Is Hexyl salicylate safe for babies and kids?
Moderate risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to Hexyl salicylate 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 hexyl salicylate?
The IUPAC name is hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate.
Also known as: hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate, N-HEXYL SALICYLATE, 1-Hexyl salicylate, Benzoic acid, 2-hydroxy-, hexyl ester.
- IUPAC name
- hexyl 2-hydroxybenzoate
- CAS number
- 6259-76-3
- Molecular formula
- C13H18O3
- Molecular weight
- 222.28 g/mol
- SMILES
- CCCCCCOC(=O)C1=CC=CC=C1O
- PubChem CID
- 22629
Risk for babies
Moderate riskInfants are more vulnerable to Hexyl salicylate 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 Hexyl salicylate 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
3 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Hexyl salicylate. The classifications differ — that's the data.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| EDC Assessment | 2024 | Suspected endocrine disruptor | |
| IFRA | 2020 | restriction | IFRA restriction — sensitization limits |
| 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 hexyl salicylate
- Personal Care — perfume, sunscreen, lotion
-
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 Hexyl salicylate:
-
Isoamyl salicylate
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×
-
Methyl salicylate (with limits)
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 hexyl salicylate safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to Hexyl salicylate 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 hexyl salicylate?
Hexyl salicylate appears in: perfume (Personal care); sunscreen (Personal care); perfume (Fragrance); cologne (Fragrance).
What should I do if my child is exposed to hexyl salicylate?
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.
Why do regulators disagree about hexyl salicylate?
Hexyl salicylate has been classified by 3 agencies including EDC Assessment, IFRA, EU_COSMETICS, with differing conclusions. 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. See the regulatory consensus table on this page for the full picture.
See Hexyl salicylate in the baby app
Look up products containing hexyl salicylate, 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 →