For babies 6–12 months (older infants), cetearyl alcohol is generally safe. It’s a fatty alcohol that helps moisturizers feel smooth and keeps creams from separating. Most babies tolerate it well.
Use baby products that are fragrance-free and made for infants. Try a small patch on your baby’s inner arm before regular use. Don’t put products with this ingredient on broken, red, or very irritated skin. If your baby has eczema or very sensitive skin, check with your pediatrician before regular use.
Watch for any redness, rash, hives, or swelling after use — these can be signs of a contact allergy (limited evidence noted by the European Chemicals Agency). Industry safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) recommend concentration limits in some products, so prefer reputable baby brands and avoid products with many added fragrances or unnecessary additives. Environment Canada notes environmental concerns, though this does not change how to use it on baby skin.
Scan the full ingredient label and understand if it's safe for your child.
This ingredient has the following documented risks:
Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.
This ingredient may also be listed as:
Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.
This ingredient is found in the following products:
This list shows products that contain Cetearyl Alcohol or its alternative names.
Scientific research related to this ingredient:
These research articles provide scientific evidence about Cetearyl Alcohol safety and effects.
Yes, Cetearyl Alcohol is generally considered safe for 6-12 month old babies based on current research.
Possible negative effects on the environment This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.
Cetearyl Alcohol is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.
The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 6-12 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.
Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels
Scan Another Product