Which food additives should children avoid?

Artificial dyes, sodium nitrate/nitrite, high-fructose corn syrup, BHA/BHT, artificial sweeteners, and carrageenan in infant formula. Children have disproportionately higher exposure relative to body weight.

Which skincare ingredients are not safe for babies and children?

Avoid parabens, fragrance/parfum, oxybenzone, sodium lauryl sulfate for sensitive skin, and talc powders for infants. Use mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide) and fragrance-free products for young children.

Do food dyes cause hyperactivity in children?

The evidence suggests they can in some children. A key Southampton study found that artificial dyes plus sodium benzoate increased hyperactive behaviour. The EU responded with mandatory warning labels; the US did not.

Ingredients to Avoid for Kids & Children — Food & Skincare | Sketchy Labels

01 / FOODFood additives to avoid for children.

Children's relative exposure is higher than adults due to lower body weight and food preferences — a serving of fruit snacks delivers far more Red 40 per kilogram of body weight to a 4-year-old than to an adult.

IngredientVerdictWhy it matters for kids

Artificial dyes (Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1)Candy, cereal, sports drinks, fruit snacks

AVOID

Southampton study found these dyes increased hyperactive behaviour in children. EU requires warning labels. US does not.

Sodium nitrate / sodium nitriteHot dogs, deli meats, bacon, cured sausages

AVOID

Can form nitrosamines — probable carcinogens. Children have higher relative exposure due to body weight.

High-fructose corn syrupSodas, fruit juice drinks, flavoured yogurt

AVOID

Strongly associated with childhood obesity and fatty liver disease. Children's livers are more susceptible to fructose overload.

Aspartame, saccharin, acesulfame-KDiet drinks, sugar-free snacks, chewing gum

AVOID

Not recommended for children under 2 by most health authorities. May alter gut microbiome composition.

BHA and BHTChips, cereals, preserved snack foods

LIMIT

Potential endocrine disruptors. Children are more vulnerable during developmental windows.

CarrageenanInfant formula, chocolate milk, yogurt, plant milks

AVOID (infant formula)

EU has banned it in infant formula. Associated with intestinal inflammation in animal studies.

02 / SKINCARESkincare ingredients to avoid for babies & children.

Children's skin is thinner and absorbs more than adult skin — particularly in the first year. The same topical ingredient can deliver a meaningfully higher systemic dose to an infant than to an adult.

IngredientVerdictWhy it matters for children

Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben)Lotions, shampoos, wipes, sunscreen

AVOID

Endocrine disruptors that mimic oestrogen. Particularly concerning during hormonal development windows.

Fragrance / parfumMost scented skincare, wipes, shampoos

AVOID

Can hide hundreds of individual chemicals including known sensitisers. Go unscented for babies under 12 months.

Oxybenzone (chemical sunscreen)Many spray and lotion sunscreens

AVOID

Endocrine disruptor. AAP recommends mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide) for children instead.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)Shampoos, body washes, bubble baths

LIMIT

Strong surfactant that can disrupt the skin barrier. SLES is milder and generally better tolerated.

TalcBaby powder, some pressed powders

AVOID

AAP recommends avoiding talc-based powders for infants entirely due to inhalation risk.

03 / SAFESafe skincare ingredients for children.

These are well-tolerated options backed by paediatric dermatology guidance. When in doubt, fewer ingredients is better — especially for babies under 12 months.

IngredientVerdictWhy it's safe

Zinc oxide (mineral sunscreen)Mineral sunscreens, diaper creams

SAFE

AAP-recommended. Sits on skin surface rather than absorbing into the bloodstream.

Colloidal oatmealBaby lotions, eczema creams

SAFE

FDA-approved skin protectant with clinically proven anti-itch and soothing properties.

GlycerinBaby moisturisers, wipes

SAFE

Gentle humectant with no known concerns. Widely used in paediatric skincare.

Calendula extractBaby skincare

SAFE

Anti-inflammatory plant extract with a good safety profile for infants.

Shea butterBaby moisturisers

SAFE

Natural emollient. No known concerns for children.

Aloe vera (fragrance-free)Soothing gels, lotions

SAFE

Soothing and well-tolerated on children's skin.

04 / VERDICTThe bottom line.

Check LabelsSketchy Labels take

Fragrance-free, dye-free, mineral sunscreen. That covers most of it.

For food: read labels for artificial dyes, nitrites, and HFCS in snacks and processed meats. For skincare: choose fragrance-free, paraben-free, and zinc oxide sunscreen. The bar for infants under 6 months is higher — fewer ingredients means fewer risks.

Always consult your paediatrician or dermatologist for medical decisions about your child's diet or skincare routine.

Safe for kids.

01 / FOODFood additives to avoid for children.

02 / SKINCARESkincare ingredients to avoid for babies & children.

03 / SAFESafe skincare ingredients for children.

04 / VERDICTThe bottom line.

Fragrance-free, dye-free, mineral sunscreen. That covers most of it.

Keep going.

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Pregnancy-safe skincare.

How to read ingredient labels.