For Baby Products, Reading a Label Can be Confusing
Sponsored Content: Brought to you by Johnson & JohnsonAs parents we know how confusing it can be to stand in front of aisles and aisles of baby products. We recently chatted with David Mays, Senior Director of Global Scientific Engagement at Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc., a pharmacist, and dad to two daughters, about how to be a consumer in the know, especially when buying baby care products. Mays is a former associate professor of pharmacy at the University of Maryland and has been with Johnson & Johnson for the past 11 years.
Why can’t parents just use their favorite hair and skin products for their baby?
It’s critical for parents to remember that a baby’s skin is very different than adult skin. The skin of an infant is developing and changing over the first few years of life. A baby’s skin is also 30% thinner than adult skin. Our recommendation to new parents is if you can only buy one type of product for the whole household, then everyone in the household should use the baby product. Think about a shampoo designed to remove residue from an adult’s hair – this would never be a first choice for a baby. Products designed specifically for babies are the safest to use.
There are a lot of misconceptions about the word “natural” used on products. Tell us about that.
A lot of companies like to use the word “natural” because to a consumer it feels familiar and positive. For example, when you read “orange oil” as an ingredient in a product, you automatically think about oranges, which are so good for you. But in reality orange oil consists of 27 different ingredients, and three of the most common allergens are part of this combination of ingredients. We don’t use orange oil in baby products for this reason. “Natural” is not a free pass to a safe product, especially for babies.
We’ve been hearing a lot about fragrance in baby products. Are they all bad?
This is another area where there is a lot of misconception. Fragrances can have many benefits. At JOHNSON’S®, we follow the International Fragrance Association (IFRA) recommendations. This organization conducts extensive research on the wide variety of fragrances. They are the world leaders in this field. We then take it one step further and do our own clinical testing and studies as well, working with healthcare professionals and consumers around the world. We are constantly monitoring potential allergens.
How does JOHNSON’S® test its products?
Not only do we conduct extensive testing in our clinical labs, but we also have more than 76,000 consumers around the world who use our products and give us feedback. We work closely with pediatricians, dermatologists, nurses, midwives and pediatric ophthalmologists to make sure our products meet their standards. Our collaboration with healthcare experts and scientists, as well as with consumers, is how we continue to make safe products for babies.
What are some of the benefits of baby lotions?
There is a lot of research being done on the benefits of moisturizing infant skin. A good lotion, specially designed for baby’s skin, is important. Beyond nourishing the skin, there are tremendous bonding and emotional benefits to giving your baby a soothing massage after a bath. It’s a time when you can put your phone away and just focus on your baby –sing, talk, and enjoy this very special time together.
Did you use JOHNSON’S® products for your own kids?
Absolutely. When my daughters were younger, that’s all we used. They were both bald babies, so we used the HEAD-TO-TOE® baby wash until they had hair. I still use the products myself because I have sensitive skin and it keeps my skin healthy. To me, JOHNSON’S® is all about high quality and safe baby products. That’s what the company’s mission has always been. I know there are lots of products on the market and it can be confusing for new parents trying to find the right product for their baby. With JOHNSON’S®, you can be assured that we have done the research for you. It’s one less thing for you to worry about. We want parents to spend their time having fun with their kids and enjoying this wonderful time together. My girls are already teenagers. And I miss our time just playing together, and their funny sayings. I come to work every day with one focus—making safe products that are created specifically for baby’s unique needs—products that I would want my own family to use.
For more information on JOHNSON’S® baby products, visit https://www.johnsonsbaby.com