Top 3 Non-toxic Baby Diapers
- Enyioma
- Jun 7
- 6 min read
As parents, selecting the right products for your baby is crucial. When it comes to diapers, the multitude of choices can be daunting. Non-toxic disposable diapers have gained traction for their safer and more sustainable ingredients. In this article, we will cut through the noise to identify the top three non-toxic disposable diapers that meet high safety and environmental standards.
Understanding Diaper Safety
Your baby's skin is delicate and requires the safest materials possible. Traditional diapers often contain harmful chemicals such as fragrances, chlorine, and lotions, which can irritate the skin and pose long-term health risks such as hormonal dysfunction and behavioral disorders. Choosing non-toxic diapers made from naturally derived materials reduces your baby’s exposure to these harsh substances, minimizing the risk of diaper rashes and other skin conditions.
Opting for disposable diapers that are OEKO-TEX certified and made from FSC-certified pulp, while avoiding petroleum-based plastics, gives parents some confidence in their choice. While no choice is completely perfect, some choices are better than others. Below, we highlight the top five non-toxic disposable diapers that meet these important criteria and which stand apart from the majority of diapers.
The diapers on this list must meet the following criteria:
Free from:
Phthalates
Parabens
Chlorine
Latex
Lotion
Fragrances or Parfum
No chemical wetness indicator
Why avoid wetness indicators? They are generally created using a dye or pH indicator that changes color upon contact with urine. However, this involves the use of chemicals such as quaternary ammonium compounds, linked to reproductive and developmental issues, and halogenated organic compounds, which are persistent and harmful to the environment.
Top sheet (that touches baby skin) derived from non-petroleum sources
Ingredient and diaper composition transparency
$23 (30 diapers)
Eco Originals leads by using 100% plant-based layers including organic cotton blended with FSC-certified wood pulp and ensures their products are shipped completely plastic-free, compostable packaging.
After months of using these diapers, I can attest to their effectiveness. They are capable of holding a significant amount of urine and feces, particularly overnight. I continue to use their baby wipes, which are gentle, non-toxic, and excellent for on-the-go cleaning.
Pros: 100% plant-based, soft layers, plastic-free packaging, non-toxic wipes, OEKO-TEX certified materials, available for one time purchase or by subscription (for a discount)
Cons: somewhat bulkier than standard diapers, and more expensive at $0.78 per diaper compared to $0.39 per diaper for a brand like Pampers.
Diaper composition from Eco Originals website:
Pure Cotton: Our USA Certified Organic Cotton back sheet is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified and delivers breathability whilst providing the structure and shape of our premium diapers. Our cotton waistband and leg cuffs ensure a comfortable fit for your little one.
100% plant-based layers: Ecoriginals Plantcell Technology™ is the only diaper with 100% plant based layers providing the breathability required to stop diaper rash. Hypoallergenic, Dermatest Accredited, sustainably and ethically sourced materials, free from all harmful chemicals and irritants.
Wood Pulp: Certified FSC® wood pulp is a vital component of our plant-based absorbent core, which draws moisture into a soft, breathable centre.
Tissue Paper: Layers of tissue paper wrap our key absorbent components to keep them together in a natural shell, and lock wetness away to maintain up to 12-hours of dryness.
Super absorbent polymers (SAP): Our high-quality absorbent polymers are another powerhouse in the absorbency of our non-toxic diapers.
Corn Starch: The 100% compostable PLA layer is made of a corn starch film that is an all-natural, water-resistant layer that works to disperse liquid and is an alternative to plastics you may find in traditional diapers.
Spandex: A small but efficient amount of spandex is incorporated into our leg cuffs ensuring a perfect fit to eliminate leaks and spills.
FSC® Licence Code: FSC-C161527
$30 (36 diapers)
HealthyBaby diapers feature organic cotton, sugar cane and FSC wood pulp in their core.
While Eco Originals slightly beats them in the sustainability race due to their composition being 100% plant-based, HealthyBaby diapers are by far the softest diapers that I've used. They are truly 'luxuriously soft' as described on their website. Additionally, they are significantly thinner than Eco Originals diapers which enhance ease of wear underneath clothing. Like Eco Originals, they also ship their diapers in biodegradable, plastic-free packaging. These diapers meet the Nordic Swan Ecolabel stringent requirements ensuring that a product's entire life cycle is manufactured with care and regard for the environment and without any harmful chemicals.
