When we became parents we started out buying organic- or natural-sounding baby products that we assumed were safe for our little ones.  But my husband’s background in chemistry made us quickly begin to question the ingredients we discovered.  The more we learned, the more concerned we became.  We eventually decided to make our own baby lotion with the safest, gentlest possible ingredients!

As you’ll see below, we were incredibly picky with the ingredients we chose.  After all, they had to be good enough for our babies and yours!  Every ingredient had to be meet Whole Foods’ strict Premium Body Care standards and had to score low on EWG’s Skin Deep database.  We’re confident our lotion is as organic, natural, and safe as possible, while still going on easy, absorbing quickly, and soothing skin.

Organic Aloe Leaf Juice Extract (Aloe Barbadensis)   Organic Aloe Leaf Juice Extract (Aloe Barbadensis)

The aloe plant is a skin care superstar!  It contains over 200 nutritional substances, including 20 minerals, 20 amino acids, 12 vitamins, and active enzymes.  Because aloe is so rich in vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, C, E, choline, and folic acid, it’s great at protecting skin from dangerous free radicals.  It soothes skin, acts as an anti-inflammatory, and also protects the skin against UV damage.  What’s not to love!?

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Organic Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera)   Organic Coconut Oil (Cocos Nucifera)

Coconut oil, or cocos nucifera, is a natural oil extracted from the meat of the coconut fruit.  It’s recently gotten a bit of a reputation as a wonder substance and with good reason!  It has the distinction of being rich in a crystalline fatty acid called lauric acid which research suggests has anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties.  It is a natural moisturizer and also has anti-inflammatory benefits that may be helpful for blemishes.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Organic Olive Oil (Olea Europaea)   Organic Olive Oil (Olea Europaea)

Olive oil is a natural emollient, or skin softener, that contains several essential fatty acids our skin needs including oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids.  It’s also an antioxidant powerhouse being rich in vitamin E as well as polyphenols and phytosterols.  These antioxidants help restore skin to keep it smooth & supple, calm irritation, and provide anti-aging benefits.  A few studies have even shown olive oil provides some protection against UVB damage.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Plant-Derived Cetyl Palmitate   Cetyl Palmitate

Cetyl palmitate helps smooth and condition dry skin while preventing moisture loss.  It is a primary ingredient in the wax of sperm whale oil, but ours is 100% plant-derived, so even whales love it!

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Plant-Derived Sorbitan Palmitate   Sorbitan Palmitate

Sorbitan palmitate acts as a stabilizer, helping the various oils and water-based ingredients to remain soluble in one another.  Without this our products would separate over time, just like oil and water do.  And of course, ours is 100% plant-derived so nothing scary here!

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Plant-Derived Sorbitan Olivate   Sorbitan Olivate

As the name implies, sorbitan olivate is derived from olive oil.  It penetrates quickly and exhibits a very high moisturizing effect causing skin to feel smooth.  It also acts as an emulsifier, helping the various ingredients in our products to stay together rather than separating over time.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Plant-Derived Glyceryl Stearate   Glyceryl Stearate

Glyceryl stearate acts as a lubricant on the skin’s surface, giving it a soft and smooth appearance. It easily penetrates the skin and slows the loss of water from the skin by forming a barrier on the skin’s surface. It has also been shown to protect skin from free-radical damage as well.  In addition, glyceryl stearate acts as an emulsifier, helping to maintain the consistency of our products by preventing the separation of ingredients.  While glyceryl stearate is naturally found in the human body, ours is plant-derived, typically from palm kernel or soybean.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Organic Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)   Organic Shea Butter (Butyrospermum Parkii)

Shea butter is found in the nuts that grow on Shea-Karite tree, which exclusively grows in the tropics of Africa.  It is a fantastic skin conditioner and moisturizer, as well as offering some protection against UV sun damage.  In addition, it’s rich in vitamins A, E, and F, as well as antioxidants, giving it anti-inflammatory properties.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Vegetable Glycerin   Vegetable Glycerin

Glycerin is a humectant, meaning it attracts water to skin and helps it to feel smoother and softer.  However, studies have found that it not only attracts water to the skin, but also helps skin cells mature properly.  While glycerin is naturally found in the skin, ours is plant-derived.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Phenethyl Alcohol   Phenethyl Alcohol

Phenethyl alcohol prevents or retards bacterial growth, and thus protects cosmetics and personal care products from spoilage.  It is found in various essential oils, food, spices, etc. although ours is a β€œnature identical” version meaning it’s synthetic but chemically and biologically identical to the molecule found in nature.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Caprylyl Glycol   Caprylyl Glycol

Caprylyl glycol is a humectant (water attractor) and skin conditioning agent that draws in moisture and softens skin. It also function as a stabilizer and has been shown to increase the antimicrobial activity of other preservatives, such as phenethyl alcohol.  While it is naturally occurring, ours is a β€œnature identical” version meaning it’s synthetic but chemically and biologically identical to the molecule found in nature.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Ethylhexylglycerin   Ethylhexylglycerin

Ethylhexylglycerin is a skin-conditioning agent and also enhances the function of preservatives by affecting the cell walls of bacteria, promoting their destruction by the preservative.  While it is naturally occurring, ours is a β€œnature identical” version meaning it’s synthetic but chemically and biologically identical to the molecule found in nature.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
Plant-Derived Xanthan Gum   Xanthan Gum

Xanthan gum is a natural ingredient that adds viscosity and texture to our products, giving them more substantial texture and β€œfeel.”  It also stabilizing them so that the oil- and water-based ingredients don’t separate.  And, of course, it’s 100% plant-derived and gentle!

