the better. I have enjoyed using this balm, the ingredients suit me and are exactly what I look for in my skincare. 

Bloom Remedies Dry Skin & Rescue Baby Balm
Products from Bloom Remedies are 100% natural and Organic (Soil Association Certified). They are free from synthetic ingredients, Parabens, Petrochemicals, EDTA, Mineral oils and Silicones. There is a lovely range of products for Face, Body, Mother & Baby and Men. I highly recommend you browse the website.

I know there are a few reviews floating around for other products from this brand. Have you tried a product from Bloom Remedies? What do you think? Any recommendations?

Sarah x

Disclaimer - PR sample, links are not affiliated, 100% my own opinion

30 July 2012

This is the second time I have been approached by a French Skin care brand. Obviously not all skin care is created equal but once again I have discovered a brand that is not quite as it claims. Corine de Farme have started to launch in the UK. They have a partnership with Disney and launched four baby toiletries  with dual branding into Sainsbury's, Ocado, Boots and Amazon.  They have also launched into Sainsbury's with feminine care products.

Here's an extract from the email I received - A minimum 95% natural ingredients, Paraben free, Alcohol free, Phenoxyethanol free, Phthalate free, (allergen-free) fragrance. All products are also hypoallergenic & dermatologically tested. Clearly we do not claim to be 100% natural but we do strive to make our products with as high a natural ingredient content as possible. Although Phenoxyethanol is a natural ingredient we avoid using it where possible as it can also be a cause of irritation or adverse reaction.

I realised that I had looked at the feminine products in Sainsbury's the other week. I remember picking it up because of the free from ingredient list then promptly returning it to the shelf after discovering it contains SLES. Sodium lauryl ether sulphate (aka sodium laureth sulphate SLES) or sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are both inexpensive foaming agents. Sodium laureth sulfate is often regarded as less irritating than sodium lauryl sulfate. Both dry out your skin and are considered carcinogenic (the jury is out on the later information is conflicting).  Often you will see a product say it is free from SLS but it will contain SLES. Personally I avoid both because I see no difference between the two when it comes to my skin and eczema.

I follow Mademoiselle Nature and I asked her for some advice.  She confirmed my suspicions. She does not believe the 95% natural claims and questions the preservative system used to replace parabens and phenoxyethanol.

I googled Corine de Farme ingredients and Boots wesbite popped up.  The following ingredients are for the Corine de Farme Disney Winnie the Pooh lotion. I don't know about you but when a product claims to include ingredients from "natural origin" I expect to see ingredients that I would find outside my own front door. The only ingredient from nature that I can see is Calendula. Aqua; Glycerin; Paraffinum Liquidum; Cetearyl Alcohol; Phenoxyethanol; Glyceryl Stearate; PEG-100 Stearate; Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer; 1;2-Hexanedol; Caprylyl Glycol; Parfum; Sodium Hydroxide; Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract; Glucose; Tropolone; Sodium Benzoate; Potassium Sorbate; Caramel


Here are the ingredients for the body wash from the same baby range taken from Boots website. 
Aqua; Sodium Laureth Sulphate; Cocamidopropyl betaine; Sodium Chloride; Glycerine; PEG-200; Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate; Sorbitol; Citric Acid; PEG-7; Glyceryl Cocoate; Sodium Benzoate; Parfum; Potassium Sorbate; Sodium Hydroxide


The Intimate Care Shower Cream can be found on Sainsbury's grocery website and the ingredients are listed as Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Disodium Laureth Sulfosuccinate, Parfum, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Lactic Acid, Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer, Sodium Benzoate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Allantoin, Citric Acid, Potassium Sorbate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Jasminum Officinale Flower Extract, Sodium Citrate.

There are a number of ingredients in these products that are associated with allergies. If you would like to learn more simply search them on EWG's Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. For me, Corine de Farme joins my list of faux naturals alongside Sanex, Lush, La Roche Posey and Yves Rocher.

20 June 2011

Natural and Organic Skincare for Babies and Children
I hope everyone has had a pleasant day? Today was the first day of my holiday woo hoo! Last year I went to LA but this year I am having a staycation.  I have lots of things planned for the next two weeks and I am hoping to share some of it with you.   In the mean time this is just a quick post which was prompted by the fact that I have several pregnant friends and one of them had her baby today - it was a boy.

I don't have kids of my own but when I buy gifts for new arrivals I always chose natural and organic products. I had constant rashes and eczema as a child so I believe it's important to take care of delicate skin. It is worth researching ingredients and understanding that some are triggering reactions. We want the very best for our children and the environment so natural and organic skincare can be seen as an investment on them and the planet. I appreciate many new parents have to consider budgets but more plant based, naturally derived brands are popping up on the shelves of Boots and supermarkets. I don't see the need for controversial products from brands such as Johnson & Johnson. There is no reason why adults can't use products formulated for children. I often find when my skin is feeling super sensitive a natural baby product will usually be gentler to use.

Here's a list of brand for you to explore next time you are shopping for a gift or your child -


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