Just What’s In That Body Lotion You’re Using?

By Siggy Raible

Well, it’s winter and as everybody knows ‘tis the season when we suffer from dry skin. I had a condition where my skin felt as if it was being stung by a thousand bees. My dermatologist determined I had dry skin and a fungal infection. Yuck! I got the cream she prescribed and eventually the yuck went away.

The other day, while I was in my local CVS, I decided to check out the baby lotions. What could be more soothing than a lotion you would put on your baby’s bottom? The product I chose was manufactured by a well-known global healthcare corporation advertising that it was “specially designed for babies when they are ready to start sleeping longer … good for all ages.” Well, the good-night sleep part clinched the deal.

It seemed to help with the dryness. So, the next day I decided to check out the contents. Boy was that an eye-opener — there are 18 ingredients, some of which I cannot pronounce! Here’s what I found out. (I used Google to assist me with definitions and interpreting what the different ingredients do.)

  • Water. Good old H20.
  • Glycerin. A humectant — which means it attracts and retains moisture.
  • Isopropyl Palmitate. An emollient, moisturizer, thickening agent and antistatic agent. [An emollient is a preparation having the quality of softening or soothing the skin.]
  • Steric Acid. Acts as an emollient/emulsifier that helps hydrate and soften the skin.
  • Glyceryl Stearate. A common ingredient in cosmetics, primarily used as an emulsifier, emollient and thickener. [An emulsifier prevents liquids that normally don’t mix from separating.]
  • Cetyl Alcohol. A fatty alcohol used in cosmetics and personal care products as an emollient, emulsifier and thickening agent.
  • Cetearyl Alcohol. Acts as an emulsifier, thickener and emollient.
  • Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil. An edible oil derived from the coconut palm fruit. It is a popular skin ingredient which acts as a good moisturizer.
  • Phenoxyethanol. Say what?! A preservative used in cosmetics and personal care products to prevent microbial growth and extend shelf life.
  • Fragrance. The dictionary says, “a pleasant, sweet smell.”
  • Polysorbate 20. A synthetic emulsifier commonly used in skin care products.
  • Magnesium Aluminum Silicate. A mouthful! A naturally occurring clay mineral which primarily helps thicken and stabilize skincare formulas, preventing separation.
  • Carbomer. A synthetic polymer commonly used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and other industries. It is known for its ability to absorb large amounts of water providing viscosity and stability. While generally considered safe, some concerns exist about potential skin irritation and its environmental impact, particularly as a microplastic. (Emphasis supplied.) Is this essential to the product?
  • P-Anisic Acid. Another say what?! It is an organic compound used in skincare formulations for its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory benefits.
  • Xathan Gum. Found in cosmetics like lotions, shampoos and toothpaste, where it acts as an emulsifier, thickening and stabilizing agent.
  • Sodium Hydroxide a/k/a Lye. Known to be caustic, it is generally safe in small amounts and small concentrations when used in lotions and other skincare products. “Its primary function is to help balance and maintain the pH of skin care products.” (Do we want lye, in any amount, on our baby’s bottom and, not to mention, my/your skin?! Another essential ingredient?)
  • Ethylhexylglcerin. Another say what! It is a multifunctional cosmetic ingredient used as an emulsifier, preservative enhancer, and skin softening agent. It may have antimicrobial properties. Often found in baby products. Bet you didn’t know that!
  • Titanium Dioxide. A widely used ingredient in skincare, primarily known for its UV-protective and pigment-creating properties. I started this quest because I was itchy and wanted to know what was in the lotion that soothed the itch. These 18 ingredients are chemicals. I am not a chemist but it seems to me that several of the ingredients do the same thing — like acting as emollients, emulsifiers, stabilizers and/or have anti-bacterial properties. And one or two chemicals may be harmful to our health and the environment.
    I also checked another body lotion I use and found that it contained 22 ingredients, some of which were the same ones listed in the baby lotion. Others were strange sounding, like C15-19 Alkane, a chemical derived from synthetic processes used for its emollient properties and ability to enhance product texture. (Yet another emollient!) And my dermatologist recommended another moisturizer which contains 24 ingredients, one of which is cholesterol. (Finally, a cholesterol with a beneficial effect?!)

So, the question I have is why have more of the same thing when less will do? Our skin is porous and absorbs these chemicals. Just how are they affecting us? And, let’s remember I was using a baby lotion.

I’ll end with the following advice which appeared on the back of the lotion’s plastic container: “Safety Tip: Keep out of reach of children.”