Children’s hair tends to be more fragile the younger they are. HIS Professional explains this is because the medulla – the lowest part of the brain and the core of the hair – isn’t fully developed. As it develops with age, this causes hair to become coarser and flattened. Until then, children’s hair tends to be finer, softer, and more prone to damage.

The type of products you use on your hair impacts its texture, appearance, and long-term health, so it’s important to be careful of what you apply to your locks, regardless of age. But given how delicate the hair of young children can be, it’s even more crucial to pay attention to the types of products you use on their hair.

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Below, we review what to look for as well as what to avoid when shopping for hair products for babies and toddlers.

Avoid: Products With Formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring chemical compound found in many everyday products, including haircare. It’s often featured in products that claim to straighten or smooth hair. Unfortunately, formaldehyde has been linked to a variety of health issues. It can irritate the nose, eyes, throat, and skin, and high levels of exposure have been linked to cancer.

Many chemicals are made from and release formaldehyde, so it’s not always explicitly mentioned in ingredients. Yarok Hair advises parents to avoid any of the following formaldehyde-releasing chemicals:

  • Formalin
  • Quaternium-15
  • Dimethyl-dimethyl (DMDM) hydantoin
  • Methylene glycol, imidazolidinyl urea
  • Diazolidinyl urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate
  • 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol)

Stick To: Products With Natural Butters

If you’re looking for a product that will help tame your child’s frizzy hair or make it feel softer, then stick to products that use natural butters. Healthline recommends ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, or mango butter, which will smooth hair as well as leave a slight scent without having the use of artificial ingredients.

Avoid: Products With Fragrances Or Perfumes

Products with a nice scent may seem tempting, but it’s best to avoid them at all costs. Artificial fragrances and perfumes are created using a variety of synthetic materials, which have been linked to endocrine disruptions, fertility issues, and skin irritation.

There’s also a higher risk of allergic reaction in products with fragrances, so it’s best to err on the side of caution and choose products that promise to be fragrance-free.

Avoid: Products With Alcohol

Many hair products contain alcohol in order to help de-frizz or straighten the hair or even to enhance natural curls.

While it may work at the moment, alcohol can damage hair in the long term as it dries out the strands. This, in turn, can make the texture less soft and contribute to fizziness. To get a similar effect without the long-term damage, stick to natural butters and oils

Stick To: Products With Natural Oils

There are many benefits to using hair oil – it nourishes and hydrates the hair, prevents breakage and fall-out, can soften and define curls, and improve hair growth.

But choose a product that uses natural, unprocessed oils (like coconut, jojoba, sunflower, or argan oil) versus artificial ingredients. That way, you get the benefits of hair oil without having to worry about the build-up of harsh chemicals that can damage hair health in the long term.

Simply buying a jar of unrefined coconut oil (that is not intended for cooking) and rubbing a bit in your palm before dispersing it throughout your child’s hair can do wonders.

Avoid: Products With Parabens

Parabens are another toxic ingredient to be on the lookout for. They’re preservatives, so they’re often added to hair products to extend their shelf-life. Parabens have been linked to a myriad of health issues, including hormonal disruptions, fertility problems, adverse pregnancy outcomes, and cancer, so it’s best to avoid them.

Avoid: Products With 1,4 Dioxane

1,4 Dioxane is a chemical compound that’s found in various beauty and cosmetic products. But research has found that it can contribute to organ toxicity, so it’s another ingredient that should be avoided.

Yarok Hair warns that this ingredient is rarely listed as 1,4 Dioxane on labels since it’s only formed when multiple chemicals come together, and so only those ingredients may be listed. The outlet warns to avoid any of the following ingredients in kid’s hair products:

  • Polyethylene
  • Polyethylene glycol
  • Polyoxyethylene
  • Sodium laureth sulfate
  • Ceteareth
  • Oleth
  • Oxynol,
  • PEG compounds,

Additionally, be on the lookout for any ingredients ending in “-xynol, ceteareth or oleth […] [or] with -eth [as well as] those containing the words laureth, laureate, [and] myrrh.”

Remember, everyone’s hair texture and type are different, so what works on one child may not on another. Oftentimes, it’s a game of trial and error to see what works. But don’t be afraid to do your research or speak to a hair care professional for more information on what will work best for your child’s specific locks.

Sources: Healthline, Yarok Hair, Natural Hair Kids, HIS Professional,