Polyethylene Glycol

1-2 year old toddlersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this toddler-safe to use Polyethylene Glycol?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polyethylene Glycol 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), this ingredient is usually low risk in small amounts in skin products. The biggest worry is that some products can contain manufacturing impurities (like ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane) that you don’t want on a young child’s skin.

What to Do

If you use a product with this ingredient on your toddler: 1) Prefer rinse-off products (wash-off) over leave-on creams when possible. 2) Don’t apply to broken or irritated skin. 3) Do a small patch test on the arm and wait 24 hours for redness or rash. 4) Choose brands that say they test for impurities or that list impurity controls. 5) If your child has eczema or very sensitive skin, check with your pediatrician before regular use.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin redness, rash, swelling, or increased irritation after use. The ingredient data flags contamination concerns (specifically ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane) as the main reason to be careful — avoid products from unknown sources or brands that don’t test for impurities. If you notice any reaction or if the product is used on broken skin, stop use and consult your child’s doctor.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: The ingredient entry cites a government assessment that classifies this chemical as likely to be toxic or harmful to organ systems (non-reproductive) and as a medium human-health priority. That means repeated topical use could pose risks to organs such as the liver or kidneys.
Cancer: The ingredient data flags high contamination concerns because polyethylene glycol can contain impurities named ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are the reason cancer risk is raised by regulators and ingredient reviewers, so their possible presence makes cancer a real concern.
Long-Term Risk: Because the ingredient is noted to carry harmful contamination risk and is assessed for organ toxicity by government reviewers, ongoing or repeated exposure over years could increase chance of long-term health problems.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polyethylene Glycol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polyethylene glycol27283-EP2287162A127283-EP2281823A227283-EP2287160A127283-EP2284160A127283-EP2292612A227283-EP2308510A127283-EP2308562A227283-EP2305673A127283-EP2287161A1RESIDUAL SOLVENT CLASS 2 - ETHYLENE GLYCOL, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARD

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

Products Containing Polyethylene Glycol

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polyethylene Glycol or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polyethylene Glycol

Is this toddler-safe to use Polyethylene Glycol?

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

What are the organ risk risks of Polyethylene Glycol 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 cancer risks of Polyethylene Glycol 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 Polyethylene Glycol 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 Polyethylene Glycol?

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

When can toddlers using products with Polyethylene Glycol?

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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