Triclosan

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Triclosan?

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

ℹ️General Overview

For preschoolers and young children (ages 2–5) triclosan is moderately risky. It can irritate skin and eyes, may trigger allergies or immune effects in sensitive children, and has shown hormone-related effects in studies. It also can persist in the environment.

What to Do

Avoid giving children 2–5 products labeled “antibacterial” or containing triclosan for everyday use. For handwashing and routine cleaning, use plain soap and water. If soap isn’t available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol). If a product with triclosan is recommended by a doctor for a specific medical reason, use the lowest effective amount for the shortest time. If you must try a new product, do a small patch test on the child’s inner forearm and wait 24 hours before wider use.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, rash, stinging, swelling, or new breathing or coughing problems after use — these are signs of irritation or allergic reaction (source: EU hazard labeling; AOEC reports). Avoid applying triclosan products to broken skin, open wounds, or near the eyes or mouth. Keep all products out of reach to prevent accidental swallowing; contamination issues like traces of dioxins or chloroform have been reported in the literature and are a reason to avoid nonessential use (sources: peer-reviewed studies noting contamination and persistence; Health Canada restrictions). If you see persistent skin problems or have concerns about hormone or immune effects, talk with your pediatrician.

Confidence: HIGH

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: This ingredient is formally classified as a skin and eye irritant under EU GHS hazard codes, so it can cause redness, stinging or soreness on baby skin or eyes.
Immune system: Human case studies and population data show possible immune and allergic effects, and an occupational clinic review lists it as an immune/respiratory toxicant—so it can trigger allergic or immune reactions in some people.
Asthma: An occupational and environmental clinical assessment identifies this chemical as a respiratory toxicant/allergen, meaning it can worsen breathing problems or asthma in sensitive children.
Hormones: Multiple studies show this chemical can change thyroid-related hormone activity and affect development at low doses, so it can interfere with normal hormone systems in growing children.
Confuse Hormones: Research shows the compound alters hormone‑linked gene expression and developmental processes in animal studies, meaning it can act like a fake hormone and confuse the body's signals.
Organ Risk: Lab and regulatory assessments report harms to non-reproductive organs (for example effects on muscle function) and list it as potentially toxic to organ systems, so repeated exposure could harm organs like muscle or liver.
Builds Up: Peer‑reviewed studies and pollutant reviews report persistence and bioaccumulation in wildlife and concern for bioaccumulation in people, so the chemical can build up in the body and environment over time.
Banned: Health authorities in some countries restrict or limit its use in cosmetics, indicating regulatory restrictions already in place for safety reasons.
Long-Term Risk: Because it is persistent, bioaccumulative and linked to contamination concerns (including reports of chlorinated byproducts), there is a realistic risk of long‑term health effects with repeated exposure over years.
Environmental: Regulatory and peer‑reviewed sources report toxicity to wildlife and environmental harm, so this ingredient can negatively affect ecosystems when released into the environment.
Absorbed: Studies showing changes to thyroid‑related gene expression and developmental effects imply the chemical is taken up into the body after skin contact and can reach internal tissues.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Triclosan

This ingredient may also be listed as:

triclosan facteur déotriclosanC12059BR-73001FT-0609773AC-10667ST50826110AK-730015-CHLORO-2-(2,4-DI-CHLORO-PHENOXY)-PHENOLTRICLOSAN, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALSC-165885-CHLORO-2-(2, 4-DICHLOROPHENOXY)PHENOL

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

Products Containing Triclosan

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Common Questions About Triclosan

Safe for preschoolers to use Triclosan?

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

What are the irritant risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the immune system risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

Could weaken or confuse immune system. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the asthma risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

Can make breathing issues like asthma worse in babies and kids. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the hormones risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

May mess with natural hormone development in babies and children. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the confuse hormones risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

Acts like fake hormones in the body, confusing natural signals. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the organ risk risks of Triclosan 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 builds up risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

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

What are the banned risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the long-term risk risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

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

What are the environmental risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

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

What are the absorbed risks of Triclosan for preschoolers?

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

What products contain Triclosan?

Triclosan 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 Triclosan?

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.

📱

Want to scan another product?

Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels

Scan Another Product