By Kevin Whelan, Johnson’s Scientist
When it comes to choosing the best—and safest–skin care products for their baby, parents often turn to the back of the bottle or packaging to help make informed decisions. Yet decoding the information on labels can definitely be a little tricky.
As a Johnson’s® scientist who regularly deals with packaging and the language used on it, I’d like to share four simple steps to help parents better understand a baby skin care product label.
1. Know the basics.
There are some fundamental rules that apply to all companies when it comes to labeling products. For example, ingredients are always listed in descending order according to concentration, so those listed first will be present in the largest amounts.
Skin care product ingredients are required to be labeled using their scientific names under the INCI (International Nomenclature of Cosmetics Ingredients) system. While the INCI names may seem obscure and inscrutable, they offer the most accurate way to identify ingredients. And just because an ingredient name looks a little scary doesn’t mean that it actually is. For example, did you know that Butyrospermum parkii is found in your favorite bottle of lotion? It’s better known as shea butter.
2. Be sure to look for certain ingredients.
Because baby skin is so delicate, parents should look for products that were designed specifically for them, and also make sure that they include ingredients to prevent breakdown and spoilage. We often hesitate to use a product when we see the word “preservatives,” but consider the fact that the single most common reason for a product recall is contamination from bacteria, mold, or fungus. This is why it is critical that baby care products, which contain water, contain preservatives.
3. Learn the difference between natural, organic, and synthetic ingredients.
Natural, organic, and synthetic only describes where an ingredient is coming from. They are not related to any environmental or healthcare benefits. It’s not always easy to identify the source of ingredients from looking at the label. Glycerin for example can be natural, synthetic, or organic. While some consumers look for natural products, know that most skin care products, including natural brands, use a combination of natural and synthetic.
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) certifies ingredients as organic. But listing USDA-certified organic ingredients on a product’s label does not make the finished product organic, as most organic skin care products use a mix of organic, non-organic, and synthetic ingredients. If you have questions, it’s best to reach out to the manufacturer.
Overall, the most important thing is to use products that are thoroughly evaluated for safety and appropriateness for babies. This is why it’s so crucial that products go through stringent laboratory testing and follow strict labeling regulations.
4. Go straight to the source(s) for information.
There’s a reason you’ll find a toll-free number on the label of most baby products—if you’re unsure about an ingredient listed on a label or have a safety concern, you really are welcome to reach out to us directly! (You can also learn more about JOHNSON’S® ingredient policies on our Safety Care and Commitment site and www.johnsonsbaby.com). And here are some great third-party experts who specialize in ingredients and labels, including:
- http://www.cosmeticsinfo.org/
- http://www.cir-safety.org/
- http://ec.europa.eu/health/scientific_committees/consumer_safety/index_en.htm.
******
Kevin Whelan is a proactive and versatile corporate professional with more than 15 years of high-profile global experience leading prominent organizations in fully leveraging regulatory, policy and government relations to achieve core business objectives.
Kevin began his career as a marketer for numerous multinational companies such as IBM, Columbia and Chopard. He then transitioned to marketing at Pfizer pharmaceuticals. During his time at Pfizer he was responsible for collaborating with business partners to develop policy positions on topics such as biosimilars, pain therapeutics, drug shortages and pediatrics. He was the therapeutic area lead, international regulatory liaison, executed advocacy strategies, coordinated roundtable discussions with KOLs, developed internal processes for coordination of comments on proposed regulatory changes globally, and developed public affairs strategies and implementation plans to drive greater access to products. Kevin then transferred to LinkPharma, where he was Executive Director of Business Development and Partnership Liaison with a focus on reviewing and recommending opportunities for regulatory and commercial success for potential product candidates in the emerging markets. Kevin joined the J&J Family of Consumer Companies in 2014.
Kevin holds a Master of Science Pharmaceutical Medicine from The Royal College of Physicians, Dublin, Ireland, a Diploma in Leadership and Authority from Harvard University Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts (Business Management) from William Paterson University, Paterson.
