2-ethylhexyl stearate

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Ethylhexyl Stearate?

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

ℹ️General Overview

For children 5 years and older (kids, school-age children, preteens, teens) this ingredient is generally low risk for everyday skin products. The main problem reported is irritation to skin, eyes or breathing in some people.

What to Do

Use products with this ingredient as directed for older children. Before regular use, do a small patch test on the inside of the forearm or behind the ear and wait 24 hours to check for redness, itching, or swelling. Avoid applying to broken or very irritated skin and keep away from the eyes and mouth. If a product is a spray, avoid letting the child breathe the mist. Stop use and rinse with water if you see any irritation.

⚠️Warnings

Watch closely for skin redness, stinging, swelling, or eye irritation — irritation is the main concern noted by a cosmetic industry safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). There are also published notes about missing safety details and recommended limits on how much should be used in products (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Some product verification programs may restrict this ingredient unless makers provide safety proof. Government review found it is not expected to cause organ harm or to build up in the environment (Environment Canada).

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Irritant: A cosmetic safety review found strong human evidence that this ingredient can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs. That means it can cause redness, itching, or rashes on baby skin and bother the eyes or breathing when used on the skin.
Asthma: The same cosmetic safety review specifically notes lung irritation. Lung irritation can make breathing problems or asthma worse in children, so this ingredient could trigger coughing, wheeze, or tighter breathing in sensitive kids.
Environmental: A national environmental agency flagged uncertain effects to the environment. While that agency does not suspect the ingredient will persist or build up in the body, it still lists possible environmental toxicity, meaning it could harm aquatic life or ecosystems in some situations.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for 2-ethylhexyl stearate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

ethylhexyl stearateDTXSID1059367ZINC86050951AI3-31618EINECS 203-666-2772Y4UFC8BUNII-772Y4UFC8BOCTADECANOIC ACID, OCTYL ESTER109-36-4OCTYL OCTADECANOATESTEARIC ACID, OCTYL ESTER

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

Common Questions About 2-ethylhexyl stearate

Is this kid-friendly to use 2-ethylhexyl stearate?

Yes, 2-ethylhexyl stearate is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the irritant risks of 2-ethylhexyl stearate for children?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin.

What are the asthma risks of 2-ethylhexyl stearate for children?

Can make breathing issues like asthma worse in babies and kids.

What are the environmental risks of 2-ethylhexyl stearate for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What products contain 2-ethylhexyl stearate?

2-ethylhexyl stearate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with 2-ethylhexyl stearate?

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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