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HIGH RISK

Should I Avoid silybum marianum extract During Pregnancy? | VeriMom

Reviewed by · Last reviewed

ECHA regulatory hazard statements

  • H361

Products containing silybum marianum extract — check your shelf

These products list silybum marianum extract 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 silybum marianum extract | VeriMom

IngredientsPregnancy-Safe Ingredients Database — 28,000+ Ingredients Rated

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FAQ

Is silybum marianum extract safe during pregnancy?
No harmonised CLP classification (no H360/H361 harmonised entry found), no EU Annex II/III restriction for Silybum marianum extract. Recent reviews and animal studies show either absence of reproductive/developmental toxicity or protective effects from silymarin; human data in pregnancy are scarce so regulators (NCCIH/EMA summaries) caution use but do not list a reproductive hazard. Topical cosmetic use would give low but measurable exposure. Sources: PubMed reviews and animal studies, NCCIH, ECHA registration summary. (PubMed review: Protective effects of silymarin on reproductive toxicity; animal developmental study: silymarin during pregnancy/lactation; NCCIH: limited data on pregnancy/breastfeeding; ECHA registration/listing shows registration dossier but no harmonised H361 classification).
Is silybum marianum extract safe while breastfeeding?
Human data are limited. Some small/unpublished reports suggest low or non‑measurable excretion of silymarin into breastmilk, but evidence is insufficient and agencies advise caution. Topical cosmetic exposure would result in low systemic levels for the lactating parent, so infant exposure via milk from topical use is expected to be low but not zero. (Sources: NCCIH, EFSA/EFSA‑referenced report, PubMed studies).
Is silybum marianum extract safe for baby skin?
No direct evidence of developmental or infant dermal toxicity. Because infants 0–3 years have a thinner/immature skin barrier and higher surface‑area‑to‑body‑weight, exposure score is increased by +1 compared with adults if the ingredient has measurable absorption. Silymarin components are moderately lipophilic and can be absorbed to a small degree; therefore infant dermal exposure is assessed as moderate. No infant‑specific hazards or CMR classifications were identified. (Sources: PubMed reviews, ECHA registration dossier, EWG ingredient page).
How does VeriMom score silybum marianum extract?
VeriMom scores silybum marianum extract 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 silybum marianum extract?
See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to silybum marianum extract 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.

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