Top 3 Ingredients To Avoid In Kids Products!

June 02, 2023

Letโ€™s talkย about ingredients transparency

The practice of making false or misleading claims about a product's ingredients, their impact on health and/or the environment is often referred to as greenwashing. This is a particularly common practice in the cosmetics industry, andย natural kids' makeup is no exceptionย โ€“ Oh boy, donโ€™t we know it!

Parents who are interested in purchasing natural kids' makeup and bath products often want to ensure that the products they choose are safe and non-toxic. However, some companies may take advantage of this concern by making false or exaggerated claims about the natural ingredients in their products.

One common form of greenwashing in natural kids' makeup products is the use of terms like "natural" and "organic" and one look at the ingredients list and I roll my eyes as I scoff.

While these terms can be meaningful when used accurately, they can also just be used as marketing buzzwords without any authenticity to the product's actual ingredients!

Another form of greenwashing in natural kids' makeup products is the use of vague terms like "chemical-free" or "non-toxic." While it's true that many natural ingredients are safer than synthetic chemicals, the reality is that everything is made up of chemicals, and not all chemicals are harmful. Many children can also be allergic to natural ingredients, so reading an ingredients list is always a good start! Similarly, just because a product is labelled as "non-toxic" doesn't necessarily mean that it's safe for all children or that it doesn't contain any potentially harmful ingredients. Donโ€™t forget, there are loads of ingredients that can solicit negative side-effects that are deemed โ€œnon-toxicโ€ globally!

To avoid falling prey to greenwashing when purchasing natural kids' products, parents should look for products that are transparent about their ingredients.

Here are some of my top picks for ingredients to avoid (I wonโ€™t use them in products for my own kids!)

What is Phenoxyethanol?

This ingredient is in SO MANY products and is used as a preservative. Lotโ€™s of โ€œNaturalโ€ products contain this ingredient and it is one that I personally blacklisted a long time ago. ย It has the ability to cause an allergic reaction on skin. It is deemed โ€œsafeโ€ in tiny doses in each individual product, however, it can contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane which is a known carcinogen. The concern here is using lots of products with phenoxyethanol in it, which therefore increases your exposure. Check the products in your home, you will be floored with how many touch points you have per day! We choose to stay away!

What is the difference between Plastic Glitter/PLA Glitter and Bio Glitter?

Forget Plastic Glitter โ€“ it is so bad for the environment! And donโ€™t get me started on PLA which is greenwash central! PLA glitter requires a COMMERCIAL GRADE machine to break it down, it is not eco! Thatโ€™s why we chooseย The Glitter Tribe Bio-Glitterย which is home compostable! There are so many โ€œGlitterโ€ based cosmetic companies calling themselves Eco which are PLA โ€“ Ask the question!


What is Polysorbate (20,40,60 and 80)?

Yeah, this guyโ€ฆ This can be found in some foods, loo drops and lots of bath bombs that companies are advertising for our kids! And it comes with a side of potential allergies and immunotoxicity, developmental and reproductive toxicity and it is carcinogenic! So safe! Imagine allowing your kids to bathe in that! Great!ย Many โ€œbath bombโ€ products found with Polysorbate in them also contain synthetic colours such as CI47005 which is known to be irritating to the skin and eyes and may be an endocrine disruptor affecting hormone production in the body. Yey! ย *insert eye roll* And best of all, they are marketed as โ€œsafe, non-toxicโ€ and great for sensitive skin! *insert eye roll again*!

What ingredientsย should you look for in kids products?

Always read ingredients, always. Nothing frustrates me more than a product marketed as โ€œsafe, non-toxicโ€ or โ€œnatural and organicโ€ than reading through the ingredients and seeing that it is a straight greenwash. It happens All. The. Time!

Check out ingredients and start to learn about them so that you can make informed choices for your family! Bathing in hormone disruptors? No Thanks!

You are the greatest voice for your kids and information is key.

Have a question? Feel free to reach out to us at info@nonastieskids.co.nz and Stacey will be happy to help.

