VeriMomShould I Avoid ethoxyethanol During Pregnancy? | VeriMom
Reviewed by VeriMom Editorial Team · Last reviewed
ECHA regulatory hazard statements
- •H360FD
Products containing ethoxyethanol — check your shelf
These products list ethoxyethanol on their INCI. If one is in your routine, consider swapping it during pregnancy.
What to use instead
Pregnancy-safe ingredients that serve a similar function:
Pregnancy-safe products to use instead
Products built around the safer ingredients above, scored "no known risks" or "low risk".
Sources & references
Authoritative references used to score this ingredient.
Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives to ethoxyethanol | VeriMom
Ingredients — Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients Database — 28,000+ Ingredients Rated
See also
FAQ
- Is ethoxyethanol safe during pregnancy?
- 2‑Ethoxyethanol (CAS 110‑80‑5) has a harmonised CLP classification for reproductive toxicity (H360: may damage fertility or the unborn child), which by your rules warrants h=3. Animal and mechanistic literature on ethylene glycol ethers (metabolism to alkoxyacetic acids causing embryotoxicity/hematotoxicity) supports a demonstrated mechanism (m=2). Dermal absorption is measurable in humans (in vitro human skin ~1/3 rat absorption), so topical exposure is low but measurable (e=1). (ECHA harmonised CLP; PubMed mechanistic and dermal absorption studies).
- Is ethoxyethanol safe while breastfeeding?
- Harmonised classification (H360) and animal evidence of developmental/reproductive toxicity justify h=3 for lactation context under your priority rules even though specific human milk transfer data are limited. Mechanistic data showing bioactive metabolites are produced systemically support m=2. For cosmetic topical use, systemic absorption is low but measurable so milk exposure via topical use is possible but expected to be low (e=1).
- Is ethoxyethanol safe for baby skin?
- Hazard (h=3) is driven by the harmonised H360 reproductive/developmental classification and animal teratogenicity data; no infant‑specific data reduce that hazard. Mechanistic evidence remains demonstrated (m=2). Exposure is increased for infants due to higher surface‑area‑to‑weight and immature barrier; since adult topical absorption is measurable (adult e=1) apply the +1 adjustment for baby skin → e=2. Note: infant dermal‑specific toxicity studies are lacking, so exposure/practical risk will depend on concentration and formulation.
- How does VeriMom score ethoxyethanol?
- VeriMom scores ethoxyethanol at 20/100 (high risk) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.
- What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to ethoxyethanol?
- See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to ethoxyethanol based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.
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Medical Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Safety scores are based on publicly available data and may not reflect all risks. Always consult your healthcare provider before using any product during pregnancy or breastfeeding.