Ethanol

Ethanol molecular structurePubChem

1-2 year old toddlers • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this toddler-safe to use Ethanol?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Ethanol is generally considered safe for 1-2 year old toddlers when used in topical products. Watch for toddler-specific sensitivities.

ℹ️General Overview

For toddlers (1-2 years), ethanol (alcohol) in small amounts on the skin is usually low risk but can dry or irritate young skin and can help other ingredients soak in more easily.

✅What to Do

If you use a product with ethanol on a 1-2 year old: use a small amount, avoid putting it on large areas or on broken or red skin, limit how often you use it, and stop use if the child’s skin becomes dry, red, or sore. Choose products labelled for children when possible and keep the child from putting treated skin or the product in their mouth.

⚠️Warnings

The provided safety information notes that ethanol can increase skin absorption (it’s listed as a penetration enhancer) and that there are official listings (Environment Canada) about organ-system harm with higher or repeated exposures — these are reasons to avoid heavy, repeated, or widespread use on toddlers. Also keep products with ethanol away from heat or open flame (they are flammable) and supervise closely to prevent swallowing, which can be harmful.

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 toddler-safe to use Ethanol?

Yes, Ethanol is generally considered safe for 1-2 year old toddlers based on current research.

What are the organ risk risks of Ethanol for toddlers?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

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

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the absorbed risks of Ethanol for toddlers?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain Ethanol?

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

When can toddlers using products with Ethanol?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 1-2 year old toddlers. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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