I am delighted to be able to bring you the final results of the first TIPS testing of baby skincare products. This has taken more than six months of intensive work to complete. As many of you will know, alongside breastfeeding, baby skincare is my other passion and my published work on this subject has helped to change policy within UK maternity units.

There are 50 awards across the following seven categories and also three special awards (click on one of the links below to find out more):

• Overview
• Criteria
• Methodology

Overview
This trial is the largest carried out by my team of independent parent testers so far. The statistics of this trial are amazing in themselves with almost £2,000 worth of products sent out to 68 testers. 11 manufacturers kindly supplied 301 samples (52 products). Testers completed and returned 283 score sheets (an amazing 94% return rate). Well done to everyone.
I would like to thank each and every supplier for providing the samples free of charge for my testers to keep. Without their co-operation and confidence in the TIPS testing programme, this in-depth study of the best available baby products on the market today would not have been possible. I would also like to thank my team of dedicated parent testers whose comments and detailed feedback allow the TIPS testing programme to achieve a level of independence and impartiality that is second to none. I hope this will provide parents with a definitive list of products that are all safe to use and all comply with a water-only approach to baby skincare for the first month of life. [back to top]

Criteria
Each new category of products reviewed by the TIPS Award Scheme brings new challenges and baby skincare products were no exception. The following criteria were applied when allocating the awards:
• no award: score 65% or less. These products are not be featured in the final results
• Commended score 66 to 69%
• Highly Commended score 70% and over
• Best of the best highest scoring product in each category
• Best budget best value for money product within each categoryt
• Best innovative products that shine out from the rest due to some innovative feature that testers universally praised
• Best eco-friendly products manufactured by companies that take extra care to formulate using high proportions of natural or organic ingredients, ensure that their packaging that is recyclable and have an ethical approach to business that attempts to reduce their overall carbon footprint
• Best organic products certified organic in origin and made to the highest possible standards
• Top product highest scoring product
• Top brand highest scoring brand (taking into consideration the number of products submitted and testers’ comments)
• Editor's choice brand that, in the editor’s opinion, is worthy of an extra mention as an up and coming range
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Methodology
Testers received samples with: detailed guidelines explaining exactly what to look for in each product when carrying out the tests; score sheets with information about price, brand, distributor and ingredients for the product.
The following text was included in the testers’ guidelines: (Test one brand at a time, for as long as you feel necessary, before completing each score sheet. Please allow a few days between testing each brand).
As you probably know, I am passionate about baby skincare. I have been working on baby skincare for over 10 years. In 1996 I saw a short article in a journal asking whether we were using too many skincare products. This prompted me to research this subject in greater depth. Many of my papers have been published in midwifery journals (these are all available on www.tipslimited.com if you fancy a long read!). My work in this field has resulted in a change of policy in an ever increasing number of maternity units all over the UK. It is also backed up by recent national guidelines published by NICE (www.nice.org.uk ).
The basis of my theory is that everything placed on, in or around a baby‘s skin has the potential to affect the delicate natural barrier. If this happens, rashes, spots or worse still asthma, eczema and related allergies are likely to follow. The incidence of these conditions has increased year on year in parallel with the increase in sales of baby skincare products. It seems fair to assume this is no co-incidence.
My approach to baby skincare is to keep exposure to potentially irritating ingredients to a minimum in the early weeks of life (this is why I have decide not to test any products on babies under six months of age, even though they can be used after one month). This allows time for the natural skin barrier to develop. When products are introduced they are therefore less likely to sensitise young skin and cause problems. All companies supplying products for this category advise their customers that it is safer to use water only for the first month of life - this forms the basis of my new guidelines.
My Babycare - back to basics™ leaflet is now in its fourth version and contains the most up to date advice on all things relating to baby skincare. A copy is enclosed so please read it before you start testing.
I am thrilled to say that I have secured some wonderful brands for you to test. They all comply with my strict criteria and none of them contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), propylene glycol, parabens or phathates. I would prefer to see these ingredients excluded from formulations of baby products, as safer alternatives exist on the market. After all a baby’s skin is the most delicate it will ever be and we need to care for it accordingly. Where possible all products included for testing contain mostly natural ingredients, some are completely organic in origin. I realise this can make products very expensive so I have tried to include products that are safe to use as well as great value for money.
Please read any instructions that are included with your samples before you begin testing.
Below is a list of the criteria you may like to take into consideration when testing breast pads and breast treatments:
• Design: the design of the bottle or packaging may not seem vital to the success of baby skincare products. However, the shape of a bottle or the way the product is dispensed may impact on its ease of use. The use of recyclable packaging or glass rather than plastic is also another consideration.
• Information on packaging or supplied with the product: does the manufacturer include a full list of ingredients? Does the manufacturer give advice on how or when it is safe to use the product? Do they give you alternative uses for their product other than the obvious ones? Is advice or resources on how best to care for your baby’s skin or where to get expert help included?
• Information online: does the website provide a full list of ingredients for each product in the range? Does the manufacturer support the advice that only plain water should be used on newborn skin and for at least the first month of life? Does the website provide parents with useful tips?
• Feel and texture of product: does the product feel too thick or too thin? Does it have a grainy texture or does it have a sticky consistency? Is it easy to apply?
• Fragrance: does the product smell good enough to eat or would rather not sit too close to it? In order to be safe products should have minimal perfumes. This can be hard when we like to smell nice. Has this product got the balance right or could it be better?
• Ingredients: are they safe to use on young skin? Does the product contain artificial ingredients or is it completely natural in origin?
• Effectiveness: does the product do what it says on the pack? Did it cure the condition it was supposed to treat?
• Recommendation: would you recommend this product to other parents?
• Ease of use: some products may work well but be fiddly to use, while others may be easy to use but ineffective. Each tester should comment on what works best for them.
• Price: the RRP cost of each product will be supplied on your score sheet. It will then be up to each tester to decide whether this is cheap, expensive or value-for-money. In the final reviews I have added a price per millilitre so that it is easier to make a comparison.
• Availability: online, by mail order and on the high street.
• Adverse reactions: did you notice any adverse reactions when using this product (this may include rashes, spots or red areas caused by the product you are testing).
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First – Halos n Horns Berry Burst shampoo-detangler
RRP: £2.29 for 200mls
Cost per ml: 1.14p
Supplied by www.halosnhorns.co.uk
Overall score: 81%
Award: Best of the best

First - Weleda Children’s tooth gel
RRP:£2.50 for 50mls
Overall score: 80%
www.weleda.co.uk
Tested May 2008
Award: Editor's choice -

This all-natural tooth gel contains only the safest ingredients. It is free from any detergents, bleaches, foam boosters, whiteners, artificial colours, flavours or synthetic additives. Testers were unanimous in their praise for this product. From its subtle minty taste and fluoride-free formulation to its great cleaning power this is an all-round winner. Weleda Children’s tooth gel does not foam, which means that there is no need to spit. This is especially important as babies are unable to spit, and should they swallow some tooth gel, this is completely harmless. Although this product is for children, many parent Testers also enjoyed using it (an adult Weleda toothpaste is available). Testers were reassured by the eco-friendly credentials of this product, and its suitability for vegetarians and vegans too.

Testers’ top product
Aromababy Mother and child massage oil (89%)
www.aromababy.com