Ethanol

0-6 month old newborns • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Ethanol?

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USE WITH CAUTION

Danger Score: 5 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: Ethanol use with caution for 0-6 month old babies when used in topical products. Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

ℹ️General Overview

For newborns and infants (0-6 months) ethanol can be drying and may irritate delicate skin. Although overall hazard information is low, ethanol can increase absorption of other chemicals and a government source flags possible organ system effects, so it's best to be cautious with babies.

✅What to Do

Avoid putting products that list ethanol (or denatured alcohol, SD alcohol, ethyl alcohol) on the skin of newborns and babies when possible. If you must use a product that contains ethanol: use it sparingly, do not apply to the face or diaper area, avoid broken or red skin, rinse off if it stings or causes redness, and choose alcohol-free alternatives for routine moisturizing and care.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for dryness, redness, stinging, or flaking after using a product that contains ethanol. Do not apply to cracked or broken skin or near the eyes and mouth. Be aware that studies have shown ethanol can increase skin absorption of other substances (peer-reviewed studies 2003 and 2006) and a government evaluation listed potential non-reproductive organ system toxicity — these are the reasons for extra caution with infants.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: Environment Canada classifies ethanol as “expected to be toxic or harmful” to non-reproductive organs and lists it as a medium human-health priority. That means repeated or heavy exposure (even from skin use) could hurt organs such as the liver or kidneys.

Long-Term Risk: The ingredient record notes non-reproductive organ-system toxicity at a low-to-moderate level and the Environment Canada classification implies possible effects from repeated or long-term exposure. This points to potential health effects after years of use.

Absorbed: Animal studies (published research in 2003 and 2006) show ethanol can act as a penetration enhancer and change how chemicals move through skin. That means topical ethanol can increase how much of itself or other ingredients get into the body.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Ethanol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

sugarcane alcoholethyl alcoholethanolSPECIALLY DENATURED ALCOHOL, 200 PROOF, SDA 35A, CONTAINS ETHYL ACETATESPECIALLY DENATURED ALCOHOL, 200 PROOF, SDA 2B-4, CONTAINS N-HEPTANEDEHYDRATED ALCOHOL, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALETHANOL, ABSOLUTE, REAG. ISO, REAG. PH. EUR., >=99.8% (GC), LIQUID (CLEAR, COLORLESS)SPECIALLY DENATURED ALCOHOL, 200 PROOF, SDA 3C, CONTAINS ISOPROPANOLALCOHOL DETERMINATION-ALCOHOL, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARDSPECIALLY DENATURED ALCOHOL, 200 PROOF, SDA 2B-5, CONTAINS N-HEXANEETHANOL CALIBRATION KIT, AMPULE OF 10 X 1.2 ML, CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALETHANOL, FOR SPECTROSCOPY, ANHYDROUS, DENAT. WITH 5% 2-PROPANOL + 5% METHANOLSPECIALLY DENATURED ALCOHOL, 200 PROOF, SDA 40B, CONTAINS TERT-BUTYL ALCOHOL AND DENATONIUM BENZOATE

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Ethanol

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Ethanol or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Ethanol

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Ethanol?

Use caution with Ethanol for 0-6 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the organ risk risks of Ethanol for newborns?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the long-term risk risks of Ethanol for newborns?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the absorbed risks of Ethanol for newborns?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain Ethanol?

Ethanol is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can infants start using products with Ethanol?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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