VeriMomShould I Avoid ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate During Pregnancy? | VeriMom
Reviewed by VeriMom Editorial Team · Last reviewed
ECHA regulatory hazard statements
- •H361D
Products containing ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate — check your shelf
These products list ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate 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 ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate | VeriMom
Ingredients — Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients Database — 28,000+ Ingredients Rated
See also
FAQ
- Is ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate safe during pregnancy?
- No harmonised CLP H361/H360 entry located for 2‑ethylhexyl 2‑ethylhexanoate itself; ECHA has a harmonised Repr. 2 (H361d) entry for 2‑ethylhexanoic acid and many of its salts (not the ester). I found no SCCS or CIR cosmetic safety opinion or peer‑reviewed reproductive toxicity studies for the ester; therefore no direct evidence of reproductive hazard. Topical cosmetic use of similar long‑chain esters typically shows low but measurable dermal absorption, so exposure is scored as low (1). Sources: ECHA CLH/Annex VI documents and cosmetic ingredient listings.
- Is ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate safe while breastfeeding?
- Same rationale as pregnancy: no direct reproductive or lactation-specific data for the ester, no harmonised CMR classification for this ester; dermal exposure is likely low but measurable so breastfeeding exposure scored 1 (low).
- Is ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate safe for baby skin?
- No infant‑specific toxicity data found for the ester. Because baby skin has higher absorption (immature barrier) and the adult exposure was scored as measurable (1), per your rubric increase exposure by +1 for infants → 2 (moderate). No evidence supports increasing hazard (h) or mechanism (m).
- How does VeriMom score ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate?
- VeriMom scores ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate at 33/100 (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 ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate?
- See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to ethylhexyl ethylhexanoate 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.