Is diethylhexyl phthalate safe for baby skin?

Gentler alternatives for baby skin

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

See also

• Is diethylhexyl phthalate safe during pregnancy?
• Should I avoid diethylhexyl phthalate during pregnancy?
• What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to diethylhexyl phthalate?

Frequently asked questions

Is diethylhexyl phthalate safe for baby skin?

Because DEHP is harmonised as H360FD (CMR Category 1B) the hazard to infants is scored h=3 by calibration. Mechanistic data (anti-androgenic effects, endocrine disruption, developmental effects in rodents) support m=3. For cosmetic topical use, DEHP is listed in EU Annex II (prohibited), so exposure from cosmetics is expected to be negligible (e=0). If DEHP were present in a formulation (e.g., contamination or in non‑EU markets), infant skin has higher absorption potential and the exposure score would be higher — but that scenario is outside compliant cosmetic use.

Is diethylhexyl phthalate safe for newborns?

Because DEHP is harmonised as H360FD (CMR Category 1B) the hazard to infants is scored h=3 by calibration. Mechanistic data (anti-androgenic effects, endocrine disruption, developmental effects in rodents) support m=3. For cosmetic topical use, DEHP is listed in EU Annex II (prohibited), so exposure from cosmetics is expected to be negligible (e=0). If DEHP were present in a formulation (e.g., contamination or in non‑EU markets), infant skin has higher absorption potential and the exposure score would be higher — but that scenario is outside compliant cosmetic use.

Can I use diethylhexyl phthalate on a baby under 6 months?

We don't have baby-skin-specific data for diethylhexyl phthalate. Stick to ingredients we've marked no known risks for babies until more evidence is available.

What are safer alternatives to diethylhexyl phthalate for babies?

See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to diethylhexyl phthalate based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.

How does VeriMom rate diethylhexyl phthalate for baby skin?

VeriMom scores diethylhexyl phthalate at 20/100 (high risk) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.