ANBESOL

oral pain reliever • For 6-12 month old babies • Skin contact 🧴

oral pain reliever

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Ingredient List

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Can older babies use ANBESOL?

🚫

NO - AVOID

Danger Score: 45 (Lower is safer)

Quick Answer: ANBESOL contains 12 ingredients. 2 avoid, 1 concerning, 4 caution. Avoid - Contains Dangerous Ingredients 🚫 Monitor for any reactions in older babies.

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Ingredients Analysis (12 found)

Benzocaine

🚫10/10

For infants 6–12 months (babies), benzocaine is not safe to use on the skin or gums. Authorities have restricted or banned its use in cosmetic products, and babies are at special risk for a rare but serious reaction that affects breathing and oxygen levels.

Banned - Health Canada and the EU Cosmetics Directive list benzocaine as banned or unsafe for use in cosmetics. Those official bans mean regulators found reasons to restrict this ingredient in products applied to the skin.

Cancer - The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reports limited evidence that benzocaine may be linked to cancer. That means some studies raise concern that long‑term exposure could raise cancer risk.

Absorbed - The ingredient record flags enhanced skin absorption, and agencies (ECHA and the U.S. National Library of Medicine) note limited evidence of dermal toxicity or allergic reactions. This shows benzocaine can get through skin and enter the body, which can matter for small children.

Confidence: HIGH

D&C yellow no. 10

🚫8/10

For a 6–12 month old baby (infant), this synthetic yellow dye is best avoided. There are reports of impurities (like heavy metals), some evidence of hormone-related activity, and occasional allergic or nervous system reactions. Regulators place limits on how it can be used, and it is not allowed around the eyes.

Immune system - A scientific re-evaluation report and case studies found people had immune or allergic reactions to this dye. That report specifically notes human cases of allergic or immune effects, so it can trigger immune responses in some users.

Eczema - Human case reports in the scientific re-evaluation noted allergic skin reactions. That means this ingredient can worsen or trigger eczema and related rashes in sensitive children.

Brain Development - Case studies and a scientific opinion report describe possible nervous-system effects in people exposed to this dye. Because of those reports, there is concern about effects on the developing brain with exposure.

Organ Risk - The ingredient record flags contamination concerns including heavy metals and industrial contaminants (for example cadmium and aniline). These contaminants are known to harm organs like the liver and kidneys with repeated exposure, so contaminated batches pose organ risk.

Absorbed - This color is used on skin and the ingredient notes call out enhanced skin absorption. That means some of the chemical (and any contaminants) can get through baby or child skin and enter the body.

Banned - Regulators restrict how this color can be used. For example, a major national regulator does not approve it for cosmetics around the eyes and enforces concentration/usage limits. Those official rules mean it is restricted or banned for certain uses.

Confidence: HIGH

FD&C red no. 40

🚨7/10

Red 40 is a synthetic dye not approved for topical use in infants and may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions

Irritant - Red 40 (Allura Red AC) has been reported to cause skin irritation, especially in individuals with sensitive skin, and babies are particularly vulnerable to topical irritants.

ADHD/ADD - Some studies have linked artificial food dyes like Red 40 to increased hyperactivity and attention issues in children, though evidence is stronger for oral exposure than topical, risk cannot be ruled out for sensitive populations.

Confidence: HIGH

FD&C blue no. 1

⚠️5/10

FD and C blue no 1 is a synthetic dye used for color not essential in baby products rare skin reactions possible caution advised for infants

Irritant - There are documented cases of Brilliant Blue FCF causing mild skin irritation, particularly in people with sensitive skin or when used in high concentrations.

Confidence: HIGH

benzyl alcohol

⚠️5/10

For babies 6–12 months (infants), benzyl alcohol can cause skin irritation and allergic reactions. It’s not as risky as for newborns, but it isn’t completely risk-free for this age.

Immune system - Benzyl alcohol is a known human allergen with strong evidence of immune effects. Regulators and scientific reviews list it as an allergenic or immunotoxicant and there are human case reports of allergic reactions, so it can trigger immune responses in children.

