Neutrogena Pure & Free® baby zinc oxide sunscreen stick

sunscreen • For 0-6 month old infantsSkin contact 🧴

sunscreen

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Neutrogena Pure & Free® baby zinc oxide sunscreen stick - Front

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Ingredient List

Neutrogena Pure & Free® baby zinc oxide sunscreen stick - Ingredients

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Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Neutrogena Pure & Free® baby zinc oxide sunscreen stick?

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NO - AVOID
Danger Score: 11 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Neutrogena Pure & Free® baby zinc oxide sunscreen stick contains 14 ingredients. 1 concerning, 4 caution. Concerning - Has Problematic Ingredients ⚠️ Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (14 found)

Isopropyl Myristate
🚨6/10
For babies 0–6 months old (newborns, infants) this ingredient is best avoided when possible. It can make skin more likely to absorb other substances and has been linked to some cases of contact allergy. Overall health risks are low in adults, but infants have thinner, more absorbent skin, so we are more cautious.
Absorbed - Laboratory research shows isopropyl myristate can act as a penetration enhancer and help other substances pass through the skin (a study tested transdermal permeation). That means it can increase how much gets into a child’s body when used on the skin.
Irritant - Published human case reports have linked isopropyl myristate to allergic contact dermatitis (skin redness, itching, or rash) after use. These are real, documented skin reactions in people.
Immune system - Case studies report allergic reactions to this ingredient, showing it can trigger the immune system in some people and lead to sensitization or allergic responses.
Eczema - Because it has been reported to cause contact dermatitis in humans, isopropyl myristate may trigger or worsen eczema or similar skin conditions in sensitive children.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Triethoxycaprylylsilane
⚠️5/10
For infants (0-6 months), there is very little safety information. Most studies mark this ingredient as low concern for things like cancer or allergies, but some government and scientific bodies have noted possible effects on hormone systems and some limited irritation to skin or eyes. Because newborn skin is delicate and absorbs more, extra caution is wise.
No Known Risk - The available safety evaluations show only low or limited concerns — a possible link to hormone effects is listed as low, and reports of skin or eye irritation are limited. Environmental toxicity is noted but there are no stronger human-health hazards identified in the provided data. Because no concerns were reported above a low level, there are no specific higher-level risks flagged for children using this ingredient.
Confidence: LOW
Ozokerite
⚠️4/10
For infants (0-6 months): Ozokerite is a mineral wax that is usually low in toxicity, but there is some evidence that waxy components can build up in the body over time. Because babies have very delicate, thin skin and their bodies are still developing, it’s better to be cautious with products that contain this ingredient.
Builds Up - Research shows mineral-wax components like ozokerite can collect in body tissues over time (studies from 2015 and 2017 document accumulation of mineral oil hydrocarbons and wax components in humans and in lab animals). A cosmetic safety review panel also notes concerns and recommends limits, which means this ingredient can build up with repeated use.
Absorbed - Studies have found mineral oil–type hydrocarbons from waxy ingredients present inside body tissues, showing these materials can be taken up into the body after topical use (see human tissue analysis from 2015 and animal accumulation data from 2017). The cosmetic industry review also flags data gaps about exposure levels.
Organ Risk - Animal research (2017) documents that waxy mineral hydrocarbons can accumulate in organs in lab animals, raising concern that repeated exposure could affect organs like the liver or lymph nodes. The industry safety review points to these accumulation findings as important for assessing risk.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Synthetic Wax
⚠️4/10
For newborns and babies 0–6 months: synthetic wax is generally seen as low risk in adults, but there is some research showing related waxes can collect in body tissues. Because a baby’s skin is very thin and they absorb more from products, it’s better to be careful.
Builds Up - Lab and tissue analyses show components of these waxes can collect in body fat and organs over time. Animal studies and human tissue work found mineral-oil hydrocarbons that do not clear quickly, and the ingredient is flagged for possible persistence and bioaccumulation (low–moderate). This means repeated use could lead to higher levels in the body.
Absorbed - Tests have measured wax-related hydrocarbons inside animal and human tissues, which means parts of the ingredient can enter the body rather than stay only on the skin. Because it can get into tissues, there is a route for internal exposure from topical use.
