PEG-40 Stearate

PEG-40 Stearate molecular structurePubChem

0-6 month old newborns • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Peg 40 Stearate?

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NOT RECOMMENDED
Danger Score: 6 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Peg 40 Stearate 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 helps mix oil and water in lotions and creams, but there are specific concerns about contamination from manufacturing leftovers. Baby skin is delicate, so extra caution is recommended.

✅What to Do

When possible, avoid products with this ingredient on infants under 6 months. If you must use a product that contains it, choose a brand that clearly states it tests for and limits ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane or that advertises no PEGs. Do not apply to broken, red, or irritated skin. Try a tiny patch on a small area first and stop use if any redness or rash appears.

⚠️Warnings

The ingredient safety information flags contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane and also notes gaps in industry safety testing. Because those impurities can be harmful, watch for product recalls, prefer products that disclose impurity testing, and avoid frequent or large-area use on infant skin.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: This ingredient can carry high contamination by ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are known to be linked to cancer and were specifically flagged as a contamination concern in the ingredient review. The cosmetic industry safety review notes gaps in testing and limits that rely on how the ingredient is made, which raises real cancer-related worry from these impurities (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review and regulator findings).
Long-Term Risk: Because of the contamination concern with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane and noted gaps in safety assessments, there is a potential for health effects that show up after repeated or long-term exposure. The industry safety review called out data gaps and testing limits that make long-term risk harder to rule out (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review).
Environmental: Government review flagged this substance as suspected to be harmful to the environment. That means using products with this ingredient could have negative effects beyond the person applying them (source: Environment Canada).

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for PEG-40 Stearate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

peg 40 stearatepeg-40 stearate4310-EP2270004A14310-EP2305647A1S-1514310-EP2295503A14310-EP2301544A14310-EP2298735A14310-EP2272827A1POLY(OXY-1, 2-ETHANEDIYL), .ALPHA.-HYDRO-.OMEGA.-HYDROXY-, OCTADECANOATE4310-EP2275413A14310-EP2272832A1

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

Products Containing PEG-40 Stearate

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain PEG-40 Stearate or its alternative names.

Common Questions About PEG-40 Stearate

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use PEG-40 Stearate?

PEG-40 Stearate is not recommended for 0-6 month old babies due to potential safety risks.

What are the cancer risks of PEG-40 Stearate 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 PEG-40 Stearate 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 environmental risks of PEG-40 Stearate for newborns?

Possible negative effects on the environment This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain PEG-40 Stearate?

PEG-40 Stearate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can infants start using products with PEG-40 Stearate?

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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