VeriMomHIGH RISK
Should I Avoid sodium salicylate During Pregnancy? | VeriMom
Reviewed by VeriMom Editorial Team · Last reviewed
ECHA regulatory hazard statements
- •H361
- •H361D
Products containing sodium salicylate — check your shelf
These products list sodium salicylate on their INCI. If one is in your routine, consider swapping it during pregnancy.
COSRX
37COSRX Peptide-132 Ultra Perfect Hair Bonding Shampoo - 200ml
Seed To Skin
37Seed To Skin The Light Source New Release: Advanced Targeted Day Concentrate
Marcelle
36Marcelle Revival+ Ultra-Nutrition Anti-Aging Night Cream
It's a 10
36It's a 10 Scalp Restore Miracle Charcoal Shampoo
Labo-H
36Labo-H Hair Loss Relief Shampoo Scalp Cooling
Wiqo
36Wiqo Eye Serum
L'OREAL NORGE AS
36Preferance 9.13 Baikal
L'OREAL NORGE AS
36Preferance 1 Napoli
CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS
36Blonde Blondering 10.1
CONAXESS TRADE NORGE AS
36Blonde Blondering Ultra Lightener L1++
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".
Unknown
100schmidts here now
L'Occitane
100L´Occitane Powder To-mousse Facial Exfoliator
Sustain Yourself
100Sustain Yourself Natural Deodorant
Bitamin
100Bitamin Natural Deodorant N'orange
Mew mew tweet
100Mew mew tweet Cedar Spruce Baking Soda Free
Avero
100Avero Solid Deodorant
Avril
99Déodorant baume
HappySoaps
99Happysoaps Neutraal
Laura Mercier
99Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum Spf 20 - Oil Free
Woohoo
99Woohoo Deodorant & Anti-Chafe Stick
Sources & references
Authoritative references used to score this ingredient.
Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives to sodium salicylate | VeriMom
Ingredients — Pregnancy-Safe Ingredients Database — 28,000+ Ingredients Rated
See also
FAQ
- Is sodium salicylate safe during pregnancy?
- Harmonised EU classification: Repr. 2 H361d (suspected of damaging the unborn child) is assigned for salicylates by ECHA/CLP (harmonised classification). Animal studies (rat) report teratogenic and reproductive effects following oral exposure to sodium/salicylic acid; salicylates cross biological barriers and altered pharmacokinetics in pregnancy have been reported, so a demonstrated mechanism (COX/prostaglandin interference and placental transfer) supports a suspected reproductive hazard. For topical cosmetic use, systemic absorption of salicylates is measurable but typically low — therefore exposure is scored as low but non-negligible for pregnant adults. Sources: ECHA harmonised classification and substance pages, CIR salicylic acid/salicylates assessment, and rat developmental studies.
- Is sodium salicylate safe while breastfeeding?
- Because of the harmonised Repr.2 (H361d) and animal evidence of reproductive/developmental effects, sodium salicylate is flagged for nursing mothers. Salicylates are systemically available after absorption and can be transferred to milk; mechanism evidence (systemic salicylate activity, prostaglandin/COX effects) is demonstrated in animals. Topical cosmetic use typically gives low but measurable systemic exposure, so exposure scoring is 1 for breastfeeding mothers.
- Is sodium salicylate safe for baby skin?
- Hazard and mechanistic scores follow adult reproductive evidence (harmonised H361d and animal teratogenicity). Per instructions, exposure (e) is increased by +1 for infants 0–3 years because infant skin has higher absorption; salicylates are known to be percutaneously absorbed and systemic exposure from topical use can occur, so baby skin exposure is moderate. There is no infant-specific study showing higher intrinsic hazard, so h/m remain based on the existing reproductive evidence.
- How does VeriMom score sodium salicylate?
- VeriMom scores sodium salicylate 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 sodium salicylate?
- See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to sodium salicylate 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.