Pros: incredibly soft, very lightweight and thin, plastic-free packaging, often on sale.
Cons: expensive at $0.83/diaper, not 100% plant-based layers, only available by subscription (which can be canceled at any time).
Diaper composition from HealthyBaby website
HealthyBaby lists the full materials that compose their diapers and break it down by different sizes. They are all composed of relatively identical materials, with a varying amount of different materials present in the different diaper sizes offered. You can see the breakdown here.
Size 3, 4, 5 and 6
Topsheet: 50% plant-based polyethylene and 50% polypropylene. Only plant-based materials cradle baby's skin.
Absorbent core: 60% absorbent polymer (sodium polyacrylate) and 40% wood pulp (100% sourced from sustainably managed forests, FSC Certified® and Totally Chlorine-Free)
Core Wrap: 100% polypropylene
Acquisition Layer: 100% polyester
Leg cuffs: 35% plant-based polyethylene, 35% polypropylene, 20% adhesive* and 10% elastic polyurethane.
Closing System: (closing panels, closing tapes, frontal tapes, front ears) 55% polypropylene, 25% adhesive* and 20% polyethylene
Backsheet: 45% plant-based polyethylene, 45% calcium carbonate, 10% adhesive* and <0.5% printed ink (ethanol, propan-2-ol, ethyl acetate, D&C black no. 2, pigment yellow 13, pigment yellow 74, pigment red 48:2, pigment red 53, pigment blue 15, pigment green 7, pigment orange 34, pigment violet 23) made without lead or heavy metals.
Outer cover: 45% polyethylene, 40% polyester and 15% organic cotton.
Adhesives made of:
45% styrene-isoprene block copolymer
40% styrene-butadiene block copolymer
10% hydrogenated naphthenic processing oil
4% poly(methylstyrene-co-indene)
1% pentaerythritol tetrakis(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4-hydroxyhydrocinnamate)
3. Joonya
$87 (150 diapers)
Joonya diapers incorporate materials sourced from sugar cane and corn starch in their top layer, along with FSC-certified pulp. Joonya diapers are notably thin and lightweight yet highly absorbent. They comply with the rigorous standards of the Nordic Swan Ecolabel, ensuring the product is produced with environmental consideration and free from harmful chemicals throughout its life cycle. After using these on my baby, I can confirm their thin, lightweight design and impressive absorbency.
Pros: At $0.58/diaper, these are the most affordable on this list, plastic-free shipping, available for one time purchase or on a subscription (for a discount)
Cons: not 100% plant-based
Diaper composition from Joonya website
Top sheet: GMO Free Green PE non-woven (sugar cane derived) and PLA (typically corn starch derived) renewable materials.
Moisture repellent Back sheet: (Polyethylene & Polypropylene)
The chlorine free core (TCF): super absorbent polymers and FSC® Mix (C145475) certified wood pulp – sourced from responsibly managed forests.
In summary
You'll observe that well-known brands often associated with sustainable and non-toxic diapers, such as Honest, Dyper, Coterie, and Kudos, are not included here. This is because they do not fulfill the criteria outlined at the start of this article.
Although these diapers are generally superior to many other inexpensive and popular brands found in store baby aisles, which are made from poor-quality plastic and contain harsh endocrine-disrupting chemicals, they do not rank highest for non-toxic diapers. If your aim is to select the cleanest disposable diapers for your child, the three options listed here are your best choice.
As parents, we strive for the best for our children, including the materials that touch their delicate bodies. While the composition and sustainability of diapers are important factors in choosing disposable diapers, they are not the only considerations. Cost, availability, and urgency also play significant roles in the decisions of many parents, including myself. The diapers mentioned in this article require shipping and are not readily available in most local stores and markets. If they are accessible and affordable, these diapers are excellent options. However, if these choices are not currently available to you as a parent, please explore other ways to reduce or avoid exposure to harsh chemicals and toxic substances in your child's environment.
Final Thoughts on Non-toxic Baby Diapers
Selecting the right diaper for your baby involves not only comfort but also safety and environmental considerations. The top 3 non-toxic disposable diapers mentioned here offer reassurance for parents, with each brand committed to using gentle, non-toxic materials ideal for sensitive skin.
These brands prioritize your child's health while being mindful of the planet. When you choose these eco-friendly options, you support your baby’s well-being while contributing to a sustainable future. Take the time to explore these exceptional choices and make the informed decision that reflects your family's values and is most accessible and affordable for your family.
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