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Review: CJ's BUTTer


Toddler Stash of BumGenuis 4.0
I recently just started cloth diapering about a month ago. My daughter is 22 months old and it may seem a bit late … but I’ve been pushing and advocating for this since before she was born and it’s a small victory for me to say the very least. Plus I have one more one the way due in August, so that helped my argument as well.

I currently have 20 Bumgenius 4.0 pocket diapers and haven’t yet gone outside the box with trying anything other diapers then those. I have been eyeing the AIO Grovia diapers and have been wanting to try simple prefolds as well.

As you may be aware cloth diapers need a special cream for sore butts – if you use the regular ol’ cream the diapers will start to repel, and the last thing you want is a diaper that repels pee!

And so the search was on to find the best and safest cream out there….

And cue CJ’s BUTTer.

Easter Morning in Bumgenuis 4.0


But let’s back up here just for a sec.

I never have been a fan of the ol’Desitin or A&D creams. I remember reading something about how creams like these might not be the safest for babies. Have you ever read the ingredients in these?

The ingredients in Desitin are:

Zinc oxide40%
BHA
Cod Liver Oil
Fragrance
Lanolin
Methylparaben
Petrolatum
Talc

Here are the ingredients of concern in Desitin:

(toxicity level is rated from Skin Deep cosmetic safety database on a scale from 1-10, 10 being the most lethal)

(1) BHA(level 10 toxicity). BHA is associated with cancer and hormone disruption in numerous studies. And since it carries Skin Deep’s very highest toxicity level, standing for “high hazard”, this answers the question “safe or toxic” outright.  It has been banned from cosmetics in the EU because of skin dipigmentation.

(2) Fragrance(level 8 toxicity). Fragrance is a term that designates an undisclosed combination of ingredients that purportedly give the product a smell.  As such, it can hide the existence of virtually any dangerous chemical.  We do know that synthetic fragrance contains phthalates, which are hormone disrupting chemicals that are making there way into the urine of 81% of the infants tested.

(3) Methylparaben(level 4 toxicity) . Methylparaben is one of the parabens, the most widely used preservatives in cosmetics. Parabens are hormone disruptors, also called “endocrine disruptors”.   Studies listed on Skin Deep show that methylparaben has been shown to interfere with gene expression, cause mutation in vitro, have brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses, and cause skin irritation at low doses.

(4) Sodium borate(4-6 toxicity level, based on product usage). This ingredient found only in Desitin Creamy is specifically designated as unsafe by the cosmetics industry’s own safety panel!  It states that sodium borate “should not be used on infant skin or injured skin.” (CIR, p. 228).  It has virtually all of the dangerous effects of the above ingredients combined!


And now cue CJ’ BUTTer …

I needed something safe for cloth diapering (though we don’t see many diaper rashes I still wanted to have something on hand) and I was pretty interested in getting the opportunity to throw this Desitin out a moving vechile. 

I searched and CJ’s BUTTer seemed to be the first thing I came across. I was thrown off by all the rave reviews (DiaperPin.com – it’s actually the highest rated product out of ALL products listed there) and thought something must be fishy. It’s never this easy to find exactly what you are looking for. But it was that easy!

I got the one on the far left. It's amazing


CJ’s BUTTer (from a WHAM company) comes in many forms. Tubes, tubs, sticks and sprays. I chose a 4 oz tube to start since I really didn’t have too high of expectations. They do have a HUGE list of different scents – I chose Love Spell – it smells just like the Love Spell from Victoria Secret!

There is a laundry list of uses for CJ’s BUTTer other just then plain ol’ rash prevention and healing….

chapped lips
raw irritated nose from a cold
rug burn on elbows and knees
shaving bumps
cracked heal/foot
eczema and dry skin

And CJ’s BUTTer is edible (although I don’t think it would taste particularly delicious) and is made with food grade ingredients. Which are:

Shea butter
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil (natural antibiotic and antiviral)
Lanolin
Beeswax
Cocoa butter
Vitamin E

I have to say, this is the first review I have ever posted. I’m glad it is for this product. It is seriously amazing! I ordered it from Sew Crafty Baby – she offers free (and fast!) shipping to the US and Canada.

7 comments:

  1. Anonymous5/11/2011

    Great post! I love the comparisons. I wish more people would think about what they are putting on their little babies. Just because it says "Baby" on it or is made by J&J doesn't mean it is safe.

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  2. I also use Bumgenius 4.0 on my dd. I use coconut oil to treat diaper rash, dry skin etc and it works great. Its also great in treating eczema.

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  3. I've heard that pure coconut oil works miracles too!!

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  4. Its amazing! I use organic extra virgin coconut oil on my eczema (got it on my knees after I had my dd) and it made the itching and redness go away instantly! Its also great for your hair and protecting your skin from the sun and aging!

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  5. Anonymous11/07/2012

    I tried extra virgin coconut oil on my son's eczema and it made it worse!! Is there something I'm doing wrong?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Abby - this is terrible!!

      When my youngest was going through the worst part of her eczema - at night, I gave her a bath and used olive oil on her skin.

      Olive oil is much more hardy or thicker then coconut oil - even shea butter might work better. But I would definately try out olive oil.

      On side note - have you considered what is causing it in the first place? .... avoiding dairy might be useful as well.

      Delete

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