When it comes to our babies, only the safest, purest products will do.
After comparing baby food from the U.S. and France, it was obvious: French brands take food safety much more seriously.
But when we turned to everyday baby products (like detergents, wipes, toothpaste, shampoo, and diapers) the results were not what we expected. Many French baby products still contain harmful chemicals, fragrances, and unnecessary additives.
(What we discovered about diapers in the US may be even more surprising...)
At La Petite Creme, we believe that organic, non-toxic products should be the standard - not the exception. Here’s what we found when we looked closer. 👶✨
Baby Laundry Detergent: plant-based vs. hidden chemicals
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Dapple Baby Detergent (U.S.) uses plant-based cleaners and avoids synthetic fragrances, optical brighteners, and dyes.
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Le Chat Bébé Detergent (France) contains anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, phosphonates, perfumes, enzymes, and optical brighteners - ingredients that can irritate sensitive skin and are flagged for environmental concerns.
Why it matters:
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Optical brighteners and perfumes are completely unnecessary for babies and can trigger allergies, skin irritation, and even hormone disruption.
Baby Toothpaste: Safe if swallowed vs. early fluoride exposure
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Orajel Training Toothpaste (U.S.) is fluoride-free, safe if swallowed, and uses natural sweeteners like stevia.
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Elmex Kids Toothpaste (France) contains fluoride (500 ppm), synthetic sweeteners like saccharin, and other additives.
Why it matters:
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Early fluoride exposure for babies who cannot spit yet is risky and can lead to fluorosis (white spots on permanent teeth).
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Synthetic sweeteners like saccharin are controversial for young children.
Baby Wipes: Clean ingredients vs. perfumes and silicones
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Parent’s Choice Wipes (U.S.) remove alcohol, dyes, and parabens but include synthetic skin conditioners.
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Pommette Agility Wipes (France) use natural extracts like aloe and chamomile, but also add fragrance, dimethicone (a silicone-based softener), and polysorbates.
Why it matters:
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Even "natural" wipes can hide endocrine-disrupting chemicals under “fragrance.”
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Silicone additives (like dimethicone) create a film on baby's skin, which can interfere with natural moisture regulation.
Baby Shampoo: Mild cleansers vs. harsh surfactants
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Parent’s Choice Baby Shampoo (U.S.) uses tear-free, sulfate-free formulas without added dyes.
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Mixa Bébé Shampoo (France) includes sodium laureth sulfate, synthetic colorants, and multiple fragrance allergens like linalool and limonene.
Why it matters:
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Sodium laureth sulfate may be less aggressive than sodium lauryl sulfate but is still linked to skin irritation and contamination concerns (1,4-dioxane).
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Colorants and fragrance allergens have no benefit for babies and add unnecessary chemical exposure.
Baby Diapers: Ingredient transparency vs. regulatory gaps
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Pommette Premium Diapers (France) fully disclose their materials: chlorine-free pulp, breathable covers, no perfumes, no lotions.
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U.S. Baby Diapers are not regulated as medical devices or cosmetics, meaning companies are not required to disclose full ingredients - leaving parents guessing.
Why it matters:
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Without full disclosure, parents cannot know if diapers contain harmful chemicals like fragrance, petrolatum, chlorine residues, or endocrine disruptors.
Want a truly safe diaper routine?
We believe babies deserve better. That's why we created La Petite Creme Organic French Diaper Lotion - made with certified organic ingredients, free from mineral oils, petroleum, parabens, fragrances, and synthetic preservatives.
✨ It's the safest, purest choice for protecting your baby's delicate skin, naturally.
What we learned: France still wins for food - but baby care is another story
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In food, France stands out: strict regulations, clean ingredients, no hidden sugars or additives.
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In everyday products, even French brands still use unnecessary chemicals that don’t belong on delicate baby skin.
At La Petite Creme, we don't settle for "better than average."
We believe baby products should be:
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Organic
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Non-toxic
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Fully transparent
Because every baby deserves products made for their health, not just for convenience 💛