Caffeine

Caffeine molecular structurePubChem

2-5 year old preschoolers • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Caffeine?

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NOT RECOMMENDED
Danger Score: 6 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Caffeine not recommended for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2–5), caffeine on the skin is not usually linked with major problems in adults, but children’s skin can absorb more and their bodies are smaller, so we treat it as moderately risky. It’s not recommended as a routine ingredient for young children.

✅What to Do

Avoid products that list caffeine if possible for children under 5. If a product containing caffeine is used, apply only a very small amount to a small area of intact skin once, and watch for any redness or behavior changes. Do not use on broken or irritated skin, near the eyes or mouth, and avoid frequent or whole-body applications. Talk with your child’s pediatrician before using products that name caffeine.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin irritation, unusual sleepiness, jitteriness, stomach upset, or changes in behavior after topical use. Scientific and regulatory reviews (for example IARC, EPA, ECHA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review and some peer‑reviewed studies) note limited mutation results in lab tests and animal effects at higher doses, and some restrictions on use in certain product types — these are the reasons for caution in young children.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Absorbed: Safety reviews note that topical caffeine can be absorbed through skin. That means some caffeine put on the skin can get into the bloodstream after use, so the body may be exposed beyond the skin (noted in cosmetic safety assessments).
Organ Risk: Some regulatory reviews have classified caffeine as potentially harmful to organs and animal tests showed deaths at high doses. This flag comes from a chemical agency review and cosmetic safety studies that reported harmful effects in animals at high exposures.
Fertility: Animal studies found effects on development or reproduction at moderate doses in safety testing. These findings from cosmetic safety reviewers mean there is evidence caffeine can affect reproductive or developmental health in animals under some conditions.
Builds Up: Peer‑reviewed studies report that caffeine can persist and bioaccumulate in wildlife. That means it can build up in animals and the environment over time rather than breaking down quickly.
Environmental: Independent research shows caffeine can persist in the environment and accumulate in wildlife, which can harm ecosystems. Some government reviews differ, but peer‑reviewed evidence raised environmental concerns.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Caffeine

This ingredient may also be listed as:

caffeine3,7-DIHYDRO-1,3,7-TRIMETHYL-1H-PURINE (9CI)CAFFEINE, PURUM, ANHYDROUS, >=99.0% (HPLC)AB00051930-09AB00051930_10CAFFEINE, ANHYDROUS, TESTED ACCORDING TO PH.EUR.CAFFEINE, SIGMA REFERENCE STANDARD, VIAL OF 250 MGSR-01000075187-1METTLER-TOLEDO CALIBRATION SUBSTANCE ME 18872, CAFFEINE, ANALYTICAL STANDARD, FOR THE CALIBRATION OF THE THERMOSYSTEM 900, TRACEABLE TO PRIMARY STANDARDS (LGC)3,7-DIHYDRO-1,3,7-TRIMETHYL-1H-PURIN-2,6-DIONSR-01000075187-4

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

Products Containing Caffeine

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Common Questions About Caffeine

Safe for preschoolers to use Caffeine?

Caffeine is not recommended for 2-5 year old children due to potential safety risks.

What are the absorbed risks of Caffeine for preschoolers?

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

What are the organ risk risks of Caffeine for preschoolers?

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

What are the fertility risks of Caffeine for preschoolers?

Some studies link this to future fertility or reproductive issues. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the builds up risks of Caffeine for preschoolers?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the environmental risks of Caffeine for preschoolers?

Possible negative effects on the environment Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain Caffeine?

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

Is this suitable for preschoolers to using products with Caffeine?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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