The following scenario is all too familiar for many Australian families:

“No, Mum! I’m not washing my hair. It hurts my eyes.” How many times have you heard this? Responding with, “cover your eyes, it will be fine.” But is it really fine? Why is washing kids' hair so stressful?

The answer might be hiding right under your nose, or on the back of the pack if you know what to look out for.

Did you know? The average child is exposed to 27 chemicals a day through kids' bath products, which have not been found safe for children.

'According to a study by the Environmental Working Group (EWG) of 3,300 parents in the US, this includes some chemicals associated with cancer, brain and nervous system damage, allergies, and hormone disruption.'

Who Governs Cosmetic Ingredients?

Governed by the Australian Consumer & Competition Commission (ACCC), mandatory safety standards specify the minimum safety requirements that products must meet before they are sold to consumers.

These standards apply to most product categories from bath toys to clothing to sunglasses, except cosmetic products, including kids' bath products.

According to the ACCC, the sale of cosmetics must adhere to a mandatory information standard that ensures consumers (parents) are provided with important information on product labeling (e.g., a list of ingredients) to assist them in making a purchasing decision.

The problem with this is, unless you have a chemistry degree or Google, most parents will have little to no understanding of the ingredients listed (e.g., What is Methylchloroisothiazolinone?).

According to Healthline, 'Methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI) is a preservative that’s active against bacteria, yeast, and fungi. It’s used in the manufacture of water-based cosmetics and personal care products as well as paint and glue'.

Making informed decisions for happy hair. Unlike Safety Standards, Information Standards do not necessarily relate to the safety aspects of a product, nor do they require testing of products prior to sale.

Therefore, just because a bath or hair care product is labelled for kids or babies does not mean its ingredients have been tested and found safe for use in infants. The responsibility falls on the parent to buy aware.

Did you know a child’s skin is 30 percent thinner than an adult’s and can absorb greater amounts of chemicals from the skin surface.

The short of it.

• Don’t be fooled by the packaging (e.g., a picture of a cute baby laughing) or creative marketing claims of being 'soap-free' or 'from nature'.
• Turn the bottle over and look at the ingredients list.
• First is not always a good thing. By law, cosmetics ingredients need to be listed in volume from highest to lowest. Focus your attention on the first 3-5 ingredients.

More Information

Visit the Cosmetic Ingredient Review. Lead by a 7-member steering committee of experts including dermatologists, toxicologists, and scientists who review the safety of ingredients used in cosmetic products worldwide. 

Tips for happy hair, happy kids; less stressed parents.

• Buyer always beware when purchasing kids' hair care and bath products. Keep it clean.
• The closer the cosmetic ingredients are to nature, the better.
• Look for only plant-based kids' bath products.
• If you can't pronounce the cosmetic ingredient name, then don't put it in or on your child's body.
• Less is more when it comes to the best natural hair care products. Fewer ingredients in kids' hair care can achieve better results.

MIMI kids' hair care hero's plant-based cosmetic ingredients. Try the best hair care for kids. MIMI is an easier and safer way to manage kids' hair care.

Everyone will be smiling. xx