There are moments when you look at your child
their skin
their hair
their hands
their body still growing into itself
and you realise how much of them is still developing.
They live in the same world you do.
They touch the same surfaces.
Breathe the same air.
Use the same everyday products.
But their body does not experience that world in the same way.
What passes through you quietly
can place a very different load on them.
And that difference matters.
The Problem Most Adults Don’t Realise Yet
Children are exposed to chemicals every single day.
Not through rare events.
Not through extreme situations.
But through ordinary life.
Shampoo.
Body wash.
Lotion.
Laundry detergent.
Cleaning products.
Air inside the home.
Dust on the floor.
Because these products are common and regulated, it is easy to assume they affect everyone equally.
They do not.
Children are not small adults.
Their bodies are still under construction.
This means the same chemical exposure can have a very different impact
depending on who is receiving it.
The Insight: A Developing Body Has Less Capacity to Cope With Chemical Load
There are clear, widely accepted reasons children are more sensitive to chemical exposure.
1. Dose is higher relative to body size
A small amount of a substance represents a much larger dose per kilogram for a child.
2. Skin absorbs more
Children’s skin is thinner and more permeable.
Warm water during bathing increases absorption even further.
3. Processing systems are still developing
The liver and kidneys, which help break down and remove chemicals, are not yet working at full adult capacity.
4. Exposure happens repeatedly
Daily use of products creates continuous low-level exposure that adds up over time.
This does not mean harm is guaranteed.
It means children have less margin for unnecessary chemical load.
What an adult body filters with ease
a child’s body must work harder to manage.
The Solution: Reduce What Adds Load Without Adding Benefit
You do not need to remove all chemicals from your home.
That is unrealistic and unnecessary.
What matters is reducing exposure where it offers no real benefit to your child.
Products that stay on the skin and are used daily matter most.
Shampoo.
Body wash.
Soap.
During bathing:
- skin is warm
- pores are more open
- contact time is longer
This makes ingredient choice here more important than in many other areas.
What to look for in children’s shampoo and body wash
✔ fragrance-free or very lightly scented
✔ short, simple ingredient lists
✔ products designed for children or sensitive skin
✔ gentle cleansing agents rather than strong foaming ones
Ingredients worth avoiding when possible
You do not need to memorise chemistry.
But these categories consistently add load without benefit for children:
✖ added fragrance or “parfum”
✖ strong foaming agents such as SLS or SLES
✖ antibacterial or antimicrobial additives
✖ artificial dyes and colourants
These ingredients are not always dangerous in isolation.
They simply make the body work harder than it needs to.
Small Steps You Can Start Today
Pick one.
Just one.
- Swap your child’s shampoo or body wash for a fragrance-free option.
- Use less product than the bottle suggests.
- Rinse thoroughly.
- Next, look at laundry detergent used for clothes and bedding.
You do not need to change everything.
One daily product change already reduces chemical load meaningfully.
A Gentle Closing Thought
Your child’s body is learning how to live in the world.
Every product used on their skin
every substance absorbed
adds to that learning.
When you reduce unnecessary chemical exposure, you are not being extreme.
You are being attentive.
Small, thoughtful choices
made quietly
and consistently
give a growing body more space to do what it is meant to do.
Grow.
Adapt.
And become resilient over time.
Sources include: WHO, Harvard Health Publishing, Paediatric environmental health principles & Dr. Bruce Perry
