Is commiphora myrrha oil safe during pregnancy?

Pregnancy-Safe Alternatives to commiphora myrrha oil | VeriMom

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See also

• Is commiphora myrrha oil safe for babies?
• What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to commiphora myrrha oil?

Frequently asked questions

Is commiphora myrrha oil safe during pregnancy?

Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) oil is a steam-distilled/essential oil (INCI: Commiphora myrrha oil / Commiphora myrrha gum oil) listed in the EU cosmetics database (CosIng). There is no evidence that it is included in EU Annex II (banned) or Annex III (restricted) and no harmonised CLP H360/H361 H-codes were found; however, in vitro studies report cytogenotoxic/mutagenic effects for Commiphora myrrha essential oil, creating a class-based concern for reproductive/genetic hazard (h=1). The mechanism is supported only by in vitro genotoxicity data (m=1). Topical cosmetic use of an essential oil is expected to have low but measurable dermal absorption (e=1). Sources: CosIng / INCI listings and product/SDS pages; PubMed in vitro genotoxicity study; EWG ingredient page. (See sources.)

Is commiphora myrrha oil safe while breastfeeding?

Same rationale as pregnancy: no regulatory ban or harmonised reproductive classification, but in vitro cytogenotoxicity and the substance being an essential oil support a low-level concern (h=1) with only in vitro mechanistic support (m=1). Dermal absorption from topical products is low but measurable (e=1), so breastmilk transfer is theoretically possible but not demonstrated.

Is commiphora myrrha oil safe for baby skin?

Hazard (h=1) and mechanism (m=1) remain based on the same in vitro/genotoxicity evidence; no infant-specific reproductive/developmental data were located. Exposure (e) is increased by +1 for infants (e=2) because the ingredient is a lipophilic essential oil with measurable absorption and infants (0–3 y) have a higher surface-area-to-body-weight and immature barrier. There is no evidence justifying raising h or m for infants.

How does VeriMom score commiphora myrrha oil?

VeriMom scores commiphora myrrha oil at 67/100 (medium risk) based on EU CosIng status, ECHA hazard classifications, and peer-reviewed PubMed studies. Our scoring pipeline is fully transparent.

What are pregnancy-safe alternatives to commiphora myrrha oil?

See our curated list of pregnancy-safe alternatives to commiphora myrrha oil based on similar function and a no-known-risks safety band.