Poloxamer 184 is a mild ingredient used to help mix and rinse products. For most adults it is low risk, but for newborns and young infants (0–6 months) we are more cautious because their skin is thinner and may absorb more. The main worry is not the ingredient itself but possible small amounts of manufacturing impurities that some health reviews have flagged.
Prefer products made and labelled for babies and from brands that list purity or safety testing. For newborns and infants 0–6 months, avoid using products with this ingredient unless the product is specifically formulated for babies. If you must use a product with it: use a small amount, avoid large-area or frequent application, do not apply to broken or irritated skin, and choose fragrance-free formulas.
Watch for any redness, rash, swelling or irritation after use. Stop use and contact your pediatrician if you see skin changes, fever, or if the baby seems unusually fussy after applying a product. The caution comes from two sources: a Canadian health review that raised concerns about environmental persistence and some organ toxicity, and a cosmetic safety review that noted data gaps and possible contamination by chemicals used in manufacturing (for example ethylene oxide, 1,4-dioxane, propylene oxide, aldehydes, acetic acid, formic acid). These findings mean we recommend extra caution for infants.
Scan the full ingredient label and understand if it's safe for your child.
This ingredient has the following documented risks:
Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.
This ingredient may also be listed as:
Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.
Use caution with Poloxamer 184 for 0-6 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.
Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.
May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.
Builds up in the body over time with repeated use. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.
Possible negative effects on the environment This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.
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.
Poloxamer 184 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.
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.
Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels
Scan Another Product