Is Myrcene safe for babies and kids?
High risk for kidsInfants are more vulnerable to Myrcene 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 myrcene?
The IUPAC name is 7-methyl-3-methylideneocta-1,6-diene.
Also known as: 7-methyl-3-methylideneocta-1,6-diene, beta-Myrcene, 1,6-Octadiene, 7-methyl-3-methylene-, 7-Methyl-3-methylene-1,6-octadiene.
- IUPAC name
- 7-methyl-3-methylideneocta-1,6-diene
- CAS number
- 123-35-3
- Molecular formula
- C10H16
- Molecular weight
- 136.23 g/mol
- SMILES
- CC(=CCCC(=C)C=C)C
- PubChem CID
- 31253
Risk for babies
High riskInfants are more vulnerable to Myrcene 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 Myrcene 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
1 regulatory bodyhas classified Myrcene.
| Agency | Year | Classification | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unknown | — | — |
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 myrcene
- Personal Care — perfume, essential oils, cosmetics
- Food — hops, bay leaf, thyme (natural)
-
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 Myrcene:
-
Unscented formulation; Lower-sensitization structural analog
Trade-offs: Eliminates allergen risk entirely; consumer acceptance varies (some associate scent with cleanliness/efficacy); growing market segment; regulatory advantage in EU (no IFRA compliance needed).Relative cost: 1.2-2×
Frequently asked questions
Is myrcene safe for kids?
Infants are more vulnerable to Myrcene 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 myrcene?
Myrcene appears in: perfume (Personal care); essential oils (Personal care); hops (Food); bay leaf (Food); perfume (Fragrance).
What should I do if my child is exposed to myrcene?
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 Myrcene in the baby app
Look up products containing myrcene, 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 →