Baby Safety / Compounds / Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial)

Is Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) 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 butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial)?

The IUPAC name is 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal.

Also known as: 3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal, Lilial, lily aldehyde, 2-(4-tert-Butylbenzyl)propionaldehyde.

IUPAC name
3-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-2-methylpropanal
CAS number
80-54-6
Molecular formula
C14H20O
Molecular weight
204.31 g/mol
SMILES
CC(CC1=CC=C(C=C1)C(C)(C)C)C=O
PubChem CID
228987

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Infants are more vulnerable to Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) 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.

What to do: 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.

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Severe risk

CMR 1B reproductive toxicant — contraindicated; banned in EU for this reason; may still be present in products purchased before ban or outside EU

Regulatory consensus

1 regulatory bodyhas classified Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial).

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EU2024Banned in cosmetics (REACH Annex II)

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 butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial)

  • Personal Care — perfume, deodorant, soap, shampoo, cosmetics
  • Consumer Products — detergent, air freshener
  • 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 Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial):

  • Bourgeonal
    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×
  • Cyclamen aldehyde
    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×
  • Muguet synthetic blends
    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 butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial) safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) 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 butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial)?

Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) appears in: perfume (Personal care); deodorant (Personal care); detergent (Consumer products); air freshener (Consumer products); perfume (Fragrance).

What should I do if my child is exposed to butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial)?

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 Butylphenyl methylpropional (Lilial) in the baby app

Look up products containing butylphenyl methylpropional (lilial), compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

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Sources (1)
  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 →