Product Comparison: Fresh and Easy vs. Johnson's

Though I didn't originally plan to post anything regarding baby products, as of last night I've felt a desire to help dispel the concept that Johnson's baby products are gentle, natural, or even anything approaching safe. Many makeup users advocate using their shampoo to cleanse brushes, and doctors still use their products on newborns in hospitals, as well as recommending their use in the home. Unfortunately, as with many of today's pharmaceutical and cosmetics corporations, they prey on the fact that a majority of US consumers are ignorant of the chemicals placed in their products.

Case in point - here is a product I stumbled across yesterday at the local Fresh and Easy grocery store. Sure, it's not a fancy brand name, but just take a look at the ingredients it contains: Olive Oil, Beeswax, Shea Butter, Jojoba Seed Oil, Oak Kernel Oil, Safflower Seed Oil, Aloe Leaf Extract, Lavender Extract, Chamomile Flower Oil, Ylang Ylang Flower Oil, Bitter Orange Flower Oil. That's it! No unnecessary fillers, all natural ingredients. And at $3.99 for a generous 2.5 oz. container, I couldn't help but buy it for myself - despite the packaging, it's proven to be an effective, light, and fragrant moisturizer for my dry hands.

By comparison, let's take a look at the ingredients list for Johnson's Bedtime Lotion, a product that I found camped out right next to Fresh and Easy's natural baby balm, and priced only 40 cents less:

• Water
  
• Propylene Glycol - a suspected carcinogen and skin irritant
• Myristyl Myristate - yet another suspected carcinogen and skin/lung irritant
  
• Oleic Acid - derived from animal fat
  
• Glyceryl Stearate
• Stearic Acid - a fatty acid also derived from animal fat
  
• Polysorbate 61
  
• C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
• Dimethicone
• Isopropyl Palmitate
• Sorbitan Stearate
• Cetyl Alcohol - derived from sperm whales or dolphins
  
• Stearyl Alcohol
• Synthetic Beeswax - cheaper than its natural counterpart, and less beneficial as well
  
• Benzyl Alcohol - rated as a high hazard by the EWG, listed as a known neurotoxin
  
• Carbomer
• Methylparaben - rated as a high hazard by the EWG, banned in the European Union due to its known toxicity in humans
  
• Propylparaben - potential endocrine disruptor, carcinogen
  
• Butylparaben - potential endocrine disruptor, carcinogen
  
• BHT - rated as a high hazard by the EWG, possible carcinogen and known toxicant
• Fragrance - includes any synthetic fragrances placed in products, listed as a high hazard due to lack of ingredient disclosure, allergic reaction risk and neurotoxicity potential
  
• Sodium Hydroxide - potential neurotoxin
  

And so, what are young mothers across the country to do with this chemical-ridden concoction? Here's what the folks at Johnson's have to say: "To help your baby sleep better at night, gently massage Johnson's Bedtime Lotion over your baby's entire body as a part of his or her nightly routine. The calming aromas and your soothing touch will relax your baby for bed."

Am I the only one who finds this disturbing?