Cetearyl Alcohol

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Cetearyl Alcohol?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Cetearyl Alcohol is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

Cetearyl alcohol is a mild fatty alcohol used to soften and thicken lotions and creams. For toddlers and young children (ages 2–5) it is usually safe on the skin and is not commonly linked to serious harms.

What to Do

Use products made for kids or labeled for sensitive skin. Before using a new cream or lotion, try a small patch on the inside of the forearm and wait 24 hours to check for redness or irritation. Avoid putting it on large areas of broken or irritated skin. If your child gets a rash, stop using the product and talk to your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Some government reviews note rare cases of skin sensitivity (European chemical agency) and that manufacturers set concentration limits in products (industry safety review). A government environmental review flagged possible harm to aquatic life — this is an environmental note, not a direct safety problem for your child’s skin. Also, certain product-verification programs require manufacturers to provide safety substantiation before using this ingredient — choose trusted brands and products made for children.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Environmental: A government assessment flagged this ingredient as "suspected to be an environmental toxin," meaning it may harm fish or other wildlife if it enters waterways. That finding comes from Environment Canada, which also notes the ingredient is not thought to build up or persist but still raises environmental concern.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Cetearyl Alcohol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

cetearyl alcoholCetanolCETEARYL ALCOHOLHEXADECAN-1-OL;OCTADECAN-1-OLEC 267-008-6LANETTE OCETOSTEARYL ALCOHOL [NF]2DMT128M1S8005-44-5SCHEMBL1091511CETYL-STEARYL ALCOHOL (50/50)CETYL ALCOHOL: STEARYL ALCOHOL: CETEARYL ALCOHOLCETOSTEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYLSTEARYL ALCOHOL, CETYL/STEARYL ALCOHOL

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

Products Containing Cetearyl Alcohol

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Research Articles on Cetearyl Alcohol

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Cetearyl Alcohol safety and effects.

Common Questions About Cetearyl Alcohol

Safe for preschoolers to use Cetearyl Alcohol?

Yes, Cetearyl Alcohol is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children based on current research.

What are the environmental risks of Cetearyl Alcohol for preschoolers?

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

What products contain Cetearyl Alcohol?

Cetearyl Alcohol 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 Cetearyl Alcohol?

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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