Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste

skin protectant & rash ointment • For 1-2 year old toddlersSkin contact 🧴

skin protectant & rash ointment

Product Images

Product Photo

Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste - Front

Tap to enlarge

Ingredient List

Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste - Ingredients

Tap to enlarge

Is this toddler-safe to use Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste?

🚫
NO - AVOID
Danger Score: 11 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste contains 26 ingredients. 1 concerning, 1 caution. Concerning - Has Problematic Ingredients ⚠️ Watch for toddler-specific sensitivities.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (26 found)

Fragrance
🚨6/10
Perfume in baby products can cause skin irritation or allergic reactions in 1-2 year olds. It is often added for scent but should be used cautiously.
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
Cocamidopropyl Betaine
⚠️5/10
For toddlers (1-2 years old), this ingredient is commonly used in baby shampoos and washes to create foam and help clean. It is moderately safe in rinse-off products when manufacturers control impurities, but it can sometimes cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.
Immune system - Cosmetic safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review and draft safety reports) report limited evidence that cocamidopropyl betaine can sensitize skin or trigger allergic reactions. That means it can affect the immune system in some people, especially those with sensitive skin.
Irritant - Industry safety assessments note limited evidence of skin sensitization and explicitly warn the ingredient may be unsafe in products left on the skin (not rinsed off). This shows it can cause redness, itching, or irritation for some users.
Eczema - Safety panels and reports observed cases of sensitization and recommend limits on use and product types. Because it can provoke skin reactions, it may trigger or worsen eczema in sensitive children.
Cancer - Regulatory and industry reviews flag contamination concerns for this ingredient, including nitrosamines and related amines. Nitrosamines are known to be carcinogenic, so impurity risks raise a cancer concern unless impurities are controlled as industry reviewers recommend.
Banned - Expert panels and tentative regulatory reports recommend use, concentration, and manufacturing restrictions for this ingredient and note it is unsafe in some product types (leave-on). While not universally banned, it is subject to regulatory or industry limits in some contexts.
Environmental - A national environmental agency (Environment Canada) flagged this ingredient as a suspected environmental toxin, indicating possible harm to ecosystems if released into the environment.
Confidence: HIGH
Phenoxyethanol
3/10
For toddlers (1–2 years) phenoxyethanol is usually safe in skin products when used at the low levels manufacturers follow (around 1% or less). It helps prevent germs in creams and lotions. The main issue is that it can sometimes cause skin irritation or, rarely, allergic reactions.
Confidence: HIGH
Sodium Hydroxide
3/10
For toddlers (1–2 years), small amounts of this ingredient in finished, well‑formulated products are usually low risk. It becomes dangerous if present at high strength because it can burn or strongly irritate skin and eyes.
Confidence: HIGH
Citric Acid
2/10
For toddlers (1-2 years), citric acid in normal skin products is usually safe at the low levels used. It helps control product pH and keep products stable. The biggest concern is skin or eye irritation, not long-term disease.
Confidence: HIGH
Decyl Glucoside
2/10
For toddlers (1-2 years): generally low risk in gentle, rinse-off baby and toddler cleansers. Most children tolerate it well, but some can get irritation or an allergic rash, especially children with eczema or very sensitive skin.
Confidence: HIGH
Ethylhexylglycerin
2/10
For toddlers (1–2 years), this ingredient is generally low risk when used in normal baby products. It can sometimes irritate skin or eyes and, rarely, cause allergic skin reactions.
Confidence: HIGH
PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate
2/10
For toddlers (1-2 years): mostly low risk when used on normal, unbroken skin. It helps lotions and creams spread but there are manufacturing impurity concerns that make it worth being careful.
Confidence: MEDIUM
PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate
2/10
For toddlers (1–2 years), PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate is usually low risk when used on the skin in normal rinse-off or wipe products. It helps products spread and mix. But some safety reviews show it can cause skin allergy in some people and there are concerns about possible manufacturing impurities.
Confidence: HIGH
Polysorbate 20
2/10
For toddlers (1-2 years), Polysorbate 20 is usually low risk when used in normal amounts. It helps mix water and oils and is commonly found in wash-off products like shampoos and cleansers.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Sodium Benzoate
2/10
For toddlers (1–2 years old) sodium benzoate is usually low risk when used in small amounts in wipes, lotions or shampoos made for children. It helps prevent germs in products, but can sometimes bother sensitive skin.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate
2/10
For toddlers (1-2 years). This ingredient is a gentle cleanser and is usually low risk. It’s commonly used in baby shampoos, body washes, and wipes and is not linked to cancer or developmental problems in the available data.
Confidence: HIGH
Titanium Dioxide
2/10
For toddlers (1-2 years) titanium dioxide in creams or sunscreens is usually low risk because it stays on the skin surface. The bigger worry is breathing in very fine powder or spray forms.
Confidence: HIGH
p-Anisic Acid
2/10
For toddlers (1-2 years), this ingredient is generally low risk when used on the skin in normal amounts. Most big health concerns are rated low. But young children’s skin is sensitive, so watch for irritation.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Carbomer
