When a celebrity attaches his or her name to a product, be it vodka, a fragrance, or baby clothing, you wonder just how authentic it is – or if it’s simply part of a large branding strategy. Does having an associated celebrity name mean the item is somehow superior than, say, the standard item? While, at least in terms of fashion, the relationship gives the product an initial edge, it wears off at some point – particularly when a star’s power drops.

Jessica Alba is one of the more recent stars to attach her name to a product. In the past, we saw a proposed baby clothing line from Snoop Dogg and David Beckham, onesies sporting a quote from Kate Moss (“Nothing tastes as good as skinny feels”), and baby sheets from Saved by the Bell and 90210 actress Tiffani Thiessen. Alba, on the other hand, is introducing a line of eco-friendly diapers and other baby products under The Honest Co. Making its first appearance last week, Honest.com, the company’s website, started offering nontoxic, eco-friendly diapers, biodegradable baby wipes, and organic bath and skin care products.

For an actress who starred in television show Dark Angel and more recently in the Fantastic Four and Machete, such an endeavor seems odd; yet, in an interview with the New York Daily News, Alba talked about getting a rash after using baby-safe detergent. Upon researching the ingredients, she found that many weren’t organic, and while she found some truly eco-friendly baby items here and there, they were difficult to come by. To the newspaper, she explained:

“It was exhausting. I had a baby, I was working. I didn’t have time to go everywhere. And I get it. Everything has a green leaf on it or brown or beige. I’m like, just because it’s eco why does it have to be brown, beige, or have a green leaf on it?”

The Honest Co.’s eco diapers are not only nontoxic, but they also come in colorful patterns and are affordably priced. Aside from her new line, other green baby products can be found through Rattlecake and Dada Baby Boutique.

As you’ve probably heard in the news already, not all green products are actually green. Baby products, in particular, have been exposed by this assertion, and parents looking to be environmentally-friendly with bottles, toys, and sheets might need to do some research before purchasing. “Greenwashing” is the term, according to an Environmental Leader article, given to inaccurately labeled “green” products. So, as far as your baby is concerned, how do you know if an item is genuinely good for the environment?

It’s a tough call with baby products, as, the Environmental Leader piece mentions, 90 to 95 percent of “green” baby gear has no proof. In general, if the claims about the product’s benefits for the environment are vague, not accurate, or unsubstantiated, you might want to think twice about purchasing it.

For parents, unfortunately, bottles spurred a trend to go green, as, only a few years ago, BPA was found to be in many feeding supplies. Children under three years of age shouldn’t be exposed to such chemicals as BPA and phthalates, as they have the potential to cause developmental delays or physical disorders. Some states have banned the use of the chemical, while manufacturers claim that their products are “BPA-free” or “phthalates-free.” But how can you be so sure?

Be wary of plastic products for children under three years of age, and look for as many alternatives as possible with bottles, cups, toys, and mattresses. We wrote about finding alternatives to BPA in the spring, and these suggestions will assist you with finding products that may be more “green” – or, at least, won’t contain potentially harmful chemicals. As we suggested, check the recycling number on the bottom of the product – “3” and “7” definitely have BPA – and look for other options, such as metal baby bottles, that contain no plastic whatsoever.