Babies wear diapers nearly 24/7 in their first three years, during the most critical window of brain development. Everything in baby’s environment has the potential to impact development, for better and for worse. Especially the chemicals they encounter daily, which easily permeate and irritate baby’s thin skin and immature skin barrier. This is why diaper ingredients are so important.
As the first EWG VERIFIED® diaper, HealthyBaby has always been transparent about diaper ingredients and materials. Now some U.S. states have passed—or are attempting to pass—diaper ingredient transparency laws that will make this a requirement. As ingredient lists become more common, parents can finally see what’s intentionally added to baby diapers. But what these ingredients actually do and if they’re safe still isn’t always clear.
Keep reading to learn more about common diaper chemicals to avoid: what they are, why they’re used in many diapers, and how to spot them on diaper packaging. Rest assured that none of these potentially harmful chemicals are in EWG VERIFIED® HealthyBaby diapers.
Parabens
Parabens are synthetic preservatives used to prevent mold and bacterial growth. In diapers, they might show up in any lotion, wipe-like coating, or moisture layer built into the product.
Potential health harm: Parabens are known endocrine disruptors that mimic estrogen in the body. This can interfere with normal hormone function, particularly during the sensitive window of infant development.
On the packaging: Look for ingredients ending in "-paraben,” like methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, and isobutylparaben. The most reliable indicator that a diaper doesn’t contain parabens is the explicit use of “paraben-free” on packaging.
Phthalates
Phthalates are a family of chemicals used to soften plastics and extend the smell of fragrances. In diapers, they often appear in printed designs, elastic components, or in a fragrance blend.
Potential health harm: Phthalates are endocrine disruptors that may pose serious reproductive harm risk when in close contact with genital skin. Dibutyl phthalate (DBP) harms male reproductive development and can cause early puberty in boys, while diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) harms the reproductive system and can affect a developing fetus. A 2019 study by a team from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign found these phthalates in every conventional diaper brand tested.
On the packaging: Phthalates are frequently considered part of a product's "fragrance" and not disclosed as individual ingredients. The most reliable indicator that a diaper doesn’t contain phthalates is the explicit use of “phthalate-free” on packaging.
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VOCs (Volatile Organic Compounds)
VOCs are chemicals released from certain plastics and adhesives that easily evaporate at room temperature. Think: “new car smell.” In diapers, VOCs can off-gas from materials, glues, and printing inks.
Potential health harm: Long-term exposure to high concentrations of VOCs can damage the liver, kidneys, and central nervous system. Because babies breathe diaper-adjacent air at close range, even low-level off-gassing is a legitimate concern.
On the packaging: VOCs are invisible and unlisted. It's essentially impossible to detect them without lab testing, since even plant-based materials can off-gas VOCs. Third-party certifications like EWG VERIFIED® or OEKO-TEX® MADE IN GREEN are the best proxy for VOC screening.
PFAS ("Forever Chemicals")
PFAS (per- and polyfluorinated substances) are a class of synthetic chemicals valued for making materials water, stain, and grease-resistant. They've been found in the outer waterproof layer and leak-guard barriers of diapers.
Potential health harm: PFAS are called "forever chemicals," because they don't break down in the environment or the body. Research has linked them to immune system disruption, hormonal effects, and other long-term health concerns.
On the packaging: PFAS won't appear by name on a diaper. Look for "PFAS-free" claims, and know that even some brands marketed as "natural" have tested positive for PFAS indicators. The EWG VERIFIED® certification specifically screens for PFAS, among many other chemicals.
Fragrance
"Fragrance" is added to diapers to mask odors. It's one of the least transparent ingredients in the personal care industry.
Potential health harm: A single fragrance can be a mixture of hundreds of individual chemicals. Some, like citrus-scented limonene, react with ozone and form secondary pollutants, including formaldehyde. Fragrances can also contain phthalates and synthetic musks, both endocrine-disrupting chemicals. Essential oils are touted as "natural," but can be potent skin sensitizers that aren’t fully safety-tested. Pediatricians and dermatologists recommend avoiding diapers and wipes with fragrance.
On the packaging: "Fragrance" or "parfum" is a legal umbrella term on the ingredient list. Companies aren't required to disclose exactly what's in the fragrance. Be wary of "unscented" claims, too, since manufacturers sometimes add another masking fragrance to cancel out other odors. Only "fragrance-free" (not "unscented") reliably means no fragrance was added.
You might also like: Why Baby's Skin Microbiome Matters
Latex
Natural rubber latex, valued for its stretch and seal, sometimes appears in diaper leg cuff elastics or waistbands.
Potential health harm: Latex is one of the most common causes of allergic sensitization, ranging from mild skin irritation to serious allergic reactions. Repeated early exposure raises the odds of triggering sensitivity, which makes latex very risky in a product in constant close contact with baby’s skin.
On the packaging: Latex is a structural material that’s rarely disclosed by name. Look for "latex-free" on diaper packaging. Diapers with synthetic elastics, like spandex/elastane blends, are a safer option.
Lotions
Some diapers contain a built-in lotion layer, often marketed as a way to soothe skin or prevent diaper rash.
Potential health harm: Lotion sounds helpful, but having it baked into the diaper means a cocktail of skin-conditioning chemicals sits against your baby's skin, and you have no control over the formulation. It may adversely react with a diaper rash, eczema, or other products applied to baby’s skin. Dermatologists recommend skipping diapers with built-in lotion and opting for separate skincare products. This gives you control over the ingredients that touch your baby's skin.
On the packaging: Watch for "with aloe," "with vitamin E," "moisturizing," or "soothing" claims. These usually indicate an added lotion layer.
Unnecessary Dyes
Many diapers have colorful prints and designs, as well as chemical wetness indicators made with dyes. Both of these are purely cosmetic and introduce potential health risks, especially for babies with sensitive skin.
Potential health harm: Many dyes used in diapers have been linked to potential health harm or may be contaminated with toxic heavy metals. Because dyed areas sit in prolonged contact with skin, dye leaching becomes a repeated, low-level exposure.
On the packaging: Dyes are yet another ingredient that’s often hard to find on an ingredient list. Fortunately, you can see them for yourself. Heavily patterned diapers and diaper with wetness indicators contain unnecessary dyes. Diapers that are plain carry the least potential dye exposure. If a brand does use color, look for "dye-free" or "undyed" claims. A certification that restricts dye placement and content, like EWG VERIFIED®, is the closest thing to a guarantee.
You might also like: Why HealthyBaby Diapers Don’t Have A Wetness Indicator
Chlorine
Chlorine bleaching has traditionally been used to whiten wood pulp—the absorbent core material in most disposable diapers—so it looks clean and bright.
Potential health harm: Elemental chlorine bleaching can produce dioxins, a class of persistent environmental toxins, as a byproduct.
On the packaging: Look for diapers that are Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) or Elemental Chlorine Free (ECF).
Optical Brighteners
Optical brighteners are chemical additives used to make the diaper's pulp or backsheet look whiter and brighter under light. They work by absorbing UV light and re-emitting it as visible blue light, tricking the eye into seeing a "cleaner" white.
Potential health harm: Optical brighteners serve no functional purpose and are purely cosmetic. Some have been associated with skin irritation and allergic reactions, and because they're designed to persist on pulp fibers, they sit in prolonged contact with skin rather than washing or wearing away.
On the packaging: Optical brighteners are detectable by testing. One trick you can try at home: an optically-brightened diaper will glow slightly blue under a black light. The most reliable signal that a diaper doesn’t contain optical brighteners is a manufacturer's explicit "optical brightener–free" claim or EWG VERIFIED® certification.