Poloxamer 188

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 188?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Poloxamer 188 is generally considered safe for 0-6 month old babies when used in topical products. Always consult your pediatrician for newborns.

ℹ️General Overview

For newborns and babies (0-6 months): Poloxamer 188 is usually mild and not known to cause cancer or strong allergies, but safety studies are limited and some regulators have raised concerns about effects on organs and persistence in the environment. Because babies have very delicate skin, we recommend being cautious.

What to Do

Use wipes or creams that list Poloxamer 188 only when needed; choose products made for infants; avoid rubbing products into broken or irritated skin; do a small patch check on one area (for example, inner forearm or thigh) before regular use; if the product is left on skin, gently rinse with water if possible; if you prefer to avoid this ingredient entirely, pick an alternative baby product without it.

⚠️Warnings

Pay attention to any redness, rash, swelling, or fussiness after use and stop the product if these occur. Regulators and industry reviewers have flagged missing safety data (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) and possible non-reproductive organ effects and environmental persistence concerns (Environment Canada). Some product verification programs restrict use of this ingredient unless manufacturers provide extra safety information. If you are worried or your baby has very sensitive skin, talk to your pediatrician.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: A government assessment found this ingredient is “expected to be toxic or harmful” to non-reproductive organs and gave it a medium human-health priority. That means repeated or high exposures could harm organs such as the liver or kidneys.
Builds Up: A regulatory review flagged the ingredient as persistent and potentially bioaccumulative with moderate toxicity concern. This means the chemical can stay in the body or environment and build up over time.
Environmental: The same government review listed this substance as a suspected environmental toxin, indicating it may harm aquatic life or other wildlife if released into the environment.
Long-Term Risk: Industry reviewers note data gaps and that safety assessments relied on related chemicals and on reported use levels rather than full data. Paired with persistence and organ-toxicity flags from regulators, this raises concern for possible health effects after long-term or repeated use.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Poloxamer 188

This ingredient may also be listed as:

poloxamer 188UNII-68T8I45V23CHEBI:3202652901V8XARJP0CK963E0.ALPHA.-HYDRO-.OMEGA.-HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE)POLY(OXYPROPYLENE)POLY(OXYETHYLENE) BLOCK COPOLYMER199SZS8E2QTVM 37075-H-14001AZW43116LMST-188

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

Common Questions About Poloxamer 188

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Poloxamer 188?

Yes, Poloxamer 188 is generally considered safe for 0-6 month old babies based on current research.

What are the organ risk risks of Poloxamer 188 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 188 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 188 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 188 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 188?

Poloxamer 188 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can infants start using products with Poloxamer 188?

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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