Oleic Acid

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Oleic Acid?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Oleic Acid 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 years and up, oleic acid (a skin-softening fatty acid) is usually safe in normal skin creams and lotions. Big health hazards like cancer or effects on growth are rated low, so they are not the main worry for school-age kids.

What to Do

Use products formulated for children or regular family skincare products that list oleic acid as a small ingredient. Do a small patch test on the inside of the forearm first and wait 24 hours. Don’t apply concentrated or raw oleic acid directly to your child’s skin. Avoid using it on broken, very red, or eczema‑prone skin. If your child develops redness, swelling, or stinging, stop use and wash the area; see a doctor if it looks severe or gets worse.

⚠️Warnings

What to watch for and avoid: mild skin, eye or breathing irritation in sensitive kids (source: European Chemicals Agency). It can increase absorption of other ingredients, so avoid high‑concentration use or applying with other strong actives (source: industry safety reviews). There are some limits and recommended concentration controls noted by industry reviewers (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) and limited safety data in some uses (source: FDA notes on food/additive use). One laboratory test showed a mutation result in cells (source: EPA) — this does not equal proven harm in children but is a reason to be cautious. Also note that some product standards require documentation before they include this ingredient (source: regulatory/product verification guidance).

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Absorbed: Regulatory notes indicate oleic acid can enhance skin absorption and people can be exposed to it from multiple products, so it can get through the skin into the body (FDA notes multiple, additive exposure sources; an industry safety review also flags enhanced absorption and data gaps).
Irritant: A European chemical agency found limited evidence that oleic acid can irritate skin, eyes, or the lungs, so it may cause redness, stinging, or breathing irritation in sensitive babies.
Environmental: A national environmental agency has flagged oleic acid as a suspected environmental toxin, and a European agency reports limited evidence of environmental harm, so it may pose risks to wildlife or ecosystems if released widely.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Oleic Acid

This ingredient may also be listed as:

oleic acidUNII-79P21R4317 COMPONENT ZQPPMHVWECSIRJ-KTKRTIGZSA-NUNII-MO7HV04S9Y COMPONENT ZQPPMHVWECSIRJ-KTKRTIGZSA-N459CE4C0-C836-4249-8E2D-69874B714E9COLEIC ACID, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARDUNII-V1PY73ZXPE COMPONENT ZQPPMHVWECSIRJ-KTKRTIGZSA-NOLEIC ACID, PHARMAGRADE, MANUFACTURED UNDER APPROPRIATE CONTROLS FOR USE AS RAW MATERIAL IN PHARMA OR BIOPHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTION.UNII-UDR641JW8W COMPONENT ZQPPMHVWECSIRJ-KTKRTIGZSA-NUNII-ODL221H4AM COMPONENT ZQPPMHVWECSIRJ-KTKRTIGZSA-NOLEIC ACID, PHARMACEUTICAL SECONDARY STANDARD; CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALOLEIC ACID, MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF PH, EUR., 65.0-88.0% (GC)

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

Products Containing Oleic Acid

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Oleic Acid or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Oleic Acid

Is this kid-friendly to use Oleic Acid?

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

What are the absorbed risks of Oleic Acid for children?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream.

What are the irritant risks of Oleic Acid for children?

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

What are the environmental risks of Oleic Acid for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What products contain Oleic Acid?

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

When can kids start using products with Oleic Acid?

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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