Natural Baby Products That Don't Smell Like Dirty Hippies (Plus, They Help Kids With Autism)

on April 14, 2009 at 3:08 PM

I love the idea of using green products on my daughter, but I want her to smell yummy and delicious like a baby. Unfortunately, most organic and natural products on the market (for babies and for adults) contain a strong dose of essential oils, which to me, smell like eau de crunchy hippie un-showered person. Maybe I had a bad experience in college once. Anyway, a strong essential oil scent is not what I'm looking for.

I've settled mostly on Weleda products—the diaper balm, bath wash, and body lotion—and I also use Burt's Bees Apricot Oil. Yes, they contain essential oils, but they don't smell like essential oils. I'm happy with the products, but I'm always up for trying something else—like the new line of natural baby products I just heard about called Green Elly Skincare. The products are supposed to smell amazing and fresh, like a clean baby.

Green Elly was started by Elly's mom, Melissa Malcolm, who wanted non-toxic, but pretty products to use on her daughter. The products are natural (but not organic) and safe: They're free of fragrance and phthalates (which can cause allergies and have been linked to birth defects); they're also free of parabens (preservatives that have been linked to breast cancer) and 1, 4 dioxane (a chemical that's known to cause cancer and has been found in other brands of baby products). So where does the great smell come from? A subtle combination of essential oils, natural flavors, and shea butter.

The line includes Cuddle Me Clean Foaming Wash, Cuddle Me Clean Gel Wash, Twinkle Time Massage Gel, Sweet Dream Cream, and Cutie's Patootie Paste diaper balm. Green Elly is currently offering $2 to $3 off the regular price of each product, so if you like it, stock up.

Another great thing about Green Elly: Part of the proceeds from the Twinkle Time Massage Gel go to autism research. I think that's pretty cool, and since April is Autism Awareness Month, that's the first product I'm going to try.

What's your favorite brand of baby products?

About the author Suzanne Murray

is the Parenting & Political editor at The Stir/Moms Matter 2012.

Filed Under: baby gear, bathtime, green guide

Comments (16)

momtrends

on Apr 14, 2009 at 3:27 PM

I also like Erbaorganics. They have a great diaper cream that worked like a charm for us. I just ran a post on my blog with a discount code. You cna check it out here:

http://momtrends.blogspot.com/2009/04/erba-organics-coupon-code.html

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ThePearl128

on Apr 14, 2009 at 3:46 PM

Wow, I'm all about natural products, but not about offending people that use them by referring to them as 'dirty hippies...'

jeremysmom04

on Apr 14, 2009 at 3:54 PM

Essential oils are the best, most natural smells. I love lavender oil, and my babies smell delicious. Not all EOs smell like patchouli, which is what I'm sure you're referring to.

asiamommi

on Apr 14, 2009 at 4:19 PM

ROFL!!!

beachmamaof2

on Apr 14, 2009 at 4:40 PM

"That Don't Smell Like Dirty Hippies"
"eau de crunchy hippie un-showered person"

How rude! Talk about sterotyping...goodness if you were talking about any other group of people in such a way there would already be 100+ posts here FREAKING out and reporting it to CM! Be glad most "dirty hippies" are too laid back to allow your ignorance to bother them...

eye rolling

madamekatekate

on Apr 14, 2009 at 5:20 PM

...Some people need to learn to take a good natured joke.

aurorabunny

on Apr 14, 2009 at 6:39 PM

A lot of Burts Bees AND Weleda products aren't as organic and all natural as they say they are.

bad

I've never heard of Green Elly before. You should really check out Earth Mama Angel Baby; all of their products are completely natural, organic and AWESOME! And they smell slightly fruity and light, not like EOs.

ilovemyson2002

on Apr 14, 2009 at 10:12 PM

i have never heard of this before but would like to try it

Midnite00

on Apr 15, 2009 at 12:43 AM

wow, First off I don't have $54 for that. Stock up? right.

Sorry but you know us crunchy types......... we really don't care what you think cause we are in peace with ourselves

PS took a shower today.

I like the smell of patchouli, and what baby products have you been smelling?? Sure it was the baby products?

where do they pick this people for the Buzz blogs???

Nonmember comment from Tara

on Apr 15, 2009 at 1:01 PM

You're wrong about phthalates as allergens. Phthalates are a class of chemical not an individual one. What you've said in your posting is like being allergic to tomatoes and saying you should avoid all vegetables. And one phthalate has been found to be perfectly safe by heaps of authorities around the world. It is called DEP. There are a number of great websites that present both sides of the phthalate argument and I would recommend you educate yourself some more before making assumptions about an ingredient. Also, re essential oils I wouldn't have lavender essential oil anywhere near my baby's skin. It's been proven by scientists around the world to give boys breasts (called gynecomastia). So take care!