1. What are the harsh chemicals usually found in kids’ shampoos/bath products that you eliminate/avoid/replace?
At Dot & Lola, we believe that what goes on your child’s skin should be as pure as possible. That’s why we eliminate:

• Sulfates (SLS & SLES) – Used in many mainstream products to create lather, but they can strip delicate skin of natural oils, causing dryness and irritation.
• Parabens – Common preservatives linked to hormone disruption, which is particularly concerning for growing children.
• Phthalates – Often hidden in fragrances, these chemicals have been linked to developmental concerns.
• Synthetic Fragrances & Dyes – Known to trigger allergies and sensitivities in young skin.
• Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives – Found in some "tear-free" formulas, but can cause skin irritation over time.

Instead, we use plant-based cleansers, natural preservatives, and gentle essential oils to ensure our products are safe, nourishing, and free from toxins.

2. How important is this issue to you?
This is non-negotiable for us. We started Dot & Lola with a mission to create luxurious, high-quality skincare without the unnecessary chemicals that dominate the industry. For children, whose skin is more absorbent and sensitive than adults’, we believe there’s no excuse for using harsh ingredients when safer, plant-based alternatives exist. It’s about long-term health, not just short-term convenience.

3. Why are harsh chemicals still used in kids’ products when there are plant-based alternatives?
Big brands prioritise cost, shelf-life, and mass production over ingredient safety. Harsh chemicals are:

• Cheaper than their natural counterparts.
• Extend shelf-life, making mass production easier.
• Create the "sensory experience" (like extra foam or fragrance) that consumers have been conditioned to expect.
• Legal but outdated – Regulations in many countries still permit ingredients that have been questioned or even banned elsewhere.

But we believe parents are waking up to the fact that just because something is legally allowed doesn’t mean it’s safe—and we want to be at the forefront of that shift.

4. What kind of feedback on ‘no nasty chemicals’ do you hear from parents/the market? How much do they care?
The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Parents love that they can trust our products without needing to decode a long ingredient list. Common feedback includes:

• “Finally, a shampoo I don’t have to worry about!”
• “My child’s skin used to react to everything—until we found Dot & Lola.”
• “I never realised how many chemicals were in baby products until I looked closer.”

However, while many parents care deeply, not everyone is aware of what’s actually in mainstream baby products. Some assume if it’s on the shelf, it must be safe. That’s why education is a huge part of what we do.

5. Why isn’t there more awareness (or outrage) about the harmful chemicals in big-name brands?

1. Clever marketing – Many big brands use misleading labels like "natural" or "dermatologist-tested" to create a false sense of security.
2. Lack of regulation – The beauty industry still operates under loose guidelines, meaning many harmful ingredients are technically allowed.
3. Generational trust – Many parents use the same brands they grew up with, assuming they’re safe.
4. Focus on immediate results over long-term health – People notice foam, fragrance, and feel, not what’s happening at a cellular level.

At Dot & Lola, we’re not just offering an alternative—we’re leading a movement to demand better standards. Parents shouldn’t have to compromise between quality and safety. We’re here to prove that luxury skincare can be clean, effective, and safe for even the most sensitive skin.

Let’s make ‘no nasty chemicals’ the norm, not the exception.