Polyethylene Glycol

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for 0-6 month old newborns to use Polyethylene Glycol?

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NOT RECOMMENDED
Danger Score: 6 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polyethylene Glycol 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 (0–6 months), polyethylene glycol is not shown to be highly dangerous on its own, but because baby skin absorbs more and there are known manufacturing contamination risks, it is safer to be cautious and limit exposure.

What to Do

If possible, choose skincare made specifically for infants that avoids polyethylene glycol. If you need to use a product that contains it: use a very small amount, avoid applying to broken or irritated skin, choose products labeled for baby use or that state they test for and limit impurities, and avoid daily or large-area use. Always wash your hands after applying and keep products out of baby’s mouth and eyes.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for any redness, rash, swelling, or irritation and stop use right away — if symptoms continue, contact your pediatrician. There are documented contamination concerns during manufacturing, specifically ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane, and some regulatory/industry reviews note possible organ-related effects at higher exposures (sources: Environment Canada and industry safety reviews such as Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Because infants absorb more through their skin, those contamination concerns are the main reason to prefer products without polyethylene glycol for babies under 6 months.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: The ingredient entry cites a government assessment that classifies this chemical as likely to be toxic or harmful to organ systems (non-reproductive) and as a medium human-health priority. That means repeated topical use could pose risks to organs such as the liver or kidneys.
Cancer: The ingredient data flags high contamination concerns because polyethylene glycol can contain impurities named ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are the reason cancer risk is raised by regulators and ingredient reviewers, so their possible presence makes cancer a real concern.
Long-Term Risk: Because the ingredient is noted to carry harmful contamination risk and is assessed for organ toxicity by government reviewers, ongoing or repeated exposure over years could increase chance of long-term health problems.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polyethylene Glycol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polyethylene glycol27283-EP2287162A127283-EP2281823A227283-EP2287160A127283-EP2284160A127283-EP2292612A227283-EP2308510A127283-EP2308562A227283-EP2305673A127283-EP2287161A1RESIDUAL SOLVENT CLASS 2 - ETHYLENE GLYCOL, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARD

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

Products Containing Polyethylene Glycol

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polyethylene Glycol or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polyethylene Glycol

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Polyethylene Glycol?

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

What are the organ risk risks of Polyethylene Glycol 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 cancer risks of Polyethylene Glycol 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 Polyethylene Glycol 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 Polyethylene Glycol?

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

When can infants start using products with Polyethylene Glycol?

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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