Laureth-4

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Laureth 4?

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NOT RECOMMENDED
Danger Score: 7 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Laureth 4 not recommended for 0-6 month old babies when used in topical products. Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

ℹ️General Overview

For newborns and babies under 6 months, this ingredient can irritate skin and eyes and may carry trace contaminants from manufacturing. Because very young babies have very sensitive skin, it’s safer to avoid products that contain Laureth-4 when possible.

What to Do

Choose baby products made for newborns that list simple, gentle ingredients and avoid ones that include Laureth-4. Prefer wash-off products formulated for infants and fragrance-free options. If you do use a product that contains it, keep use minimal, avoid the face and eye area, rinse thoroughly after washing, and stop use if you notice any redness, rash, or eye irritation.

⚠️Warnings

Warnings to watch for: skin redness, rash, stinging, eye watering, or breathing irritation after use — stop using the product and talk with your child’s pediatrician. The caution is based on a formal industry safety review that flags strong evidence of irritation and on documented contamination concerns (ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane) tied to manufacturing. Also note some product verification programs restrict its use unless manufacturers provide safety data; if a brand shows testing for low levels of these contaminants, that is safer.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Irritant: A formal safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) found strong evidence that this ingredient can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs in people. The same review flags moderate irritation as a real concern for topical use, so babies with sensitive skin may get redness, itching, or rashes.
Cancer: This ingredient can carry contamination from ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. International health agencies (IARC/WHO) list ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible carcinogen. Because these impurities can be present, there is a real cancer-related risk from contaminated product exposure.
Long-Term Risk: Regulatory and industry safety reviews note impurities and data gaps for this chemical and recommend limits on impurities and manufacturing methods (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Persistent exposure to the listed contaminants is tied to long-term health effects, so repeated use raises longer-term risk.
Absorbed: This is a topical, ethoxylated ingredient and industry reviews warn that manufacturing impurities can remain. Those impurities and the ingredient itself can be absorbed through skin, so some chemical can reach the body after use (noted in CIR assessments).

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Laureth-4

This ingredient may also be listed as:

laureth-4M445FATTY ALCOHOL POLYOXYETHYLENE ETHER(O-20)KS-00000Y05FT-0627728POLYOXYL 4 LAURYL ETHER, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARDNCGC00159385-03TETRAETHYLENEN GLYCOL MONO-N-DODECYL ETHERFT-0710803NCGC00159385-02MCULE-2882952206LAURETH-4

Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.

Products Containing Laureth-4

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Laureth-4 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Laureth-4

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Laureth-4?

Laureth-4 is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potential safety risks.

What are the irritant risks of Laureth-4 for newborns?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the cancer risks of Laureth-4 for newborns?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the long-term risk risks of Laureth-4 for newborns?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the absorbed risks of Laureth-4 for newborns?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain Laureth-4?

Laureth-4 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can infants start using products with Laureth-4?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 0-6 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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