Do baby wet wipes contain phthalates that absorb through a baby's skin?

What's actually in it

Baby wet wipes are sheets of nonwoven fabric soaked in a liquid solution. That solution usually contains water, surfactants, preservatives, fragrances, and moisturizers. But it can also contain phthalates, a family of chemicals used as solvents and fragrance carriers. Phthalates help other ingredients spread smoothly and keep fragrances stable.

A baby's skin is thinner and more permeable than an adult's. Chemicals applied to the skin absorb faster and more completely in infants. Since parents use wipes on the diaper area, face, and hands many times each day, the cumulative exposure adds up quickly.

What the research says

A 2026 study in J Environ Sci Health used advanced analytical techniques (LC-MS/MS and LC-QTOF/MS) to detect phthalate compounds in commercially available wet wipes. The researchers found multiple phthalate compounds present in the wipes and performed a risk assessment to evaluate the health implications.

Phthalates are endocrine disruptors. They interfere with the body's hormone system, particularly hormones involved in reproductive development. In boys, early phthalate exposure has been linked to reduced testosterone and changes in genital development. In girls, it may contribute to early puberty.

The concern is especially high because wet wipes create a double exposure route. The chemicals absorb through the skin, and babies also put their hands in their mouths after being wiped, adding an oral exposure pathway.

Choose wipes that list "fragrance-free" and "phthalate-free" on the label. Even better, look for wipes made with just water and a simple plant-based cleanser. Or use plain damp washcloths for routine cleanups at home.