Stearyl Alcohol

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

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

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Stearyl Alcohol is generally considered safe for 0-6 month old babies when used in topical products. Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

ℹ️General Overview

For newborns and babies (0–6 months), stearyl alcohol is a common ingredient used to make creams and lotions feel smooth. Most experts see low risk for long‑term problems, but it can cause skin or eye irritation in some people. Because babies have very delicate skin, we should be extra careful.

What to Do

If you use a product that lists stearyl alcohol on the label: choose products made for infants, use the smallest amount needed, avoid applying to broken or inflamed skin, and keep it away from your baby’s eyes and mouth. Do a small patch test (apply a tiny amount to a clean area like the inner forearm or behind the ear) and wait 24 hours to watch for redness or irritation. If you see any rash, swelling, or fussiness that you think is linked to the product, stop use and check with your baby’s doctor.

⚠️Warnings

Experts who review ingredient safety report strong evidence that stearyl alcohol can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review). There are also notes that safe use depends on how much is in the product and how it’s made, and some safety programs require extra proof before allowing it in certain certified products (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review and related regulatory notes). Environment Canada has noted environmental concerns, and the U.S. food agency recognizes it can be used in food preparations, which shows multiple exposure sources. For babies, the main concern is irritation — watch for redness, blisters, swelling, or breathing changes — and avoid use on very young infants with eczema or broken skin.

Confidence: MEDIUM

Are you holding the product?

Scan the full ingredient label and understand if it's safe for your child.

Scan the full label for free
Get instant analysis of all ingredients together

Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Irritant: A cosmetic safety review group (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) found strong evidence that this ingredient can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs. The ingredient is flagged as a moderate irritation concern, so it can cause redness, stinging, or breathing irritation in sensitive children.
Environmental: A Canadian environmental agency (Environment Canada) flagged this ingredient as a suspected environmental toxin, meaning it may harm wildlife or water quality if released into the environment.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Stearyl Alcohol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

stearyl alcoholSTEARYL ALCOHOLUNII-U0T8J52I8B COMPONENT GLDOVTGHNKAZLK-UHFFFAOYSA-NSTEARYL ALCOHOL, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALUNII-2DMT128M1S COMPONENT GLDOVTGHNKAZLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N2DEF44B7-B367-4188-89E4-531379568C74UNII-C6BPY2QY39 COMPONENT GLDOVTGHNKAZLK-UHFFFAOYSA-NSTEARYL ALCOHOL, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARDUNII-13F4MW8Y9K COMPONENT GLDOVTGHNKAZLK-UHFFFAOYSA-NSR-01000944718-1STEARYL ALCOHOL, EUROPEAN PHARMACOPOEIA (EP) REFERENCE STANDARDUNII-B1K89384RJ COMPONENT GLDOVTGHNKAZLK-UHFFFAOYSA-N

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

Products Containing Stearyl Alcohol

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Stearyl Alcohol or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Stearyl Alcohol

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Stearyl Alcohol?

Yes, Stearyl Alcohol is generally considered safe for 0-6 month old babies based on current research.

What are the irritant risks of Stearyl Alcohol 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 environmental risks of Stearyl Alcohol for newborns?

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

What products contain Stearyl Alcohol?

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

When can infants start using products with Stearyl Alcohol?

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.

📱

Want to scan another product?

Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels

Scan Another Product