Poloxamer 184

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Poloxamer 184?

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USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 4 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Poloxamer 184 use with caution for 0-6 month old babies when used in topical products. Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

ℹ️General Overview

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.

What to Do

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.

⚠️Warnings

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.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: Safety records flag high contamination concerns for this ingredient, listing possible impurities such as ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those manufacturing impurities are recognized by health regulators as cancer-linked, so contamination raises a real cancer risk.
Organ Risk: A government health assessment (Environment Canada) classifies this substance as expected to be toxic or harmful to non-reproductive organs and gives it a medium human-health priority. That means repeated exposure could affect organs like the liver or kidneys.
Builds Up: Environment Canada notes moderate concerns for persistence and bioaccumulation. This means the chemical can stick around in the body or environment over time instead of breaking down quickly.
Environmental: Environmental review flagged this ingredient as a suspected environmental toxin. That shows it can harm wildlife or ecosystems if released or not fully removed during disposal.
Long-Term Risk: Industry safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) note data gaps and that some safety conclusions rely on related chemicals rather than direct tests. Combined with persistence and contamination concerns, there is a meaningful chance of long-term health effects with repeated exposure.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Poloxamer 184

This ingredient may also be listed as:

poloxamer 184PEG/PPG-24/34 TRIBLOCK COPOLYMERP5QZM4T2591AZW43116L.ALPHA.-HYDRO-.OMEGA.-HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE)POLY(OXYPROPYLENE)POLY(OXYETHYLENE) BLOCK COPOLYMER75-H-1400JP0CK963E0TVM 37052901V8XARUNII-68T8I45V23CHEBI:32026

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

Common Questions About Poloxamer 184

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Poloxamer 184?

Use caution with Poloxamer 184 for 0-6 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the cancer risks of Poloxamer 184 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 organ risk risks of Poloxamer 184 for newborns?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the builds up risks of Poloxamer 184 for newborns?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the environmental risks of Poloxamer 184 for newborns?

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

What are the long-term risk risks of Poloxamer 184 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 products contain Poloxamer 184?

Poloxamer 184 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can infants start using products with Poloxamer 184?

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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