Polybutene

1-2 year old toddlersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this toddler-safe to use Polybutene?

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

ℹ️General Overview

Polybutene is a sticky thickener used on the skin. For toddlers (1–2 years), it is usually low risk, but there are some concerns about irritation and possible organ effects from regulatory reviews. Overall it’s not a common cause of serious harm, but treat it with care on young children’s skin.

What to Do

If a product for your toddler lists polybutene: 1) Prefer products made for children or babies where the maker gives safety or concentration information. 2) Do a small patch test on your child’s inner forearm and wait 24 hours before wider use. 3) Do not apply to broken, inflamed, or sensitive areas. 4) Avoid frequent or all-over use and avoid use in the diaper area where skin is covered and moisture is trapped. 5) Stop use and talk to your pediatrician if you see redness, rash, swelling, or any new symptoms.

⚠️Warnings

Some government agencies (Environment Canada and the European Chemicals Agency) have raised concerns about possible non-reproductive organ effects and have noted evidence of irritation. An industry safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) also notes data gaps and limits on how it should be used. Because of those findings, avoid heavy or prolonged use on toddlers, avoid use on damaged skin, and look for products where the manufacturer provides safety or concentration information.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: Environment Canada classifies polybutene as “expected to be toxic or harmful” and a medium human-health priority, and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) lists it as potentially toxic or harmful. Those agency findings mean there is evidence polybutene can cause non-reproductive organ harm with repeated exposure, so regular topical use on a child could raise risk to organs (for example liver, kidneys, or lungs) over time.
Environmental: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) flags wildlife and environmental toxicity for polybutene. That indicates the ingredient can harm animals or ecosystems if released into the environment, so it poses a real environmental risk even if it is not seen as strongly bioaccumulative by some reviewers.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polybutene

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polybuteneBUTENE, POLYMER-BOUND, 50-100 MESH, EXTENT OF LABELING: 1.0-2.0 MMOL VINYL PER G LOADING157439-EP2374780A1217186-EP2374780A1186918-EP2374781A1186918-EP2270113A1157439-EP2284163A2186918-EP2374780A1Q2468763186918-EP2272935A1157439-EP2374781A1

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

Products Containing Polybutene

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polybutene or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polybutene

Is this toddler-safe to use Polybutene?

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

What are the organ risk risks of Polybutene 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 environmental risks of Polybutene for toddlers?

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

What products contain Polybutene?

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

When can toddlers using products with Polybutene?

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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