|  | Family Health | Babies Health

Ingredients in Baby Wipes

A baby wipe is a moistened piece of cloth used for cleaning infants. Baby wipes are for parents and convenient and hygienic. Some parents choose to make their own baby wipes while others purchase baby wipes that are commercially produced. While the ingredients vary from brand to brand, the ingredients in most commercial baby wipe solution are detergents, moisturizing agents, preservatives, and fragrance. Water carries and dilutes the baby wipe ingredients.

  1. Detergents

    • Baby wipes contain mild detergents called amphoteric surfactants. The detergents reduce skin irritation and are less irritating to the skin near the genitals. The amopheric surfactants are comparable to the detergents that are used in baby shampoo. Most commercial baby wipes use the surfactants sodium diamphoacetate and coco phosphatidyl PG-dimonium chloride. Huggies Natural Care Baby Wipes uses the surfactants potassium laureth phosphate and polysorbate 20.

    Moisturizing Agents

    • Moisturizing agents, humectants, are added to the cleansing liquid of baby wipes to prevent the solution from drying. The moisturizers also help the skin stay moisturized. Many baby wipes use propylene glycol and glycerin. In addition, mineral oils, silicones and lanolin are added for moisture control. Tushies Baby Wipes with Aloe Vera uses glycerin, allantoin and panthenol as a moisturizer and lubricating compound.

    Preservatives and Fragrance

    • Many commercial baby wipes contain preservatives to prevent microbial growth. These preservatives include propyl paraben and methyl. Pampers Swipers Baby Wipes contain the preservative iodopropyl butylcarbamate while Tushies Baby Wipes contains potassium sorbate as a natural preservative. Some baby wipes also contain fragrance, such as vanilla, to prevent body odors and attract consumers to the product. Some baby wipes are fragrance free.

    Natural Ingredients

    • Some baby wipe manufacturers feature ingredients to increase their appeal to consumers. Some baby wipes will contain natural ingredients such as vitamin E, aloe vera or oatmeal extract. Many times the Vitamin E in baby wipes will be in the form of Tocpheryyl acetate. Some baby wipes may contain special ingredients like chamomile, cucumber, green tea or lavender, which may be soothing to the skin. The manufacturer will promote these types of baby wipes as a natural product to attract buyers.

Babies Health - Related Articles