Xx Nat



Customer Reviews

Overall rating: 4.7 / 5 from 483 reviews.

Customer photo review of 3 Pack Water-Based Kids Nail Polish

My daughter absolutely loves painting her nails and even better it's low tox nail polish ๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜๐Ÿ˜ highly recommend!

3 Pack Water-Based Kids Nail Polish

Customer video review of Natural Deodorant Fresh Citrus 50ml

Love it! It smells like citrus (and fresh). Its not strong or overpowering scent but it definitely eliminates the odor which is perfect for kids (as i dont like mine smelling like adult perfume or scent). Definitely recommend and will buy more!

Natural Deodorant Fresh Citrus 50ml

Customer photo review of Bunny Nail Stickers

Going to get more coz they're so much fun to play with. My daughter loves putting new stickers every time she puts on her No Nasties nail paint

Bunny Nail Stickers

Customer photo review of Mini Makeup Brush Set

My daughter absolutely love playing with these brushes. They're so soft and gentle on little girl's skin. Highly highly recommend getting these if your little one loves playing with makeup and you want to get them their own.

Mini Makeup Brush Set

Customer photo review of Nala Pink Natural Pressed Powder Kids Makeup Palette Kit

Excellent company to deal with a lovely high quality products. Worth the price tag. Fast delivery and exceptional customer service. Great gifts for my niece and she LOVES her makeup so she can be just like her mummy. Very cool company!

Nala Pink Natural Pressed Powder Kids Makeup Palette Kit

Customer video review of Free Bio-degradable Tail Comb

Love this comb. I use it when I have to do her dance hair and so happy I decided to get it.

Free Bio-degradable Tail Comb

Customer photo review of Bio-degradable Tail Comb

The comb is the perfect size and it's handy. I can try cute hairstyles for my toddler now that her hair is longer.

Bio-degradable Tail Comb

Customer photo review of 3 Pack Water-Based Kids Nail Polish

My daughter and nieces can use these confidently and I don't worry about it being toxic for them. They're lovely colors and the girls enjoy them. Much appreciation!

3 Pack Water-Based Kids Nail Polish

Customer photo review of SLiCK KiDS Hair Paste

Amazing hold while still being gentle on Jordans hair when washing the product out. Highly recommend.

SLiCK KiDS Hair Paste

Customer photo review of Best Kids Detangler Brush

Our 9yo boy has shoulder length, curly hair, and high sensitivities (one reason his hair is long!). Brushing out the knots has always been quite an ordeal, and the preferred brushes from the chemist kept breaking due to the spring-like design. I was very reluctant to try a new brush without testing it first, given so many are rejected vertically straight away, but after researching this brush and watching online videos, gave it a go. He approved of this brush straight away and although hair brushing is still unpleasant, it is a soft and gentle brush that eventually gets the knots out. Expect to brush over and over a knot to remove it, but thatโ€™s the price to pay for a more gentle experience I suppose.

Best Kids Detangler Brush

Customer photo review of SLiCK KiDS Hair Gel

Perfect for slicking my girls hair back for Disney on Ice. Her hair is normally so all over the place!

SLiCK KiDS Hair Gel

Store owner replied: Oh my goodness so super cute! I hope you had the best time together.

Customer photo review of Makeup Brushes For Kids Twinkle Sprinkle Set

These are a decoy for my 18m old who loves my real makeup brushes just a bit too much. I supervise her as she plays, she loves threading hair ties onto the handles, inspecting the sprinkles inside and having her face brushed. These are SO pretty and such great quality I'm certain she will love using these for pretend play when she is older.

Makeup Brushes For Kids Twinkle Sprinkle Set

Even better than I expected! Bright colours, easy to use, stays on for a day or two but can also peel off straight away if needed. Also drys in a minute which was a huge win! My 3 year old is OBSESSED!

