Are You Using This Popular But Cancer-Causing Shampoo for baby ?

For the past two years, health and environmental groups have been urging Johnson & Johnson to remove two potentially cancer-causing chemicals from its baby shampoo.
One of these ingredients is quaternium-15, which releases formaldehyde; a skin, eye, and respiratory irritant, and a known carcinogen (formaldehyde exposure has been associated with leukemia specifically).
The other, 1,4-dioxane, is a "likely carcinogen,"
and is present in Johnson & Johnson's:
Baby Shampoo
Oatmeal Baby Wash
Moisture Care Baby Wash, and
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Creamy Wash
According to the CDC, 1,4 dioxane is "probably carcinogenic to humans," and is toxic to your brain, central nervous system, kidneys and liver.
What to Look for to Avoid Formaldehyde and 1,4-Dioxane
If you want to avoid formaldehyde-releasing ingredients and 1,4-dioxane, you need to know what to look for as they're NOT listed on the label; at least not in those words. 


Common ingredients likely to contaminate products with formaldehyde include:

  • Quaternium-15
  • DMDM hydantoin
  • Imidazolidinyl urea
  • Diazolidinyl urea
  • To avoid 1,4-dioxane, watch out for these ingredients, which create 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct:

  • PEG-100 stearate
  • Sodium laureth sulfate
  • Sodium myreth sulfate
  • Polyethylene
  • Ceteareth-20
Other Hazardous Ingredients to Watch Out for

It's unfortunate, but personal care products, including those specifically designed for babies, can contain a number of hazardous ingredients. Other common culprits to avoid include:

Any chemical that include the clauses “xynol,” “ceteareth” and “oleth”
Diethanolamine or DEA, a potentially cancer-causing agent. DEA also readily reacts with nitrite preservatives and contaminants to create nitrosodiethanolamine (NDEA), a known and potent carcinogen. The chemical also appears to block absorption of the nutrient choline, which is vital to brain development.
Propylene Glycol. Despite the fact the material safety data sheet warns users to avoid skin contact with propylene glycol as it is a strong skin irritant and can also cause liver abnormalities and kidney damage, it's a common ingredient in shampoos.
Parabens. These preservatives may be listed on the label as methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, propyl paraben, butyl paraben, isobutyl paraben or E216. They have shown particularly troubling links to cancer. 

Studies have shown that parabens can affect your body much like estrogens, which can lead to diminished muscle mass, extra fat storage, and male gynecomastia (breast growth). Other studies have also linked parabens to breast cancer, as researchers found traces of parabens in every sample of tissue taken from 20 different breast tumors. The EPA has linked methyl parabens in particular to metabolic, developmental, hormonal, and neurological disorders, as well as various cancers.


The issue of potential toxins lurking in shampoos, soaps, lotions and other personal care products is a serious one, as your skin readily absorbs these chemicals, allowing them directly into your blood stream. When absorbed, they can actually do more harm than if you were to swallow them.