Laureth-4

Laureth-4 molecular structurePubChem

1-2 year old toddlers • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this toddler-safe to use Laureth 4?

⚠️
USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 5 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Laureth 4 use with caution for 1-2 year old toddlers when used in topical products. Watch for toddler-specific sensitivities.

ℹ️General Overview

For toddlers (1–2 years), Laureth-4 can help clean skin but it can also irritate sensitive skin and eyes. There are also concerns about small amounts of manufacturing impurities, so it’s not the best choice for everyday products for young children.

✅What to Do

If you can, pick a product made for toddlers that does not list Laureth-4. If a product does contain it, choose a rinse-off product (like a shampoo or wash) rather than a leave-on lotion, do a small patch test first, avoid using it near the eyes or mouth, and stop use if you see redness, stinging, or a rash. Look for brands that state they control or test for impurities such as ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, swelling, stinging, or a rash after use — these are signs of irritation. Avoid using products with Laureth-4 on broken skin. The caution comes from published safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) that note strong evidence of irritation and from concerns about manufacturing impurities (ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane). Because safety reviews also note some gaps in the data, be extra careful with toddlers.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Irritant: A formal safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) found strong evidence that this ingredient can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs in people. The same review flags moderate irritation as a real concern for topical use, so babies with sensitive skin may get redness, itching, or rashes.
Cancer: This ingredient can carry contamination from ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. International health agencies (IARC/WHO) list ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible carcinogen. Because these impurities can be present, there is a real cancer-related risk from contaminated product exposure.
Long-Term Risk: Regulatory and industry safety reviews note impurities and data gaps for this chemical and recommend limits on impurities and manufacturing methods (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Persistent exposure to the listed contaminants is tied to long-term health effects, so repeated use raises longer-term risk.
Absorbed: This is a topical, ethoxylated ingredient and industry reviews warn that manufacturing impurities can remain. Those impurities and the ingredient itself can be absorbed through skin, so some chemical can reach the body after use (noted in CIR assessments).

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Laureth-4

This ingredient may also be listed as:

laureth-4M445FATTY ALCOHOL POLYOXYETHYLENE ETHER(O-20)KS-00000Y05FT-0627728POLYOXYL 4 LAURYL ETHER, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARDNCGC00159385-03TETRAETHYLENEN GLYCOL MONO-N-DODECYL ETHERFT-0710803NCGC00159385-02MCULE-2882952206LAURETH-4

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

Products Containing Laureth-4

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Laureth-4 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Laureth-4

Is this toddler-safe to use Laureth-4?

Use caution with Laureth-4 for 1-2 year old toddlers. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the irritant risks of Laureth-4 for toddlers?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the cancer risks of Laureth-4 for toddlers?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the long-term risk risks of Laureth-4 for toddlers?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the absorbed risks of Laureth-4 for toddlers?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain Laureth-4?

Laureth-4 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can toddlers using products with Laureth-4?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 1-2 year old toddlers. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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