Cause of Diaper Rash

There are many things that can cause diaper rash, but one cause that is often overlooked is the damage disposable diaper wipes and wipes can cause.

Could my disposable diapers and baby wipes be causing this rash?

Amanda Thomas
Owner, Our Natural Baby

Amanda M. Thomas is the mother of three young children, and she is committed to improving the lives of children in many ways. She holds degrees in Early Childhood Education and Child Psychology. After two of her children began developing problems with traditional baby care products, that doctors couldn't easily identify, she and her husband researched alternatives to solve these problems. The solutions lead her to use natural products to optimize their children's health. She later opened Our Natural Baby, a boutique of the products she has found to help parents and their children engage in a more healthy lifestyle for the betterment of families everywhere.

Does your baby have a nasty diaper rash that you can't clear up?

Disposable diapers and wipes contain numerous ingredients that can cause skin irritations. Turns out what you don’t know may be causing problems for your baby’s sensitive skin.

As an example we compare two baby wipe products; Pampers® Baby Wipes with Aloe and Lavender™, and Our Natural Baby’s® Bum Foam™.

Pampers ® Baby Wipes with Aloe and Lavender™:Water, Dimethicone, Aloe Vera Gel, Sodium Acrylates/Vinyl Isodecanoate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Phenycarbinol, Disodium EDTA, Sodium-Hydroxy-Methylglycinate, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbonate, Lavender Fragrance.

Our Natural Baby’s® Bum Foam™:Distilled Water, 100% Pure Vegetable Glycerine, 100% Pure Hemp Almond Liquid Castile Soap, Organic Sunflower Oil, Apricot Kernel Oil, Organic Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E, 100% Pure Lavender, Organic Sweet Orange, Organic Calendula, 100% Pure Australian Tea Tree, Blue Chamomile Essential Oil.

Commercial Baby wipes are disposable cloths used to cleanse the diaper area of infants and toddlers. These cloths are made from non-woven fabrics similar to those used in dryer sheets and are saturated with a synthetic solution of cleansing ingredients. Baby wipes are typically sold in plastic tubs that keep the cloths moist and allow for easy dispensing.

Our Natural Baby’s Bum Foam is a naturally pure foaming wipe solution designed to be used with non-disposable cloth wipes.

Water is the main ingredient in commercial baby wipes and serves as a carrier and diluent for the other ingredients. Disposable wipes also contain synthetic detergents mixed with other chemicals, artificial fragrance, and preservatives. The detergents most commonly used are known as amphoteric surfactants, similar to those found in baby shampoos. Sodium diamphoacetate and coco phosphatidyl PG-dimonium chloride are primary surfactants used in wipes. Humectants such as propylene glycol and glycerine are added to prevent premature drying of the solution. In addition, some formulas incorporate oils such as mineral oil, lanolin, or silicones. Thickeners, such as cellulose derivatives like hydroxymethyl cellulose, control the viscosity of the finished product and keep it the right consistency. Other ingredients include preservatives, such as methyl and propyl paraben. Synthetic fragrance is usually added to increase consumer appeal and to help over-come body odors, but fragrance-free products are also offered.

So, what’s the difference?

According to Aubrey Hampton, of Aubrey Organics®, the difference is that many synthetic ingredients are harmful, hazardous, toxic chemicals. For example, amphoteric surfactants are inexpensive synthetic detergents used in products from shampoos, body wash, bubble baths, and laundry detergent for its foam-building abilities, which imitates more expensive products. It can cause skin rashes and allergic reactions. Jessica Iclisoy, developer of California Baby®, comments, “Little girls get yeast and bladder infections that they have to fight with for the rest of their lives because of synthetic cleansing agents”. Petroleum based ingredients are also harmful as well. Petrochemicals such as petroleum jelly and mineral oil cause problems with the skin’s photosensitivity (i.e., promotes sun damage), and tends to interfere with the body's own natural moisturizing mechanism, leading to dry skin and chapping. You are being sold a product that can create the very conditions it claims to alleviate. Manufacturers use petrolatum because it is unbelievably cheap. The synthetic fragrances used in skin care products can have as many as 200 ingredients. There is no way to know what the chemicals are, since on the label it will simply say "Fragrance." Some of the problems caused by these chemicals are headaches, dizziness, rash, eczema, hyperpigmentation, and violent coughing.

The best way to avoid these ingredients is to purchase naturally based products that give full ingredient disclosure. You may find that your baby’s skin irritations will suddenly disappear when you no longer use skin care products formulated with petrochemicals and other synthetics. In fact, the best way to treat your baby’s itchy red patches or diaper rash is to switch to more natural alternatives.

So, what should I look for in a natural care product?

First, look for high quality ingredients that are food or vitamin grade, natural, hypoallergenic and biodegradable, such as castile soap and pure vegetable glycerin. These ingredients are effective, gentle, cleaners with no reported adverse effects. Secondly, the manufactures should use certified organic herbs. Finally, fragrances should be pure, aromatherapy quality essential oil infusions.

Some who come across this kind of information feel unmotivated to act upon it. They may feel that if we have survived so far with the presence of these chemicals, which our government allows, then there is no need for such a fuss. Very simply, the difference is that synthetic chemicals and fragrances create skin irritations and allergic reactions while natural products and essential oils are non-stripping to the skin and promote wellness.

Because of a personal experience with severe diaper dash in my daughter; I was motivated to investigate natural options that didn’t aggravate her condition. We chose to cloth diaper, utilize luxuriously plush sherpa cloth wipes, and we formulated a natural foaming wipe solution which has solved her rash problems.

We at Our Natural Baby know the difference natural skin care can make for your baby. We know from experience how damaging the chemicals and synthetic fragrances found in commercial disposable diapers and baby wipes are to children’s sensitive skin. We strive to allow you and your baby to experience a more natural lifestyle by providing quality products at affordable prices. We have researched and formulated the best natural products, and now have them available through our online boutique. We are confident in the products we carry because we use them in our own household on a daily basis.

As consumers, each person has a significant influence on business and industry. Because there are more natural alternatives, it can now be a simple choice of where you choose to spend your money. We know that in the past; the options for quality natural products were difficult to find in one convenient location, and so we created ONB. We invite you to discover high quality, easy-to-use products that support your natural lifestyle. Come, and make your baby, Our Natural Baby.