The rumor that there are "numbing agents" in Johnson's Baby Shampoo
has been around for many decades. I remember having heard this in the
1960s. These days, widely distributed e-mails are feeding the rumor
mill. There is no truth to the rumor. Johnson's Baby Shampoo and Baby
Wash products are simply formulated with detergent chemicals that are
less irritating to the eyes. No special numbing agents have been
added.
"I received an email that said the reason why JOHNSON'SŪ Baby Shampoo
was gentle to the eyes was because it contains numbing agents that
numbs the eyes if contact occurs.
The assertion that chemicals are added that numb the baby's eyes is
totally false. The reason JOHNSON'SŪ shampoo formulas do not irritate
the eyes is the mildness of the formulation, which has undergone
extensive clinical testing and has proven to be as gentle to the eyes
as pure water."
Johnson's Frequently Asked Questions
http://www.johnsonsbaby.com/faq#23
Rumors like this one are, I think, partly due to the long list of
chemical names that appear on the labels of many products. What the
heck are all those chemicals? What do they do? I have compiled a list
of the ingredients of Johnson's Baby Shampoo, with brief descriptions
of the function of each ingredient:
Water, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium
Trideceth Sulfate, Glycerin, Lauroamphoglycinate, PEG-150 Distearate,
Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate, Fragrance, Polyquaternium-10,
Tetrasodium EDTA, Quaternium-15, Citric Acid, D&C Yellow #10, D&C
Orange #4.
---------------------------
Water: Most cosmetics and liquid shampoos contain water as the #1
ingredient. If they did not, the product would be so thick and goopy
that it would be difficult to get out of the bottle, and would be very
unpleasant to apply.
---------------------------
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate: This is a detergent-like chemical that
functions as a surfactant. Basically that means that it serves as a
"wetting agent" to help reduce surface tension in the water and
promote smooth spreading of the shampoo. This is a gentler surfactant
than the chemical that is used in many shampoos, sodium lauryl
sulfate. Surfactants help to remove grease and cleanse the hair. Some
are mild, some are harsh; Johnson's Baby Shampoo has several of the
milder surfactants in its ingredients.
"Nonionics such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) esters can play a number
of roles in a shampoo system. For example, PEG-80 sorbitan laurate
promotes mild cleansing..."
Chemical and Engineering News: What's That Stuff?
http://pubs.acs.org/cen/whatstuff/print/8015sci3.html
"Chemical/CTFA Name: PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
Applications: Reduces irritancy of baby shampoos and children's bath
care products."
Oilchem, Inc: Nonionic Surfactant
http://www.oilchem.com/prod_list.cfm?ind=personal&type=Nonionic%20Surfactants
---------------------------
Cocamidopropyl Betaine: Another surfactant, or wetting agent. It helps
to stabilize the foam in the shampoo.
"Used in shampoos, bubble baths and liquid handsoaps. Provides good
foaming and foam liquid stabilization with excellent wetting
properties."
Chemistry Store: Cocamidopropyl Betaine
http://www.chemistrystore.com/cocamidopropyl_betaine.htm
---------------------------
Sodium Trideceth Sulfate: Yet another surfactant.
"Sodium Trideceth Sulfate
- A mild cleansing agent
- Conditioning properties"
Royal Heirs (cached page)
http://web.archive.org/web/20020321060823/http://www.royalheirs.com/products/glossary.html
---------------------------
Glycerine: Glycerine is a humectant, or moisturizer.
"Glycerine is a natural humectant derived from vegetable fatty acids
that draws vital moisture to the skin."
Scented Boutique: FAQ
http://www.scentedboutique.com/thymesfaq.html
---------------------------
Lauroamphoglycinate: An "amphoteric" surfactant.
"The key property of amphoteric surfactants is that they generally are
very compatible with aqueous ions and resistant to both acids and
alkalis. Because of this they are often used for foaming, wetting and
emulsification in personal care products."
Dongnam Chemical, Ltd: Amphoteric Surfactants
http://www.dongnamchem.com/eng/products/pro4.php3
---------------------------
PEG-150 Distearate: A surfactant that serves as a thickener and emulsifier.