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Plant-Derived Hydroxyethylcellulose   Hydroxyethylcellulose

Hydroxyethylcellulose is a plant-derived polysaccharide, or carbohydrate, with a variety of purposes.  It’s a thickener that gives our products texture, as well as an emulsifier that keeps the various components from separating like oil and water.  It even has skin-hydrating properties. Win-win-win!

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Calendula   Organic Calendula Extract (Calendula Officinalis)

Calendula comes from the pot marigold, also known as the English marigold.  It has perhaps the longest history of use in skin care of any herb, having been used by the Greeks, Romans, Indians, and Arabs.  Not only is it a skin conditioning agent, it also has anti-inflammatory properties, helping to promote skin healing and repair.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Grapeseed Oil   Organic Grapeseed Oil (Vitis Vinifera)

Ah, the wonderful grape – so many uses!  Of course we all know it makes fantastic wine and jelly, but it’s also an excellent skin conditioner.  It is rich in antioxidants, including vitamin C, and has been shown to have some antifungal and antimicrobial properties.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Avocado Oil   Organic Avocado Oil (Persea Gratissima)

California’s favorite fruit, the avocado!  Avocado oil is an excellent emollient, or skin softener.  It is bactericidal (kills bacteria), has antioxidant properties, is a good source skin-repairing fatty acids, and is especially soothing to sensitive skin.  Even more reasons to love this green wonder!

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Sunflower Seed Oil   Organic Sunflower Seed Oil (Helianthus Annuus)

Sunflower seed oil is an outstanding skin-conditioning agent that softens and smooths the skin.  It’s also rich in phenolic acids, giving it the ability to provide some protection from sun and environmental stresses.  Sun protection from the sunflower?  Who knew!?

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Giant Kelp Extract   Organic Giant Kelp Extract (Macrocystis Pyrifera)

This wonder extract comes from a giant brown seaweed found in the Antarctic Ocean.  It helps to soften skin while also helping to retain moisture.  Kelp’s crazy ability to hydrate is believed to not only smooth skin but help prevent wrinkles.  It is also rich in iodine, minerals, and vitamins, giving it antioxidant and natural anti-inflammatory properties that can heal sun-damaged skin while also nourishing it.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Marshmallow   Organic Marshmallow Extract (Althaea Officinalis)

Marshmallow (or marsh mallow) is used for its soothing, moistening, and calming properties on the skin.  Its anti-irritant properties help calm and protect hypersensitive skin, relieving itching and promoting healthy skin development.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Dog Rose Fruit   Organic Dog Rose Fruit Extract (Rosa Canina)

Dog rose fruit contains linoleic, oleic and linolenic acids, antioxidants, vitamins, lycopene and beta-carotene C that offer incredible benefits to the skin.  It keeps the skin hydrated and supple, while also repairing and protecting it from free radical damage caused by the sun and other environmental toxins.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Rosemary   Organic Rosemary Leaf Extract (Rosmarinus Officinalis)

Rosemary leaf extract is rich in a bevy of minerals and vitamins including calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, and vitamin B1, vitamin B3 and vitamin C.  These and others give it fantastic antioxidant, anti-irritant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial, as well as making it a great moisturizer while also supporting healthy collagen development and fighting off skin-damaging free radicals.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Purple Passionflower   Organic Purple Passionflower Extract (Passiflora Incarnata)

Purple passionflower, or maypops, is a superior emollient, or skin softener, being rich in vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus.  It’s also rich in lycopene, one of nature’s most powerful antioxidants, and helps to repair and protect against sun damage, while also soothing irritated skin.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Chamomile   Organic Chamomile Flower Extract (Anthemis Nobilis)

Chamomile is well-known as a skin care superstar and its reputation is well-deserved!  It has both anti-inflammatory and skin soothing properties making it a fantastic skin healer, helping accelerate the healing of conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

     
 Jojoba   Organic Jojoba (Simmondsia Chinensis)

Jojoba – funny name but its skin benefits are no joke!  It moisturizes, softens, and improves the elasticity and suppleness of skin.  It’s been shown to aid skin’s ability to heal from damage, stimulate collagen production, and help skin better defend itself against UV light damage.  If that wasn’t enough, it also provides topical anti-inflammatory benefit making it great for dry, sensitive skin.

Whole Foods Premium Body Care IngredientEWG Skin Deep Database 1

We hope you enjoyed learning about the organic, safe, and natural ingredients we selected for our baby lotion.  We only chose ingredients that we’d trust on our own babies, and for yours!  Click the buttons below to share the goodness with a friend.

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