Baby Safety / Compounds / Isoeugenol

Is Isoeugenol safe for babies and kids?

Elevated risk for kids

Infants are more vulnerable to Isoeugenol 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 isoeugenol?

The IUPAC name is 2-methoxy-4-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]phenol.

Also known as: 2-methoxy-4-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]phenol, 4-Propenylguaiacol, 2-Methoxy-4-propenylphenol, 2-methoxy-4-(prop-1-en-1-yl)phenol.

IUPAC name
2-methoxy-4-[(E)-prop-1-enyl]phenol
CAS number
97-54-1
Molecular formula
C10H12O2
Molecular weight
164.20 g/mol
SMILES
CC=CC1=CC(=C(C=C1)O)OC
PubChem CID
853433

Risk for babies

Elevated risk

Infants are more vulnerable to Isoeugenol 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

High risk

Prenatal exposure to Isoeugenol through personal care products may affect fetal development. Some fragrance chemicals are sensitizers or endocrine-active compounds with transplacental transfer.

Suspected reproductive toxicant (GHS H361) or suspected endocrine disruptor. Precautionary approach warranted. Animal studies or limited human data suggest developmental toxicity potential.

What to do: Minimize exposure during pregnancy and lactation. Consult healthcare provider regarding specific risks. Consider alternative products with lower hazard profiles.

Regulatory consensus

2 regulatory and scientific bodies have classified Isoeugenol. The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
IFRA2020restrictionIFRA restriction — strong sensitizer
EU_COSMETICS2009allergen_disclosureEU Annex III original 26 allergens

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 isoeugenol

  • Personal Care — perfume, soap, cosmetics, essential oils
  • Food — clove, nutmeg, cinnamon flavoring
  • 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 Isoeugenol:

  • Eugenol (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×
  • Vanillin
    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 isoeugenol
    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 isoeugenol safe for kids?

Infants are more vulnerable to Isoeugenol 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 isoeugenol?

Isoeugenol appears in: perfume (Personal care); soap (Personal care); clove (Food); nutmeg (Food); perfume (Fragrance).

What should I do if my child is exposed to isoeugenol?

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 Isoeugenol in the baby app

Look up products containing isoeugenol, compare to alternatives, and explore the full data record.

Open in baby View raw API data

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 →