Seventh Generation: Wipes For Errybody!

Wipe That Look Off Your Face

Wipes are an essential part of life, often one that you don't learn the true wonder and beauty of until after you have children. Oh, they need a diaper? Grab the wipes. Oh, they just decided to fling peas in Dad's face? Grab the wipes. They have used their sibling as a canvas to create their masterpiece: "All Shades of Mom's Makeup-A Compilation"? Grab the wipes. 

Wipes aren't super easy for everyone though. Many people (and little ones) have very sensitive skin which makes fragrances, certain preservatives and even alcohol a big no-no. Often even the wipes on the market that are directed towards individuals with sensitive skin are just not cutting it. 

I ran into an issue recently when I decided to use my six month daughter's "sensitive skin" baby wipes to remove my makeup in a pinch. While she has no negative reactions to them herself my entire face (especially an inch around my eye area) burned like fire for hours afterwards-talk about questioning what I use to clean her delicate bottom. 

When I got the option to try Seventh Generation's "Free And Clear" wipes I decided to take it. They sent me a few small packs for free-enough to test in several different situations. These wipes are cruelty free, no parabens (a preservative that has been widely scrutinized lately for its potential dangers), no phenoxyethanol (a germicidal glycol preservative) and no alcohol.

So if it doesn't have any of that what does it have? Well, water. Water, a plant based cleaning agent called "cocomidopropyl pg-dimonium chloride phosphate" which is naturally derived from coconut oil, citric acid, saponaria wood extract, aloe extract, vitamin E and sodium benzoate. 

Where it got me was the "Sodium Benzoate". This is another questionable ingredient.

 Let's compare this then to the ingredients in Parents Choice Sensitive Skin wipes: 

Water, the same plant based cleaning agent (our friend cocomidopropyl pg-dimonium blah blah), glycerin (naturally occuring alcohol compound), calendula officinalis flower extract (marigold extract known for its anti-inflamatory properties),  bisabolol (a natural occuring scent ingrediant in chamomile), chamomile flower extract, aloe leaf extract, tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E based), phenoxyethanol (that germicidal glycol preservative), iodopropynyl butylcarbamate (a water-soluble preservative that has been scrutinized), simethicone (an anti foaming agent often used to fight gas in babies when administered orally) and citric acid.

So these two wipes have a lot in common really. They both use water and our friend Coco Mido as their first two ingredients, they both use citric acid, aloe and vitamin E. Seventh Gen uses wood extract, Parents choice goes the chamomile route. They both have ingredients people dislike and they BOTH use preservatives. The main difference between the two is that one uses alcohol and the other does not. So...recap time.

All In All: 8/10 🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈🌈

The Good: These work! They were non-irritating to my face, they were non-irritating to my daughter and they clean well. They are a bit more damp than other wipes, which can come in handy.

The Bad: There isn't much. The only reason I have any issue at all is that they contain sodium benzoate and to have that is a bit like throwing stones and owning a glass house since it is known to have issues as well.

Where You Can Find It: www.seventhgeneration.com, Target, Babies R Us, Walgreens. 

INTERESTING FACT: These wipes are made in Arkansas!

I'd recommend them if you have sensitive skin and don't like the Parent's Choice wipes, they are fairly inexpensive ($2.99 for a 64 count and less if you buy bigger packages). 

Thank you to everyone for reading and stay awesome!

-Maggielomaniac 🌈