Regular Hand Wash Vs Organic: What's The Better Choice?

Pregnancy is one of the most crucial stages; hence, it is important to look over every detail, including your hand wash. Here's how to pick one that is best for you. On average, 50% of people wash their hands more than 10 times a day. Especially during pregnancy, this hygiene is not only a requirement but a dire necessity. You can avoid a plethora of infections simply by washing your hands regularly and avoiding the spreading of germs. Every new parent understands the importance of practising proper hand hygiene. By using a toxin-free and natural hand wash before handling your baby, you can ensure that your baby is protected from germs and infections. Even when you go outdoors and feel the need to clean your hands, be certain to use a baby-safe, vegetarian hand sanitiser.

Organic hand washes and hand sanitisers can be a bit on the expensive side, but they are totally worth the investment, not just for the safety of your baby, but for the overall health and well-being of a mom-to-be as well. Most expecting mothers usually opt for natural, pregnancy-safe products, and they're not wrong. According to HealthLine, pregnant women are prone to infections due to germs, and it is advisable to steer away from chemical products and avoid unnatural ingredients altogether.

At this stage, selecting the correct hand wash is very crucial. Yours and your baby's health highly depends on the products you use and their components.

^{During pregnancy, selecting the correct hand wash is very crucial}

(Also read: Make Hand Washing Fun For Kids With These Tips And Tricks)

Major Chemicals Present In Hand Washes

1. Paraben

According to Force of Nature, an increased amount of paraben can be cancerous. The main objective of having paraben in any product is to increase its shelf life and avoid decay. So even though a longer-lasting product seems like the better one, make sure to find out the exact chemicals that make a hand wash immune to decay.

2. Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)

Sodium lauryl sulphate or SLS is an ingredient that makes the product foam. Even though the foam seems satisfying, according to One Green Planet, it is highly toxic and can lead to irritation, reproductive toxicity, cellular changes, and can also lead to mutations and cancer. Due to all this, it is imperative to avoid SLS and other hazardous chemicals like Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) and Triclosan when choosing baby-safe hand washes.

3. Fragrances

Since each fragrance is made up of hundreds of chemicals, there is no way to know which chemicals have actually been used. But it is certain that all of these chemicals come along with severe side effects such as hormone disruption, birth defects, and developmental toxicity, all of which can harm your baby's health.

(Also read: An Essential Guide To Teach Children The Correct Way To Wash Their Hands)

What's The Solution?

So what other option is there? As an expecting mother, you can always opt for zero-chemical, plant-based organic hand washes that are made up of 100% natural ingredients. These are not only good for you, but also for the health of your baby as they shield you from all illness-causing germs. So even though it seems like a minor detail, hand washes are extremely important to keep your environment baby-safe.

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