Honey

Honey molecular structure

6-12 month old babies • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Honey?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Honey is generally considered safe for 6-12 month old babies when used in topical products. Monitor for any reactions in older babies.

ℹ️General Overview

For babies 6–12 months (infants, babies), honey on the skin is usually low risk and can be used to help moisturize or soothe. A small number of people can have allergic skin reactions.

✅What to Do

Do a small patch test on your baby's arm and wait 24 hours before using it more widely. Don’t put honey on broken or irritated skin. Keep honey-containing products away from the mouth and lips so the baby won’t lick them. If your baby has known allergies, talk with your pediatrician before use.

⚠️Warnings

Stop use and see a doctor if your baby develops a rash, redness, swelling, hives, or any breathing trouble — allergy concerns come from case reports and ingredient reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). There are contamination concerns such as 5‑hydroxymethylfurfural noted by safety reviews, and a few animal studies showed hormone effects at very high doses. Also be aware that some product-verification programs restrict honey unless manufacturers provide safety data. Finally, avoid allowing babies under 12 months to ingest honey-containing products because of ingestion risks.

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:

Immune system: Honey has been linked to allergy and immune reactions in people. Medical case reports show severe allergic responses (including anaphylaxis) after exposure, and ingredient safety reviews list honey as associated with immunotoxicity or allergies. Because these are real allergic reactions in humans, honey can be a risk for children who are allergic or become sensitized.
Eczema: There are documented human skin cases where honey caused contact urticaria and other allergic skin reactions after use on skin. A clinical case report described skin sensitization from topical use, so honey can trigger or worsen eczema or similar skin problems in sensitive children.
Irritant: Reports of dermal allergic reactions and contact urticaria indicate honey can cause redness, itching or rashes when applied to skin. Safety reviews and case reports support that topical use may irritate sensitive baby skin.
Long-Term Risk: Ingredient reviews note contamination concerns (for example, the heat-formed compound 5‑hydroxymethylfurfural) found in some honey preparations. This kind of contaminant is flagged at a low-to-moderate concern level, so repeated long-term exposure may pose a small additional risk.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Honey

This ingredient may also be listed as:

mel/honeyhoneySPRAY DRIED HONEY POWDERMELHONEY

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

Products Containing Honey

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Common Questions About Honey

Can older babies safely use Honey?

Yes, Honey is generally considered safe for 6-12 month old babies based on current research.

What are the immune system risks of Honey for older babies?

Could weaken or confuse immune system. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the eczema risks of Honey for older babies?

Linked to triggering or worsening eczema and similar skin conditions. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the irritant risks of Honey for older babies?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the long-term risk risks of Honey for older babies?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain Honey?

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

Is this appropriate for older babies to using products with Honey?

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.

📱

Want to scan another product?

Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels

Scan Another Product