Phenol

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Phenol?

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NOT RECOMMENDED
Danger Score: 7 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Phenol not recommended for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For children aged 5 and up, phenol is not recommended for use on the skin. It can burn skin and be absorbed into the body. Older children are less sensitive than babies, but it still carries real risks.

What to Do

Avoid any over-the-counter lotions, creams, or household skin treatments that list phenol as an ingredient. If a doctor prescribes a product with phenol for a specific medical reason, follow dosing and application instructions exactly. Keep all products that may contain phenol locked away and out of reach of children.

⚠️Warnings

Do not use products that contain phenol on children’s skin. Several government agencies have banned or restricted phenol in cosmetics (for example Health Canada and the European Union cosmetics rules) and some countries limit how it can be used (for example Japan). Health and safety agencies have also noted risks to internal organs and restricted workplace exposures (for example the United States Environmental Protection Agency and similar authorities). If skin contact occurs, rinse the area with water right away and seek medical help for any burning, blistering, or large-area exposure. If you see a product label or safety notice from these agencies about phenol, treat it as a serious warning.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Banned: This ingredient is banned or tightly restricted for use in cosmetics by multiple government bodies. Health Canada and the EU cosmetics rules list it as not allowed in cosmetics, and Japan limits how much can be used. Those official restrictions mean some regulators found it unsafe for regular cosmetic use.
Organ Risk: Official hazard listings classify this chemical as toxic or harmful to body organs. An EU hazard classification notes organ toxicity, the U.S. EPA calls it a known human respiratory toxicant, and medical sources report limited evidence of effects on the heart and liver. Repeated or heavy exposure can hurt organs.
Fertility: A major chemical agency reports this substance as a possible human reproductive or developmental toxin. That means it could affect fertility or cause harm during pregnancy or development in ways that matter for children and future fertility.
Brain Development: Because a regulatory review flags possible developmental toxicity, this chemical could affect how a child’s body and brain develop. The developmental concern from the chemical agency supports caution for babies and pregnant people.
Asthma: The U.S. EPA identifies this chemical as a respiratory toxicant. That means it can irritate or harm the lungs and could make breathing problems or asthma symptoms worse in children sensitive to lung irritants.
Builds Up: Peer‑reviewed studies report the chemical can be persistent and bioaccumulate in wildlife. Although some government reviews differ, the scientific literature shows potential for this substance to stick around and build up in the environment and animals over time.
Environmental: Official hazard labeling and regulatory reviews flag risks to wildlife and the environment. Both EU hazard codes and the U.S. EPA note environmental toxicity, so this ingredient can harm animals and ecosystems if released.
Long-Term Risk: Animal studies and regulatory reviews show toxic effects at low to moderate doses and note data gaps about safety. Combined with persistence concerns, this points to possible long-term health effects from repeated exposures over time.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Phenol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

phenolPHENOL SOLUTION, 5000 MUG/ML IN METHANOL, CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIALPHENOL SOLUTION, CERTIFIED REFERENCE MATERIAL, 500 MUG/ML IN METHANOLPHENOL, PURISS. P.A., ACS REAGENT, REAG. PH. EUR., 99.0-100.5%PHENOL SOLUTION, BIOREAGENT, SATURATED WITH 0.1 M CITRATE BUFFER, PH??4.3 +/- 0.2, FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGYPHENOL, PURISS., MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF PH. EUR., BP, USP, 99.5-100.5% (GC)PHENOL, CONTAINS HYPOPHOSPHOROUS AS STABILIZER, LOOSE CRYSTALS, ACS REAGENT, >=99.0%PHENOL, BIOULTRA, FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGY, TE-SATURATED, ~73% (T)P-HYDROXY POLYSTYRENE (100-200 MESH, 0.5-1.5 MMOL/G)@CRLFMFCD03703209PHENOL SOLUTION, BIOREAGENT, EQUILIBRATED WITH 10??MM TRIS HCL, PH??8.0, 1??MM EDTA, FOR MOLECULAR BIOLOGYPHENOL, PURISS., MEETS ANALYTICAL SPECIFICATION OF PH. EUR., BP, USP, >=99.5% (GC), CRYSTALLINE (DETACHED)

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

Common Questions About Phenol

Is this kid-friendly to use Phenol?

Phenol is not recommended for 5+ year old children due to potential safety risks.

What are the banned risks of Phenol for children?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What are the organ risk risks of Phenol for children?

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

What are the fertility risks of Phenol for children?

Some studies link this to future fertility or reproductive issues.

What are the brain development risks of Phenol for children?

Possible effects on early brain growth and mental development.

What are the asthma risks of Phenol for children?

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

What are the builds up risks of Phenol for children?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use.

What are the environmental risks of Phenol for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What are the long-term risk risks of Phenol for children?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.

What products contain Phenol?

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

When can kids start using products with Phenol?

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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