Cetyl Alcohol

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Cetyl Alcohol?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Cetyl Alcohol is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For children aged 5 and up (school-age kids and teens), cetyl alcohol is usually safe in regular lotions, creams and cleansers. It’s a common softening and thickening ingredient and most reviews call it low risk.

What to Do

Use products made for children or standard adult skin-care products that list cetyl alcohol among many mild ingredients. Don’t apply to open cuts or raw skin. If trying a new product, test a small amount on the child’s forearm for a day to check for redness or itching.

⚠️Warnings

Some government and industry reviews (Environment Canada; Cosmetic Ingredient Review; FDA notes on permitted uses) flag possible internal organ concerns only in high or unusual exposures and note that safe use depends on formulation limits. Parents should avoid products with unusually high concentrations, stop use if the child develops a rash or swelling, and seek medical care for severe reactions. If your child has very sensitive skin or a known allergy to similar ingredients, skip products with cetyl alcohol.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: A government health review (Environment Canada) flags cetyl alcohol as “expected to be toxic or harmful” to non-reproductive organs and gives it a medium human-health priority. A separate industry safety review also notes gaps in how risk is assessed. Together these findings show a real risk that repeated or high exposures could harm organs (for example liver, kidneys, or lungs).
Environmental: Environment Canada lists cetyl alcohol as a suspected environmental toxin. This means the ingredient may harm wildlife or ecosystems if it gets into water or the environment.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Cetyl Alcohol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

cetyl alcoholCETYL ALCOHOLS4173TOX21_111609ZINC8214519CETYL ALCOHOL, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALHY-B1465ANW-28459KS-00000V9GLMFA05000061TOX21_300325EINECS 252-964-9

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

Products Containing Cetyl Alcohol

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Common Questions About Cetyl Alcohol

Is this kid-friendly to use Cetyl Alcohol?

Yes, Cetyl Alcohol is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the organ risk risks of Cetyl Alcohol for children?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the environmental risks of Cetyl Alcohol for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What products contain Cetyl Alcohol?

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

When can kids start using products with Cetyl Alcohol?

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

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