Desitin Maximum Strength Paste

skin protectant & rash ointment • For 0-6 month old infants • Skin contact 🧴

skin protectant & rash ointment

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Ingredient List

Desitin Maximum Strength Paste - Ingredients

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Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Desitin Maximum Strength Paste?

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NO - AVOID

Danger Score: 11 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: Desitin Maximum Strength Paste contains 11 ingredients. 1 concerning, 3 caution. Concerning - Has Problematic Ingredients ⚠️ Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (11 found)

Fragrance

🚨6/10

Premium Fragrance Oil is a vague term for fragrance blends that may contain allergens or irritants not disclosed. Fragrances often cause skin sensitivity in babies under 6 months.

Irritant - Fragrance mixtures often contain chemicals that can cause skin irritation, redness, or rashes, especially on sensitive baby skin.

Eczema - Fragrances are known triggers for eczema flare-ups and can worsen symptoms in babies with sensitive or atopic skin.

Asthma - Fragrance chemicals can release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that may worsen asthma or breathing issues in babies and children.

Hormones - Some fragrance ingredients, such as certain phthalates, are suspected endocrine disruptors that may interfere with hormone development.

Absorbed - Certain fragrance chemicals can be absorbed through the skin and detected in the bloodstream, raising concerns for systemic exposure.

Breast Milk - Some fragrance components, including phthalates, have been detected in breast milk, indicating they can pass from mother to baby.

Banned - Some fragrance ingredients are banned or restricted in the EU and other countries due to health concerns.

Builds Up - Certain fragrance chemicals, such as some phthalates and musks, can accumulate in the body over time with repeated exposure.

Long-Term Risk - Long-term exposure to some fragrance chemicals has been linked to chronic health effects, including hormone disruption and allergic diseases.

Confidence: HIGH

Petrolatum

⚠️5/10

Usually okay for infants when very pure and used sparingly as a moisture barrier, but purity matters a lot at this age.

Banned - In the EU, this ingredient is restricted unless it is very pure, because it can carry PAH leftovers from oil. This rule comes from the EU Cosmetics Directive.

Organ Risk - Canada’s environmental health agency lists it as expected to be harmful and a high health priority. With repeat use, it may stress organs like the liver.

Builds Up - Studies in people (2015) and in lab rats (2017) found mineral oil parts can collect in body tissues over time. Small daily amounts can add up.

Long-Term Risk - Because it can build up in the body and may carry PAH impurities, risks can grow with years of use. Purity limits in the EU were set to lower this risk.

Confidence: MEDIUM

Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate

⚠️4/10

Ingredient name is complex and uncommon. It may be an antioxidant or stabilizer but not typical in baby products. Possible misreading or typo.

No Known Risk - Pentaerythrityl Tetra-di-t-butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate is considered a safe antioxidant for topical use in cosmetics, with no evidence of irritation, sensitization, or other health risks in current research and regulatory reviews.

Confidence: MEDIUM

Tocopheryl Acetate

⚠️4/10

Usually fine in tiny amounts on a newborn’s healthy skin, but infants are extra sensitive. Some babies can react, and there are concerns about tiny impurities in some sources.

Irritant - A cosmetic safety review panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) found strong human evidence that this can trigger skin allergy. That means it may cause redness, itch, or rash, especially on sensitive baby skin.

Immune system - Moderate concern for allergy and immune reactions on skin was flagged by a cosmetic safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Some kids may have an immune response like hives or swelling.

Absorbed - Tests note enhanced skin absorption for this form of vitamin E. This means a small amount can pass through the skin and enter the body after use.

Long-Term Risk - There is a high concern for a trace impurity (hydroquinone). European health regulators and other agencies restrict that impurity because of safety worries with long-term use.

Environmental - Environment Canada lists it as a suspected environmental toxin, though data are limited. It may harm water life if it builds up in waterways.

Confidence: MEDIUM

Beeswax

✅3/10

Beeswax is usually safe for newborn skin when used in small amounts as part of a cream or balm.

Confidence: MEDIUM-HIGH

Lanolin

✅3/10

Lanolin is generally safe as a moisturizer but may cause allergic reactions in sensitive infants especially under 6 months

Confidence: HIGH

Sorbitan Sesquioleate

✅3/10

For newborns and young babies (0–6 months), this ingredient is generally considered low risk. It’s used as an emulsifier (helps oil and water mix). Still, baby skin is very sensitive, so we recommend being careful.

No Known Risk - Current safety reviews and a government health assessment find no health hazards from normal topical use and classify it as low priority for human health. An industry safety review notes some data gaps and recommends limits on how it is used, but no concerns above low were identified.

Confidence: LOW

Cod Liver Oil

✅2/10

For infants (0-6 months) cod liver oil is likely low risk but we should be careful. Authorities have not flagged it as toxic, but babies have very sensitive skin and can sometimes react to oils.

No Known Risk - Available safety notes rate cancer, allergy, reproductive, and use-restriction concerns as low for topical use. Environment Canada classifies cod liver oil as not expected to be toxic, a low human-health priority, and not suspected to be an environmental toxin. Taken together, these findings show no identified health risks for topical use.

Confidence: MEDIUM

Corn Starch

✅2/10

Zea Mays Starch is corn starch used as an absorbent in baby products generally safe but rare allergy risk in infants

No Known Risk - Corn starch is widely used in baby powders and topical products, and current research does not show any significant health risks when used on intact skin. It is generally considered safe for topical use on babies, with no evidence linking it to irritation, hormone disruption, cancer, or other long-term health effects. However, care should be taken to avoid inhalation of powders, but for topical use, there are no known risks.

Confidence: HIGH

Glycerin

✅2/10

For newborns and infants (0–6 months): glycerin is a common, mild moisturizer found in many baby lotions and wipes. When used at normal levels in products made for babies, it is usually safe and well tolerated.

Confidence: HIGH

Zinc Oxide

✅1/10

Generally safe for topical use on 0 to 6 month babies, commonly used in diaper rash creams and barrier lotions, with minimal absorption through intact skin

Confidence: HIGH

Common Questions About Desitin Maximum Strength Paste

Is this newborn-safe? Desitin Maximum Strength Paste

Desitin Maximum Strength Paste is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 11 ingredients in Desitin Maximum Strength Paste. 1 concerning, 3 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

When can newborns start using skin protectant & rash ointment?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

⚠️ Important Disclaimers

Product Recognition: Product names are identified programatically and may be incorrect. Always verify product identity yourself.

Safety Analysis: Evaluations are for research only - consult pediatricians for medical decisions. Do not rely solely on this analysis.

No Guarantees: Results may be incomplete or inaccurate. Do not rely solely on this analysis.