ZO + Sutter Health Hospitals: Celebrating the First (Non-toxic) Bath

The skin of a newborn is so perfectly delicate and soft… and ah! Those cheeks and leg rolls! We can’t get enough.

But did you know that the structural and functional differences between the skin of an infant and that of an adult make infant skin more susceptible to microbial and chemical invasion? You’ve probably heard that our skin is our largest organ, and that a significant percentage of what we put on our skin is absorbed into the body – how much more so in the case of brand new infant skin!

A newborn baby’s skin has decreased barrier functionality, higher trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL), increased absorption of chemicals through the skin, higher susceptibility to toxicity through the skin, increased risk of hormone disruption, higher incidence of atopic dermatitis and a higher susceptibility to UV radiation damage. Yeah.

It is remarkable how many hospitals are still slathering potentially harmful products on newborns within minutes of birth. Whether it’s because of a disconnect between the research vs. the day-to-day implications of using certain products on the skin, incentives from corporate giants, or other reasons, we don’t know. But we feel strongly about this issue, and are working to help create a major shift in the products used on infants and children by educating parents and encouraging the medical community to take more responsibility for this crucial time in an infant’s health.

With that, we are over the moon that Sutter Health San Francisco has partnered with us to provide a clean, toxin-free first bath, using our Bath Wash, for all of the new babies born in their hospitals! Through our partnership, we are able to offer peace of mind to caregivers and promote healthier skin for thousands of babies.

Now THIS is something to celebrate!!