3 Pack Water-Based Kids Nail Polish

This is our third (maybe fourth??!) purchase from No Nasties, and every time we are blown away by how good your products are! We are particularly fans of your nail polish, we currently have 5 different colours here at home, and our last purchase was as a gift for a good friend! They went down a treat!!! Our 3 year old friend was delighted with them and she shared them at her party โ˜บ๏ธ

Bright Pink Water-Based Kids Nail Polish

My daighter loves using it and it was great to get a % off when buying something i wasnt sure she would lile, or if it would react to her skin. But its great.

20% off Gentle Starter Skincare Set

Super fast delivery, Love the smell , love that itโ€™s a fine spray and my son has no problem brushing his long hair now. Was always a battle

SLiCK KiDS Hair Detangler

Great organic lip balm! My daughter loves it and it keeps her lips moisturised!

Sweetie Pie Pink Lip Balm

Grandkids absolutely loved brushing their hair and were so excited and loved it so much, saying how their hair was so silky and smooth.

Hair Spray and Detangling Brush Pack

This brush works so well, has made brushing my 3 years olds hair so much easier! it was almost impossible before.

Best Kids Detangler Brush

Always a pleasure to shop withno nastie kids! my wee girl has the worst eczema and canโ€™t use any make up with your product she get to still enjoy being a little girl

Nixie Kids Makeup Set Purple

Definitely an improvement over all other brushes and combs we have tried to date. I do find that it "fluffs" the hair of my younger daughter and doesn't work as well on her knots as it does on my eldest daughter's straighter, finer hair.

Best Kids Detangler Brush

My 2 pre teens love the smell and how easy it is to apply! I absolutely love not having to worry about any harsh chemicals aswell! Such an awesome product and will continue ordering them when needed! Such an amazing product

DUO PACK | Natural, Aluminium Free Deodorant

Great wee gift for my 4yr daughter. She loved it! Good product, easily comes off which is super handy with kids! Will purchase again! โ˜บ๏ธ

Kids Water based polish and Nail Stickers Pack

Absolute game changer for us in the morning times. Paired with the spray, we no longer have screaming and fighting in the morning every time it comes to brushing hair!!

Best Kids Detangler Brush

We noticed that our daughter was occasionally experiencing body odour, but we didnโ€™t feel comfortable using adult deodorants on her. A colleague recommended No Nasties, and weโ€™re so glad they did. The deodorants work perfectly and give us peace of mind knowing theyโ€™re made without the harsh chemicals commonly found in traditional deodorants. A great, gentle option for kids. Highly recommend!

DUO PACK | Natural, Aluminium Free Deodorant

This spray is amazing, my 4 year old daughter has curly hair and gets the worst knots. I've tried other sprays but this is by far the best!!!

SLiCK KiDS Hair Detangling Spray | Strawberry

Best hairbrush we have tried so far for removing tangles without the complaints. My 11 year old loves it.

Best Kids Detangler Brush

My little grand daughter loved her play make-up set with the cute little bag and has enjoyed using it on herself and her favourite doll. As she has a fair, sensitive skin, its reassuring to know her skin will not be damaged by the products.

Nala Deluxe Pink Pretty Play Makeup Box

My 2yo daughter loves these. She is able to use the brush herself, its just the right size. Once it dries it peels off skin really easily. It doesnt last on the nails too long either which is great for her but I feel like as she gets a little older she will want it to last longer.

3 Pack Water-Based Kids Nail Polish

I bought this for my 10-year-old daughter to help her start a good face care routine. She really loves the cleanser and moisturizer, and it has helped her develop a good healthy habit of cleaning and moisturizing her face. I spent a long time researching various products looking for the best "clean" and chemical free ones to use. We are very happy with these products and would definitely recommend them.

Gentle Cleanser and Moisturiser Duo For Tweens

On to second spray bottle. First spray bottle lasted nearly a year so great value, brought with the brush....wat a game changer!! My Granddaughter absolutely loves it. Takes all the tangles out and leaves her hair smelling so good all day.

SLiCK KiDS Hair Detangler