Can hidden plastic additives in baby skincare products get into your infant's skin?

What's actually in it

Baby lotions, creams, shampoos, and oils contain ingredients that help with texture, shelf life, and fragrance. But they can also contain plastic additives like plasticizers, UV stabilizers, and antioxidants that migrate from packaging or are used as processing aids. These chemicals often don't show up on ingredient labels.

What the research says

A 2026 study in Environ Int used suspect screening methods to look for plastic additives in baby skincare products. The researchers found dozens of plastic-related chemicals that weren't listed on product labels. These included phthalate esters, bisphenol compounds, and UV stabilizers.

Baby skin is thinner and more absorbent than adult skin. Products applied to a baby's body multiple times a day create steady chemical exposure during a period when organs and hormones are still developing. Some of the chemicals found are known endocrine disruptors.

Choose baby skincare products with short, simple ingredient lists. Look for products certified by third-party organizations that test for contaminants. Plain coconut oil or shea butter can replace many commercial baby lotions.