Baby Safety / Compounds / Padimate O

Is Padimate O safe for babies and kids?

Context-dependent for kids

(Babies-specific data is limited; this page draws from human pregnant context.) Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Padimate O, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

What is padimate o?

The IUPAC name is 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate.

Also known as: 2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate, OD-PABA, octyl DMAB, 2-ethylhexyl 4-(dimethylamino)benzoate.

IUPAC name
2-ethylhexyl 4-dimethylaminobenzoate
CAS number
21245-02-3
Molecular formula
C17H26NO2
Molecular weight
272.4 g/mol
SMILES
C=CCC1(C(=O)NC(=NC1=O)[O-])C2CCC=C2.[Na+]
PubChem CID
9329

Risk for babies

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Padimate O, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

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

Risk for pregnant and nursing people

Context-dependent

Pregnancy alters the metabolism and distribution of Padimate O, potentially increasing fetal exposure. The developing embryo/fetus is vulnerable during organogenesis (weeks 3-8) and neurological development. Placental transfer should be assumed.

No specific reproductive toxicity data identified, but pregnancy-specific safety data is limited for most chemicals. Precautionary minimization of exposure is recommended.

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 Padimate O. The classifications differ — that's the data.

AgencyYearClassificationNotes
EU_Cosmetics_Regulation——Annex VI approved at ≤8%; declining use in EU due to photodegradation concerns
FDA_OTC——FDA-approved OTC sunscreen ingredient (§347.70); still listed but increasingly replaced by newer filters

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 padimate o

  • sunscreen
  • moisturizer
  • body_lotion
  • legacy_formulations

Safer alternatives

Lower-risk approaches that achieve a similar outcome to Padimate O:

  • Mineral UV filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) — no systemic absorption
    Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×
  • Newer-generation organic filters with lower skin penetration (e.g., bisoctrizole)
    Trade-offs: Alternative approach; specific tradeoffs depend on application context, scale, and regulatory requirements. Full hazard assessment of alternative recommended before adoption to avoid regrettable substitution.
    Relative cost: 2-5× conventional
  • UPF-rated clothing and physical sun protection
    Trade-offs: Removes 95-99% of dissolved contaminants including metals, PFAS, nitrates; wastes 2-4 gallons per gallon produced (improving with newer systems); removes beneficial minerals; $0.05-0.25/gallon; requires pre-treatment for longevity.
    Relative cost: 1.2-2×

Frequently asked questions

What products contain padimate o?

Padimate O appears in: sunscreen; moisturizer; body lotion.

See Padimate O in the baby app

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

Open in baby View raw API data

Sources (2)
  1. PubChem Compound CID 9329 — database
  2. ATSDR Toxicological Profile — CAS 21245-02-3 — reference

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 →