Octocrylene

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

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

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NO - AVOID
Danger Score: 8 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Octocrylene avoid - not safe 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), avoid products that list octocrylene when possible. Babies have very thin, sensitive skin and this ingredient can get into the body and has been linked in studies to irritation, allergic reactions, and lab findings that raise concern.

What to Do

Keep infants covered with clothing, hats, and shade first. For everyday sun protection for babies under 6 months, use sun-protective clothing and avoid direct sun. If a doctor says sunscreen is needed, ask for a product without octocrylene—prefer mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Avoid sprays and products with unclear ingredient sources. If you must try a product that contains octocrylene on an older baby, do a small patch test and wait 24–48 hours before wider use and follow your pediatrician’s advice.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, rash, swelling, or any change in behavior after skin application—stop use and contact your pediatrician if these happen. Concerns come from human absorption studies (one clinical trial showed sunscreen actives can be found in blood), case reports of contact and photocontact allergy (reviewed in 2014), laboratory studies showing production of reactive oxygen species (1996 and 2006 studies), and reports of benzophenone contamination. Also note that some safety verification programs restrict its use unless manufacturers provide extra safety data.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Absorbed: Multiple studies, including a recent randomized clinical trial and skin absorption lab studies, show octocrylene can get through the skin and enter the body. This means it can travel beyond the surface of the skin and reach the bloodstream.
Builds Up: Field and lab research found octocrylene in fish from rivers and peer‑reviewed work reports it can accumulate in animal tissues and people. This means repeated use can lead to the ingredient building up over time.
Immune system: Clinical case reports and a review of contact and photocontact allergy show octocrylene can cause allergic skin reactions in some people. That is a real immune response risk, especially for sensitive skin.
Organ Risk: Laboratory studies report octocrylene can produce excess reactive oxygen species that harm cells, cause mutations, and have been linked to heart-related effects in experimental work. These cellular effects can harm organs with repeated exposure.
Long-Term Risk: Because octocrylene can be absorbed, can accumulate in tissues, and can cause cellular damage in lab studies, there is concern about possible health effects after repeated long-term exposure.
Environmental: Environmental studies found octocrylene in rivers and showed it accumulates in marine organisms and can harm coral cells and mitochondria. This indicates a risk to wildlife and ecosystems when the chemical enters waterways.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Octocrylene

This ingredient may also be listed as:

octocryleneTOX21_111153_1MCULE-9077867311NCGC00091585-06NCGC00091585-04AK-78708AC-7027OCTOCRYLENE, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALCS-4296CCG-268181NCGC00091585-01

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

Products Containing Octocrylene

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Research Articles on Octocrylene

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Octocrylene safety and effects.

Common Questions About Octocrylene

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Octocrylene?

Octocrylene is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potential safety risks.

What are the absorbed risks of Octocrylene 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 are the builds up risks of Octocrylene for newborns?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the immune system risks of Octocrylene for newborns?

Could weaken or confuse immune system. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the organ risk risks of Octocrylene 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 Octocrylene 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 environmental risks of Octocrylene for newborns?

Possible negative effects on the environment This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain Octocrylene?

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

When can infants start using products with Octocrylene?

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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