PEG-40 Stearate

PEG-40 Stearate molecular structurePubChem

1-2 year old toddlers • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this toddler-safe to use Peg 40 Stearate?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Peg 40 Stearate is generally considered safe for 1-2 year old toddlers when used in topical products. Watch for toddler-specific sensitivities.

ℹ️General Overview

For toddlers (1–2 years), PEG-40 Stearate is usually low risk when used in normal skin products. The bigger concern is that it can sometimes carry trace contaminants from manufacturing.

✅What to Do

Pick products from reputable brands that list ingredient sourcing or purity controls. Prefer gentle formulations and rinse-off products when possible. Before full use, do a small patch test on the child’s inner forearm and wait 24 hours. If your child has very sensitive skin, eczema, or frequent rashes, consider avoiding products with this ingredient or ask your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin redness, rash, swelling, or irritation after use and stop the product if these occur. The main warning comes from reports about possible contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing (not from the ingredient’s usual function). Also note industry reviews point out data gaps and limits on safe use and impurity levels (Cosmetic Ingredient Review and Environment Canada/FDA assessments).

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: This ingredient can carry high contamination by ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are known to be linked to cancer and were specifically flagged as a contamination concern in the ingredient review. The cosmetic industry safety review notes gaps in testing and limits that rely on how the ingredient is made, which raises real cancer-related worry from these impurities (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review and regulator findings).
Long-Term Risk: Because of the contamination concern with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane and noted gaps in safety assessments, there is a potential for health effects that show up after repeated or long-term exposure. The industry safety review called out data gaps and testing limits that make long-term risk harder to rule out (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review).
Environmental: Government review flagged this substance as suspected to be harmful to the environment. That means using products with this ingredient could have negative effects beyond the person applying them (source: Environment Canada).

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for PEG-40 Stearate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

peg 40 stearatepeg-40 stearate4310-EP2270004A14310-EP2305647A1S-1514310-EP2295503A14310-EP2301544A14310-EP2298735A14310-EP2272827A1POLY(OXY-1, 2-ETHANEDIYL), .ALPHA.-HYDRO-.OMEGA.-HYDROXY-, OCTADECANOATE4310-EP2275413A14310-EP2272832A1

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

Products Containing PEG-40 Stearate

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain PEG-40 Stearate or its alternative names.

Common Questions About PEG-40 Stearate

Is this toddler-safe to use PEG-40 Stearate?

Yes, PEG-40 Stearate is generally considered safe for 1-2 year old toddlers based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of PEG-40 Stearate 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 PEG-40 Stearate 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 environmental risks of PEG-40 Stearate for toddlers?

Possible negative effects on the environment Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What products contain PEG-40 Stearate?

PEG-40 Stearate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can toddlers using products with PEG-40 Stearate?

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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