
With the widespread use of wet wipes in daily parenting, the safety of the product itself has also attracted the attention of more and more parents. However, in actual use, many consumers pay more attention to brand, packaging, and fragrance, but ignore the most critical component of wet wipes-the composition of wet wipes liquid. In fact, the preservative system and additives in wet wipes liquid are directly related to the skin irritation and long-term safety of the product.
Preservative ingredients in wet wipes liquid and their potential risks
In order to inhibit the growth of microorganisms and extend the shelf life, preservatives are added to most wet wipes liquids. However, some preservatives have potential sensitization and toxicity risks when the skin barrier of infants and young children is not fully developed, and special attention should be paid:
Methylisothiazolinone (MIT)
It is a broad-spectrum bactericidal preservative and is widely used in adult cosmetics, but its sensitization rate is high, especially in infants and young children, it may cause contact dermatitis, redness, itching, blisters and other adverse reactions. Some parts of Europe have banned its use in baby skin care products.
Parabens
This type of preservative can be absorbed through the skin. Although its acute toxicity is low, its potential endocrine disruption and allergic reactions are still widely studied and controversial. It is recommended to use it with caution in baby products.
Phenoxyethanol
It is a commonly used preservative. Although it has a certain antibacterial effect, studies have shown that it may affect the liver and blood system at high doses. The French medicines regulator has proposed limiting the concentration of chemical raw materials used in wet wipes liquids.
Propylene glycol
It is a low-toxic solvent that plays a role in dissolving, moisturizing, and enhancing penetration in wet wipes, but its skin irritation and sensitization probability cannot be ignored. Studies have shown that about 5% of the population may have mild to moderate skin reactions.
Benzalkonium chloride
As a cationic surfactant, it has broad-spectrum antibacterial activity and is also commonly found in hospital disinfectants. However, in infant products, it may cause contact dermatitis or mucosal irritation reactions.
Summary: Parents should pay attention to the chemical composition science behind wet wipes liquid
With the popularization of the "ingredient party" concept, more and more consumers realize that the safety of wet wipes is not only determined by the brand, but the core lies in the composition design of wet wipes liquid. When choosing infant cleaning products, parents should read the ingredient list carefully, choose products with simple ingredients and complete safety certification, and adhere to scientific use methods to protect the healthy development of children's delicate skin from the source.
The selection criteria for wet wipes liquid ingredients should be based on the basic principles of low irritation, low sensitivity, and skin barrier friendliness.