Steareth

0-6 month old newbornsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

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

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

ℹ️General Overview

For infants (0–6 months): Steareth is usually low risk but we recommend extra caution because tiny amounts of manufacturing residues have been identified as a concern and infant skin is very sensitive.

What to Do

Use products made and labeled for newborns when you can. If a product contains steareth and you must use it, apply a very small amount to a tiny patch of skin (inner forearm or leg) and wait 24 hours to watch for redness or irritation. Do not use on cuts, eczema, or very irritated skin. Prefer simple, short-ingredient lists and check with the manufacturer if they test for manufacturing residues.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, swelling, rash, increased fussiness, or any blistering after use — stop use and contact your pediatrician if these happen. The warnings about possible manufacturing residues (ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane) and limited direct testing were raised by cosmetic safety reviewers and Environment Canada; this is why extra caution is advised for newborns and young babies.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient record shows high contamination concerns and specifically lists ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane as possible contaminants. Those contaminants are linked with cancer risk, so their presence as impurities makes this ingredient a potential cancer risk if contaminated.
Long-Term Risk: A formal safety note (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) says the safety assessment relied on related chemicals, and the ingredient record lists high contamination concerns. That uncertainty plus possible carcinogenic impurities raises the chance of health problems after repeated, long‑term use.
Environmental: Environment Canada flagged this substance as a suspected environmental toxin. That means it may harm wildlife or ecosystems if released into the environment.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Steareth

This ingredient may also be listed as:

DSSTOX_RID_78754DSSTOX_CID_92996-TETRACHLORO-2-PICOLINED08975DSSTOX_GSID_29299AMTGC009POLYOXYL STEARYL ETHER (NF)3-OXAHENICOSANE-1-OL2-(OCTADECYLOXY) ETHANOL2-(OCTADECYLOXY)-ETHANOL

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

Common Questions About Steareth

Is this ingredient safe for newborns to use Steareth?

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

What are the cancer risks of Steareth 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 Steareth 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 Steareth for newborns?

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

What products contain Steareth?

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

When can infants start using products with Steareth?

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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