Environmental - Some assessments note possible persistence and tendency to build up, raising concern for the environment if released widely. While other regulatory reviews have not found it to be clearly persistent, the mixed findings mean there is a real, if modest, environmental worry about long-term build-up.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer
⚠️4/10
Cannot understand what Adipic Acid/Diglycol Crosspolymer is it might be a misreading or a typo no clear safety data available
Confidence: HIGH
Neopentyl Glycol Diethylhexanoate
3/10
For infants (0–6 months), this ingredient appears to be low risk based on available safety listings, but it has not been well studied in newborns. Because baby skin is more sensitive and absorbs more, it’s best to be cautious.
No Known Risk - Reviews of this ingredient show only low-level concerns (for cancer, allergies, and reproductive effects) and no higher hazards. An industry safety review notes rules for how it is used, but no clear harm above a low level was found for normal skin use. For typical topical use on children, there are no real risks identified in the provided data.
Confidence: LOW
Neopentyl Glycol Diisostearate
3/10
This ingredient is used to soften and smooth skin. Overall evidence shows low concern for serious problems, but there is little information about use on newborns and babies under 6 months. Because baby skin is more sensitive, it’s best to be cautious.
No Known Risk - Safety reviews list only low-level concerns for cancer, allergies/immune effects, and reproductive or developmental effects. An industry safety panel notes use restrictions and formulation limits but does not report clear harms from normal topical use. Because no health concerns above low were identified, there are no specific child health risks flagged for this ingredient.
Confidence: LOW
Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate
3/10
For infants (newborns, babies 0–6 months) this ingredient is generally considered low risk in adults, and is used as a skin-softening oil. There is limited information specifically for newborn skin, and it can sometimes cause mild skin or eye irritation.
No Known Risk - A cosmetic safety review found this ingredient safe for use in products when used with some limits. A European chemicals review noted only limited evidence of skin or eye irritation, rare allergy reports, and limited environmental harm. No higher-level harms (like cancer, hormone harm, or organ damage) were reported. For most children this ingredient poses no known health risk beyond a low chance of mild irritation.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Paraffin
3/10
For infants (0-6 months): Paraffin is generally considered low risk, but because baby skin is very delicate and can absorb or trap things more easily, it’s best to be careful. Some studies and government reviews have found that paraffin/mineral oil components can build up in the body after repeated use.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil
2/10
Avena Sativa Kernel Oil (oat kernel oil) is a gentle plant oil used to soften and moisturize newborn and baby skin. For most infants it is low risk, but a very small number of babies can have skin reactions.
No Known Risk - Reviews by cosmetic safety experts show only low-level concerns for cancer, allergies, and reproductive effects for oat kernel oil used on skin. The safety panel notes some data gaps and that makers may limit concentration or purity, but no clear hazards at normal topical use were found.
Confidence: HIGH
C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate
2/10
For infants (0–6 months, newborns, babies) this ingredient is generally low risk and is used to make creams and wipes feel smooth. But because baby skin is very delicate, we should be careful.
Confidence: HIGH
Caprylyl Glycol
2/10
For infants (newborns and babies 0–6 months), Caprylyl Glycol is usually low risk when it’s in baby lotions, wipes, or creams at low amounts. Most babies won’t have a problem, but newborn skin is more sensitive so we recommend extra caution.
No Known Risk - Government and industry safety reviews found no clear health hazards for skin use. Tests say it is not likely to build up in the body, not persistent in the environment, and not harmful to organs. Industry reviewers do note limits on how much can be used and some data gaps, but overall the ingredient is rated low concern for topical use.
Confidence: HIGH
Silica
2/10
Silica is used as an absorbent or anti-caking agent and is generally considered safe for topical use but data for infants under 6 months is limited
Confidence: MEDIUM
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 Neutrogena Pure & Free® baby zinc oxide sunscreen stick

Is this newborn-safe? Neutrogena Pure & Free® baby zinc oxide sunscreen stick

Neutrogena Pure & Free® baby zinc oxide sunscreen stick is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 14 ingredients in Neutrogena Pure & Free® baby zinc oxide sunscreen stick. 1 concerning, 4 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

When can newborns start using sunscreen?

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.