3-min read
Diapers come and go, as baby grows up. Wipes stay in the family far beyond the diaper years. We use them on our most sensitive skin: sticky hands, sticky faces, sticky any places.
But not all wipes are created equal. Like diapers, this baby care essential is largely unregulated and untested for chemicals linked to long-term health problems.
Keep reading for a closer look at the unsung hero of baby care, and learn why HealthyBaby changed wipes.
A wipe back in time
The baby wipe, as we know it today, owes everything to the invention of the wet wipe in 1957, later trademarked the Wet-Nap. These are the individually packaged moist towelettes still handed out at restaurants. A few years later, the Wet-Nap inspired the invention of the alcohol prep pads used by healthcare professionals.
Wipes weren’t widely adopted until the invention of the first disposable, non-woven ones in the late 1970s. It’s hard to believe, but wipes didn’t join the diaper changing arsenal until 1983, and they weren’t officially marketed as “baby wipes” by Big Diaper brands until 1990!
From facial cleaning cloths to flushable wipes for the toilet-trained, disposable wipes have flooded—or in some cases, clogged up—the personal care industry. Baby wipes, however, haven’t changed much in the last 40 years. And that’s a problem.
A baby care industry in need of change
While menstrual products are classified as medical devices and regulated by the FDA, baby diapers and wipes fall under the jurisdiction of the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which doesn’t require manufacturers to disclose ingredients or test for many harmful chemicals.
This is unacceptable. Research has proven that the chemicals babies encounter in their first three years, the most critical window of brain development, can carry long-term health and developmental consequences.
“A baby’s skin is significantly thinner and more susceptible to exposure to harmful chemicals—their bodies can more readily absorb chemicals,” says Sydney Swanson, Healthy Living Science Analyst at the Environmental Working Group (EWG).
At HealthyBaby, we believe everything that touches baby should be safe, so Our Wet Wipes are EWG VERIFIED®. Every product at HealthyBaby has gone through rigorous testing.
What to look for in a baby wipe: The 4 Ss
Soft and Sturdy
Material matters! The ideal wet wipe is soft and natural, so it doesn’t irritate sensitive skin, but strong enough to handle any mess. Our Wet Wipes deliver. They’re 100% plant-based, made with a variety of sustainably sourced plants pressed into a luxuriously embossed, non-woven cloth.
Sustainable
A truly eco-friendly wet wipe is made without plastic, so it’s biodegradable. Many brands that advertise as “eco-friendly” still contain plastic, which has been linked to both environmental and health harm. To avoid this, opt for plant-based wipes.
Safe
The “wet” in your wipe is critical. Our Wet Wipes are saturated in a vegan, plant-based formula derived from plant extracts, not synthetic chemicals. Even the safest wipes need a preservative to prevent mold and bacterial growth. HealthyBaby uses honeysuckle, a natural preservative, and sodium benzoate, which is derived from plant-based benzoic acid, and safe in low concentrations. These achieve the ideal pH balance to create a hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested wipe that’s gentle and safe for baby’s skin.
Wipe right
Whether you’re cleaning baby’s bottom or a sticky face, HealthyBaby’s got you covered with the safest, softest, most sustainable wipes available.
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Use ‘em or lose ‘em: keep in mind that wipes expire after two years.
Have questions? Reach us anytime.
