Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste

skin protectant & rash ointment • For 2-5 year old children • Skin contact 🧴

skin protectant & rash ointment

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Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste - Front

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Ingredient List

Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste - Ingredients

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Safe for preschoolers to use Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste?

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USE WITH CAUTION

Danger Score: 5 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste contains 26 ingredients. 2 caution. Use with Caution ⚠️ Consider preschooler activity levels.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (26 found)

Fragrance

⚠️5/10

Perfume in baby products can cause skin irritation or allergies in 2-5 year olds. It is likely included for fragrance but should be used with caution.

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

⚠️4/10

For 2–5 year olds (preschool children), this ingredient is usually okay when it’s in products you rinse off, like kids’ shampoos and body washes. A small number of children can get skin irritation or an allergic reaction.

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 and young children (2–5 years): phenoxyethanol is commonly used as a preservative and is usually okay when products keep it at low levels (around 1% or less). The main risk is that it can irritate skin, eyes, or cause redness for some children.

Confidence: HIGH

Citric Acid

✅2/10

For children aged 2–5 (toddlers and preschoolers), citric acid in small amounts found in wipes, lotions, and bath products is usually safe. It can sometimes cause mild stinging or irritation, especially on very sensitive or broken skin.

Confidence: HIGH

Ethylhexylglycerin

✅2/10

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2-5): usually safe in small amounts in lotions, creams, and wipes. Most children will not have a problem, but a few people can get skin irritation or an allergic rash.

Confidence: HIGH

PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate

✅2/10

For kids ages 2–5 (toddlers and preschoolers) this ingredient is generally low risk when used on the skin in normal amounts. The main worry is not the ingredient itself but possible small amounts of contaminants that can happen during manufacturing.

Confidence: MEDIUM

PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate

✅2/10

Safety information not properly formatted for easy understanding

Confidence: MEDIUM

Polysorbate 20

✅2/10

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2–5), Polysorbate 20 is usually safe on the skin in common products. Most children will not have problems, but a small number with very sensitive skin may get irritation. The biggest concern is tiny amounts of unwanted contaminants that can come from how the ingredient is made.

Confidence: HIGH

Sodium Benzoate

✅2/10

For children ages 2-5 (toddlers, preschoolers), sodium benzoate is usually safe in small amounts when it's in products made for kids. Big safety reviewers and government agencies generally see low risk at the low levels used in lotions and wipes, but there are rules that limit how much can be used.

Confidence: HIGH

Sodium Hydroxide

✅2/10

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2–5), this ingredient can be safe when it’s used in very small amounts and the final product is pH-balanced for skin. It is a strong chemical by itself and can irritate or burn if concentrated or not properly neutralized.

Confidence: HIGH

Carbomer

✅1/10

For toddlers and young children (2-5 years) carbomer is usually safe when used on the skin. It is a thickener found in many lotions and wipes. Long-term health risks are not expected, but there are worries about possible contamination and occasional skin or eye irritation.

Confidence: MEDIUM

Cetearyl Alcohol

✅1/10

Cetearyl alcohol is a mild fatty alcohol used to soften and thicken lotions and creams. For toddlers and young children (ages 2–5) it is usually safe on the skin and is not commonly linked to serious harms.

Confidence: HIGH

Cetyl Alcohol

✅1/10

For toddlers and preschoolers (2–5 years), cetyl alcohol is usually safe when used on normal, unbroken skin. It helps moisturize and thicken creams. Reactions are uncommon but possible.

Confidence: HIGH

Coconut Oil

✅1/10

Coconut oil is widely used in baby care for moisturizing and is generally safe for 2-5 years 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

Decyl Glucoside

✅1/10

For children 2–5 years old (toddlers and preschoolers), decyl glucoside is a gentle soap-like ingredient used to clean hair and skin. Most kids tolerate it well, but a few people can get skin irritation or an allergic rash.

Confidence: HIGH

Glycerin

✅1/10

For toddlers and young children (2–5 years old), glycerin used in lotions and wipes is generally safe. It helps skin hold moisture and rarely causes harm.

Confidence: HIGH

Glyceryl Stearate

✅1/10

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2–5), glyceryl stearate is low risk. It’s commonly used in creams and lotions to make them smooth and stable and is generally well tolerated by young children.

Confidence: HIGH

Isopropyl Palmitate

✅1/10

For toddlers and young children (2-5 years), this ingredient is usually safe. It helps moisturize and soften skin and is not linked to serious health risks. A small number of children may get mild irritation or pimples on sensitive skin.

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: HIGH

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate

✅1/10

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2-5), this mineral is generally safe to have in creams, lotions, and cleansers. It has low concern for cancer, allergies, or developmental harm and does not build up in the body.

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 children aged 2-5 years (toddlers and preschoolers), this ingredient is generally low risk. It is commonly used in shampoos and body washes and has low concern for cancer, allergies, or effects on growth and development. The main possible issue is mild skin or eye irritation in some children.

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

Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate

✅1/10

For toddlers and preschoolers (2–5 years), this is a mild soap-like ingredient used to help clean skin and hair. Most of the time it is low risk when used in rinse-off products like shampoos and body washes.

Confidence: HIGH

Stearic Acid

✅1/10

For toddlers and preschoolers (2-5 years), stearic acid is generally safe on the skin when used in normal baby or children’s creams and wipes. It has low concerns for cancer, allergies, or developmental effects according to regulatory reviews.

Confidence: HIGH

Titanium Dioxide

✅1/10

For 2–5 year olds (toddlers and preschoolers), titanium dioxide used on skin in creams or lotions is low risk. It mostly sits on top of the skin and is not absorbed. Bigger risks come from breathing in powders or sprays.

Confidence: HIGH

Xanthan Gum

✅1/10

For toddlers and preschoolers (2–5 years), xanthan gum is usually safe when used in creams, lotions and baby wipes. It thickens products and mainly stays on the skin. Most children do not have problems with it.

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

p-Anisic Acid

✅1/10

For children 2–5 years old (toddlers and preschoolers), P-anisic acid is usually low risk when it appears in small amounts in skin products.

Confidence: MEDIUM

Water

✅0/10

For children aged 2-5 years (toddlers and preschoolers), plain water used on the skin is very safe. Water by itself does not cause harm and is commonly the main ingredient in wipes and lotions.

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

Preschooler-safe? Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste

Use caution with Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste for 2-5 year old children. Some ingredients may pose concerns.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 26 ingredients in Desitin Maximum Strength Zinc Oxide Diaper Rash Paste. 2 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

Is this suitable for preschoolers to using skin protectant & rash ointment?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. 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.