Poloxamer 188

1-2 year old toddlersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this toddler-safe to use Poloxamer 188?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Poloxamer 188 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), Poloxamer 188 is usually safe when used on the skin in small amounts such as those in wipes, creams, and lotions. It is a gentle ingredient used to clean and help mix ingredients.

What to Do

Use products from trusted baby brands, do a small patch test on the inner forearm before using widely, avoid putting products with this ingredient on broken or very irritated skin, and stop use if your child develops redness, swelling, or a rash. Prefer products that share safety information or limits on ingredient amounts if you want extra reassurance.

⚠️Warnings

Government reviews (Environment Canada) have noted concerns about environmental persistence and possible effects on non-reproductive organs, and industry reviewers (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) note some missing safety data and concentration limits. Some product verification programs restrict use of this ingredient unless manufacturers provide safety proof. Watch for any skin irritation or signs of allergy and seek medical care if there are breathing problems, severe swelling, or a spreading rash.

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 toddler-safe to use Poloxamer 188?

Yes, Poloxamer 188 is generally considered safe for 1-2 year old toddlers based on current research.

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

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the builds up risks of Poloxamer 188 for toddlers?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the environmental risks of Poloxamer 188 for toddlers?

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

What are the long-term risk risks of Poloxamer 188 for toddlers?

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

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 toddlers using products with Poloxamer 188?

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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