1/10
For a 1-2 year old toddler, Carbomer (a common thickener in lotions and wipes) is generally considered safe for topical use. It’s not linked to cancer or developmental problems at usual levels, but there are some manufacturing-related contamination worries and a small chance of irritation.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Cetearyl Alcohol
1/10
For toddlers and young children (1-2 years) cetearyl alcohol is usually safe when applied to the skin. It is a moisturizing, non-greasy ingredient used in lotions and creams and has a low reported risk in safety reviews.
Confidence: HIGH
Cetyl Alcohol
1/10
For toddlers (1–2 years), cetyl alcohol is usually safe. It helps creams feel smooth and rarely causes problems. Most children won’t have any reaction, but kids with very sensitive skin or eczema may be more likely to react.
Confidence: HIGH
Coconut Oil
1/10
Coconut oil is widely used in baby care for moisturizing and is generally safe for 1-2 years old unless allergic
No Known Risk - Coconut oil is widely used topically for babies and is generally considered safe. There is no strong evidence linking it to irritation, allergies, hormone disruption, cancer, or other health risks when used on healthy baby skin. Rare allergic reactions are possible, but not common enough to warrant a risk label based on current research.
Confidence: HIGH
Glycerin
1/10
For toddlers (1-2 years), glycerin is commonly used and considered low risk when included in normal baby products like lotions, wipes, and diaper creams. It helps skin stay hydrated and is rarely a problem.
Confidence: HIGH
Glyceryl Stearate
1/10
For toddlers (1–2 years) glyceryl stearate is generally safe. It helps creams and wipes feel smooth and usually does not cause serious problems. Most experts say the chance of long-term harm or cancer is very low.
Confidence: HIGH
Isopropyl Palmitate
1/10
For toddlers (1–2 years) isopropyl palmitate is commonly used in lotions and wipes and is generally low risk when used in typical products. It is not linked to major long-term health problems, but it can sometimes irritate sensitive skin or contribute to clogged pores.
No Known Risk - Reviews and government assessments did not find health hazards above a low level for normal topical use. Safety panels note use limits and some data gaps, but regulators have called it low priority for human health, do not expect it to build up in the body or the environment, and allow limited food uses. Taken together, current evidence does not show any health risks above low for typical use.
Confidence: MEDIUM
Magnesium Aluminum Silicate
1/10
For toddlers (1-2 years old) — also called babies, little ones, or young children — this clay-like ingredient is usually low risk when used on the skin in normal creams, lotions or cleansers. It’s mainly a thickener and is not linked to cancer or fertility problems at typical use levels. The biggest concern is irritation if the product creates dust or is inhaled.
No Known Risk - Independent safety reviews and government assessments (Environment Canada and an industry safety review) find this ingredient is not expected to be toxic to organs, not likely to build up in the body, and show only low concern for cancer, allergies, or reproductive harm. A European chemicals agency notes limited evidence of respiratory irritation, but that finding is minor. Overall, no health hazards above a low level were identified for typical topical use.
Confidence: HIGH
PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide
1/10
For toddlers (1–2 years), this ingredient is generally safe in rinse-off products like gentle shampoos and body washes. It is a mild cleansing ingredient with low reported concerns.
No Known Risk - A cosmetic safety review panel evaluated this ingredient and found it safe for use in skin products when kept to the recommended amounts. The panel noted a small chance of skin or eye irritation and said it should be formulated to avoid irritation, but no higher-level hazards were identified.
Confidence: HIGH
Stearic Acid
1/10
For toddlers (1–2 years), stearic acid is usually safe in small amounts in creams or lotions. It helps products feel smooth and stay mixed, and most children won’t have problems from it.
Confidence: HIGH
Xanthan Gum
1/10
For toddlers (1–2 years), xanthan gum used on the skin is generally safe. It’s a common ingredient in baby wipes, lotions and creams and usually does not cause irritation or allergy.
No Known Risk - Safety reviews and regulatory assessments find no health hazards above a low level for topical use. It is approved for limited use in food, classified as not expected to be toxic and a low human-health priority, and not suspected to be an environmental toxin. Cosmetic industry reviewers note only guidance on concentrations or purity. Because no concern was rated above low, no specific risks were identified for babies or children.
Confidence: HIGH
Water
0/10
Water is very safe for toddlers (1-2 years old) to have on their skin. It is the main base in wipes and baby lotions and is not considered harmful when used as intended.
No Known Risk - Regulatory reviews (Environment Canada) find plain water is not expected to be toxic, not bioaccumulative, and not an environmental toxin. Safety summaries list no concerns above a low level for organ harm, reproductive effects, or other long‑term risks for topical use, so no specific health risks are identified for use on skin.
Confidence: HIGH

Common Questions About Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste

Toddler-friendly? Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste

Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste is not recommended for 1-2 year old toddlers due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 26 ingredients in Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste. 1 concerning, 1 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

When can toddlers using skin protectant & rash ointment?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 1-2 year old toddlers. 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.