Hectorite

Hectorite molecular structure

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Hectorite?

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

ℹ️General Overview

Hectorite is a clay used to thicken creams and gels. For children 5 years and older (school-age kids and teens) it is usually safe on normal, unbroken skin when used in regular cosmetic products.

What to Do

Use products made for children or regular cosmetics that list hectorite at normal formulation levels. Avoid using thick, concentrate-packed formulations on young skin. Do a small patch test on the inside of the forearm first: wait 24 hours and stop use if you see redness, itching, swelling, or irritation. Do not put products with hectorite on broken skin, near the eyes, or inside the nose or mouth.

⚠️Warnings

The main warning comes from cosmetic industry safety guidance (Cosmetic Ingredient Review): there may be limits on how much can be used and which product types are appropriate. Because of those recommended use restrictions and some gaps in data about maximum concentrations, avoid high‑concentration or leave-on specialty products unless they are specifically formulated and labeled for children. If your child has very sensitive skin, a known allergy, or develops symptoms after use, stop use and talk with your pediatrician.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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:

Banned: An industry safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) says this ingredient must be limited by product type and concentration. Because of those limits, some product-verification programs will not allow the ingredient in verified products unless the maker provides safety proof. The review also notes data gaps that lead to these use limits, so this ingredient is treated as restricted in practice.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Hectorite

This ingredient may also be listed as:

hectoriteHECTORITEBENTONE GELBEN-A-GELMACALOIDHECTORITE (CLAY MINERAL)

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

Products Containing Hectorite

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Common Questions About Hectorite

Is this kid-friendly to use Hectorite?

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

What are the banned risks of Hectorite for children?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What products contain Hectorite?

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

When can kids start using products with Hectorite?

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.

📱

Want to scan another product?

Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels

Scan Another Product