"Thickener (PEG 150 Distearate) - This non-ionic surfactant is an
excellent emulsifier. Works well in shampoos and body wash."
The Herbarie: Emulsifiers and Thickeners
http://www.theherbarie.com/emulsfy.html
---------------------------
Sodium Laureth-13 Carboxylate: Another emulsifying surfactant.
"Mild and compatible to cationics... Used in shampoos and personal
care products containg cationic conditioners."
Oilchem, Inc: Anionic Surfactants
http://www.oilchem.com/prod_list.cfm?ind=personal&type=Anionic%20Surfactants
---------------------------
Fragrance: This product is very lightly scented, compared to most shampoos.
---------------------------
Polyquaternium-10: A conditioning, moisturizing, and antistatic agent.
"Polyquaternium 10, Polyquaternium 7: Helps add volume and
conditioning. Acts as a moisturizing film that protects. Excellent
antistatic."
Duurstede: New Products
http://www.duurstede.ca/newproducts.html
---------------------------
Tetrasodium EDTA: A chelating agent that helps promote cleaning in hard water.
"Chelating agent and stabilizer used to prevent physical or chemical
changes in texture and appearance of product. Used in detergents
because it bonds hard water ions and prevents them from interfering
with their cleaning action."
Candle Supply: Bath Ingredient Dictionary
http://www.candlesupply.com/bathdictionary.html
---------------------------
Quaternium-15: This is a preservative that helps prevent the growth of
bacteria and fungus in the shampoo. Some people are allergic to this
ingredient.
"Quaternium-15 is a preservative found in many cosmetics. It is a
water soluble anti-microbal agent that has proven active against
bacteria, but less active against yeasts."
Beauty Magazine Online: Sensitising Cosmetic Ingredients
http://www.beautymagonline.com/pages/sensitisers.htm
---------------------------
Citric Acid: Adjusts the pH of the shampoo to help smoothe the hair. A
slightly acid pH is desirable so that the hair will be sleek and shiny
in appearance.
"Citric Acid... has a two fold reason for addition. Shampoos usually
are at pH 5.5 because at slightly acidic pH the scales on a hair
follicle lay flat making the hair feel smooth and look shiny. Citric
acid is used to adjust the pH down to 5.5 (ish). It is a fairly weak
acid which makes the adjustment easier. it also has a small amount of
preservative action. Citric acid as opposed to any other acid will
prevent bacterial growth."
Finishing: Why Is Citric Acid in Shampoo and Conditioner?
http://www.finishing.com/66/95.shtml
---------------------------
D&C Yellow #10 and D&C Orange #4: These are coloring agents that give
the shampoo its golden color. Both have been approved by the U.S. Food
& Drug Administration under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act.
D&C Yellow #10 is also known as "Quinoline Yellow," and Orange #4 is
also known as "Orange II."
Thomas Register: Alfa Chem Product List
http://www.thomasregister.com/olc/alfachemical/prod17.htm
---------------------------
As you can see, each of the ingredients of Johnson's Baby Shampoo has
a purpose, and none of the ingredients is present for the purpose of
numbing the eyes. The Baby Wash product is quite similar in formula,
and likewise contains no numbing chemicals.
But couldn't there be secret, unlisted ingredients? Even if numbing
additives were considered appropriate by the company, the risk of
exposure and the dire consequences to the company's reputation and
subsequent sales would make this highly unlikely. None of the listed
ingredients is an anaesthetic or numbing agent. If numbing chemicals
were to be secretly sneaked into the formula, the U.S. Food & Drug
Administration would come down hard and heavy on the company, and
Johnson's good name would be ruined for all time.
Another thing to consider is this: if the rumor were true, Johnson's
many competitors would be onto it like a hen jumping on a junebug.
Consumer watchdog agencies would be screaming for an investigation.
News stories would abound in legitimate news sources, not just in
anonymous emails. You need have no more doubts about "No More Tears."
My Google search strategy:
Google Web Search: numbing johnson "baby shampoo"
://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=numbing+johnson+%22baby+shampoo%22
I hope this is helpful! If anything is unclear or incomplete, please
request clarification; I'll gladly offer further assistance before you
rate my answer.
Best regards,
pinkfreud |
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