Is alpha-Damascone safe for babies and kids?
Elevated risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to alpha-Damascone than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What is alpha-damascone?
The IUPAC name is 1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-1-one.
Also known as: 1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-1-one, RefChem:555689, 2-Buten-1-one, 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-2-cyclohexen-1-yl)-, FEMA No. 3659.
- IUPAC name
- 1-(2,6,6-trimethylcyclohex-2-en-1-yl)but-3-en-1-one
- CAS number
- 43052-87-5
- Molecular formula
- C13H20O
- Molecular weight
- 192.30 g/mol
- SMILES
- CC1=CCCC(C1C(=O)CC=C)(C)C
- PubChem CID
- 520506
Risk for babies
Elevated riskInfants are more vulnerable to alpha-Damascone than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
Neonates and infants up to 12 months have incomplete blood-brain barrier development, immature Phase I/II metabolic enzymes (particularly CYP3A4, UGT1A1), and higher gastrointestinal permeability. Equivalent doses produce higher internal concentrations and longer residence times.
Risk for pregnant and nursing people
Context-dependentPrenatal exposure to alpha-Damascone through personal care products may affect fetal development. Some fragrance chemicals are sensitizers or endocrine-active compounds with transplacental transfer.
No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.
Regulatory consensus
2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified alpha-Damascone. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| IFRA | 2020 | restriction | IFRA restriction — potent sensitizer |
| EU_COSMETICS | 2023 | allergen_disclosure | EU Reg 2023/1545 — expanded allergen list |
Regulators apply different standards of evidence — animal-data weighting, exposure-pattern assumptions, epidemiological power thresholds — which is why two scientific bodies can review the same data and reach different conclusions. The disagreement is the data.
Where kids encounter alpha-damascone
- Personal Care — perfume, cosmetics
-
Fragrance
— perfume, cologne, scented personal care products, household fragrance products, candles
Identified in Fragrance Ingredient Safety Priority Research database (2,325 ingredients)
Safer alternatives
Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to alpha-Damascone:
-
beta-Damascone (lower sensitization)
Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
-
Damascenone
Trade-offs: Alternative fragrance ingredient; individual safety profile should be assessed per IFRA standards; sensitization potential varies by compound; patch testing recommended for sensitive individuals.Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is alpha-damascone safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to alpha-Damascone than children or adults due to immature hepatic/renal clearance, higher intake-to-body-weight ratio, rapid organ development, and increased gastrointestinal absorption.
What products contain alpha-damascone?
alpha-Damascone appears in: perfume (Personal care); cosmetics (Personal care); perfume (Fragrance); cologne (Fragrance).
What should I do if my child is exposed to alpha-damascone?
Minimize infant exposure through source control. For breastfeeding mothers: reduce maternal exposure. For formula-fed infants: use certified low-migration bottles and verified water sources. Consult pediatrician regarding any concerns.
See alpha-Damascone in the baby app
Look up products containing alpha-damascone, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.
Open in baby View raw API dataSources (1)
- PubChem Compound Database (2026) — database
Reference data, not professional advice. Aggregates publicly available regulatory and scientific data; not a substitute for veterinary, medical, legal, or regulatory advice. Why we built ALETHEIA →