It’s a reflex for most parents: to turn to “baby” detergents, supposed to be better suited to the delicate skin of toddlers. However, some contain harmful substances to avoid.
When the baby is born, the whole house adapts. We know that the arrival of a child changes everything in the lives of young parents, right down to their shopping list. From its cradle to its compotes, including its diapers and even its shower gel, everything is scrutinized in order to offer the safest products to these terribly sensitive and vulnerable little beings. However, a large number of items labeled “baby” in the supermarket actually contain toxic substances, or at best, cause for concern. This is particularly the case for several specialized detergents, as shown in a comparative test conducted by the magazine 60 million consumers.
It’s a completely natural choice for parents: to turn to a “baby” detergent, or even a “sensitive skin” detergent, supposed to be better suited to the delicate skin of infants. It must be said that the skin of little ones is particularly fragile, and therefore more prone to irritation and allergies. However, many references contain undesirable ingredients such as perfume, enzymes or bleaching agents. In reality, the name “baby” is not governed by strict specifications, it is more often a marketing argument than a real promise of softness.
Among the “baby” detergents tested by our colleagues, certain formulas should be avoided. The brands Auchan, Epsil, Le Chat and Skip obtain relatively average scores, while Persavon Bébé laundry detergent comes at the bottom of the ranking. Each reference was evaluated according to its Ménag’Score, the equivalent of the Nutri’Score for food, with grades ranging from A to E. The impact on health accounts for 70% of the grade, and the impact on the environment accounts for 30%. Persavon Bébé laundry detergent contains sodium pyrithione (an irritant that is also banned in cosmetics), benzisothiazolinone (an allergen) and phenoxyethanol (another irritant), which gives it a grade of C for the health aspect, and a grade of E for the environmental component. However, the worst detergent is actually hidden on the side of “sensitive skin”: with an overall Ménag’Score rated E, it is the Skip Sensitive Skin product which obtains the worst rating of all.
Paradoxically, it is also a “sensitive skin” product which obtains the best rating, surpassing all the “baby” detergents in the panel: it is Briochin Sensitive Skin, which obtains an overall Ménag’Score of A thanks to its fragrance-free and environmentally friendly composition. As for special detergents for toddlers, it is L’Arbre Vert Bébé which dominates the ranking with an overall score of B. It did not reach the highest mark due to the controversial surfactants and perfume present in its formula, but remains satisfactory compared to other options on the market.
