I never cease to be amazed at the lack of ethics of the pharmaceutical companies and much of the rest of the medical industry. Making a profit is clearly the major objective; service is often merely a convenience. Johnson and Johnson (J & J) are not an exception.
In the February 2013 issue of the Journal of Obstetric, Gynecologic and Neonatal Nursing, the J & J funded a study stating that there was no difference in the water loss across the skin and that the amount of water in the skin was slightly higher than when water alone was used. While tis minor finding is of come interest, it never addresses the fact that the product is laden with a number of ingredients that are toxic. This evidence is then used to suggest the product is a good idea. Hello!!
Shame on J & J for submitting an article of such low quality and shame on the journal editors for accepting an article that is so misleading in terms of supporting Top to Toe Wash, which has so many toxic ingredients that it has on the label a safety tip that says, "Keep out of reach of children." In addition, this study looked at hydration of baby skin at two weeks after usage; we have no data on the long term effects, especially considering that the average baby has a life expectancy of about 80 years!
Because a neonate's skin is so permeable and more vulnerable to environmental toxins, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) advises that baby wash be avoided during the first 6 weeks after birth.
