Salicylic Acid

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

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

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NO - AVOID
Danger Score: 9 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Salicylic Acid avoid - not safe for 0-6 month old babies when used in topical products. Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

ℹ️General Overview

Do not use salicylic acid on infants under 6 months. A baby’s skin can absorb more of this ingredient and that can cause irritation or more serious effects if the skin is damaged or large areas are treated.

What to Do

Avoid any over-the-counter acne or wart products containing salicylic acid on newborns and babies under 6 months. If a product containing salicylic acid was applied by mistake, wash the area with water and mild soap and contact your pediatrician. If a doctor recommends treatment that includes salicylic acid (rare for this age), follow their instructions exactly and use the smallest amount for the shortest time. Always avoid applying to broken, red, or irritated skin and do not cover treated areas with bandages unless directed by a healthcare professional.

⚠️Warnings

Regulatory bodies have placed limits or restrictions on cosmetic use of salicylic acid due to concerns about skin irritation and absorption (examples: Health Canada, EU Cosmetics Directive, Japan Ministry of Health). A national endocrine chemicals list has flagged possible hormone-related effects, and expert reviews note potential for skin or eye irritation (sources include Health Canada, EU restrictions, Japan Ministry of Health, Danish centre on endocrine disruptors, and expert safety reviews). Watch for redness, swelling, rash, vomiting, breathing changes, decreased activity, or unusual sleepiness after exposure — seek medical care right away if these occur.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Hormones: A national endocrine-watch list identifies salicylic acid as a possible human endocrine disruptor. That means it may interfere with normal hormone signals during development or growth.
Confuse Hormones: Safety assessments note possible endocrine disruption for this chemical, so it can act like a fake hormone or change how natural hormones work in the body.
Irritant: Safety reviews and studies report limited evidence of skin irritation and even eye irritation in animals. Cosmetic safety panels and peer-reviewed work flag possible skin, eye or lung irritation.
Absorbed: Ingredient summaries call out enhanced skin absorption for this topical chemical, meaning it can get through the skin and enter the body when used on skin.
Banned: Government safety rules restrict or limit this ingredient in cosmetics in multiple places. Regulatory lists and national cosmetic authorities in several regions set use or concentration limits.
Long-Term Risk: Reviews note multiple, additive exposure sources (including limited use in food), so repeated exposures from different places could add up over time and raise long-term health concerns.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Salicylic Acid

This ingredient may also be listed as:

salicylic acidSALICYLIC ACID, MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF PH. EUR., BP, USP, 99.5-100.5% (CALC. TO THE DRIED SUBSTANCE)3253-EP2316827A13253-EP2380874A2C008053253-EP2372017A13253-EP2316459A13253-EP2316826A13253-EP2316825A13253-EP2316828A1D00097

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

Products Containing Salicylic Acid

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Salicylic Acid or its alternative names.

Research Articles on Salicylic Acid

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Salicylic Acid safety and effects.

Common Questions About Salicylic Acid

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Salicylic Acid?

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

What are the hormones risks of Salicylic Acid for newborns?

May mess with natural hormone development in babies and children. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the confuse hormones risks of Salicylic Acid for newborns?

Acts like fake hormones in the body, confusing natural signals. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the irritant risks of Salicylic Acid for newborns?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the absorbed risks of Salicylic Acid 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 banned risks of Salicylic Acid for newborns?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the long-term risk risks of Salicylic Acid 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 products contain Salicylic Acid?

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

When can infants start using products with Salicylic Acid?

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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