Eczema - There are strong reports and regulatory listings showing benzyl alcohol can cause allergic skin reactions. Because of this, it can trigger or make eczema and similar rashes worse on sensitive baby skin.

Irritant - There is documented evidence of skin and eye irritation from benzyl alcohol (including agency evaluations of irritation), so it can cause redness, stinging, or rashes—especially on sensitive or infant skin.

Organ Risk - Government hazard classifications and peer-reviewed sources have identified benzyl alcohol as toxic or harmful to organ systems at some exposures. These classifications indicate repeated or higher exposures could affect organs (for example liver or kidneys).

Confidence: MEDIUM

propylene glycol

⚠️5/10

For babies 6–12 months old, propylene glycol is commonly used in wipes and lotions and is usually okay in the very small amounts found in baby products. However, it can irritate sensitive skin, especially if the skin is broken, red, or in the diaper area. Babies with eczema or very sensitive skin are more likely to react.

Irritant - The U.S. National Library of Medicine lists this chemical as a skin, eye, and lung irritant. That means it can cause red, itchy skin, sting the eyes, or make breathing uncomfortable — risks that matter for babies and children with delicate skin and airways.

Immune system - A safety review by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review found limited evidence of skin and immune-system effects. This means some people can get allergic or immune reactions after skin contact.

Organ Risk - Environment Canada has classified this ingredient as expected to be toxic or harmful and of medium human-health priority for non-reproductive organ effects. Repeated or heavy exposure could pose risks to organs such as the liver, kidneys, or lungs.

Absorbed - The Cosmetic Ingredient Review identifies this ingredient as a penetration enhancer. It can help itself and other ingredients pass through the skin into the body, so more of the substance may get into the bloodstream.

Asthma - Because it can irritate the lungs (noted by the U.S. National Library of Medicine), inhaling sprays or vapors could make breathing problems or asthma worse in sensitive children.

Confidence: MEDIUM

natural flavor

⚠️5/10

Natural flavor is a vague term that can include many substances some of which may cause irritation or allergic reactions in babies. Used for scent or taste in baby products.

Confidence: MEDIUM

polyethylene glycol

✅3/10

For babies 6–12 months old, PEG is usually okay in small amounts in skin products from trustworthy brands. It can sometimes irritate sensitive skin and there is a small risk from impurities that come from how it is made.

Confidence: HIGH

polysorbate 80

✅2/10

For babies 6–12 months (infants, older babies): this ingredient is usually safe when it appears at low levels in baby lotions, creams or other skin products. Long‑term health risks are considered low. The thing to watch for is contamination from manufacturing byproducts, which can be avoided by choosing tested products.

Confidence: HIGH

saccharin

✅2/10

For babies aged 6–12 months (older infants and toddlers just under 1 year), saccharin on the skin is generally low risk. Major health authorities do not list it as a likely cancer risk and it is used in small, limited ways in foods and products.

Confidence: MEDIUM

carbomer homopolymer type b

✅1/10

Carbomer homopolymer type B is a common thickening agent in topical products. It is non-toxic and safe for baby skin in wipes and lotions.

No Known Risk - Carbomer Homopolymer Type B is a synthetic polymer used as a thickening agent in topical products. It is generally considered inert and non-toxic, with no evidence linking it to hormone disruption, organ toxicity, or other health risks in babies or children based on current research.

Confidence: HIGH

glycerin

✅1/10

Glycerin is a gentle, water-attracting ingredient used to moisturize skin. For 6-12 month old babies it is generally safe in typical baby lotions and wipes. Problems are rare but possible.

Confidence: HIGH

Common Questions About ANBESOL

Safe for older babies? ANBESOL

ANBESOL is not recommended for 6-12 month old babies due to potentially harmful ingredients.

What ingredients should I watch out for?

We analyzed 12 ingredients in ANBESOL. 2 avoid, 1 concerning, 4 caution. Check the detailed analysis above for specific concerns.

Is this appropriate for older babies to using oral pain reliever?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredients. This analysis is for 6-12 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.