Polysorbate 20

Polysorbate 20 molecular structurePubChem

1-2 year old toddlers • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this toddler-safe to use Polysorbate 20?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polysorbate 20 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), Polysorbate 20 is usually low risk when used in normal amounts. It helps mix water and oils and is commonly found in wash-off products like shampoos and cleansers.

✅What to Do

Use products that are rinse-off (shampoos, body washes) rather than leave-on lotions when possible. Do a small patch test on a small area of skin before using widely. Choose trusted brands that test for manufacturing residues. If your child has eczema or very sensitive skin, check with your pediatrician before use.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for signs of irritation (redness, itching) after first use. The main concern is contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane from manufacturing — this has been noted in industry safety reviews and government assessments (for example, Cosmetic Ingredient Review and related government summaries). Also be cautious if your child has broken skin or active eczema — avoid applying products with this ingredient to those areas.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient entry flags high contamination concerns for ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane—impurities that are linked to cancer risk. The industry safety review and ingredient notes also highlight these contamination issues and the need to control manufacturing impurities, so cancer risk comes from those contaminants rather than the pure ingredient itself.
Long-Term Risk: Safety notes point to data gaps and that safety assessments rely on reported ‘as used’ concentrations and manufacturing controls. Because the main concern is contamination by chemicals that can build up with repeated exposure, there is a possible long-term health risk if products contain such impurities over time.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polysorbate 20

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polysorbate 20Polysorbate-20POLYSORBATE 20POLYSORBATE (INN)POLYOXYETHYLENESORBITAN MONOLAURATEPOLYOXYETHYLENE (20) SORBITAN MONOLAURATE9005-64-5TWEEN 202-{2-[3,4-BIS(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)OXOLAN-2-YL]-2-(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)ETHOXY}ETHYL DODECANOATE2-(2-(3,4-BIS(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)TETRAHYDROFURAN-2-YL)-2-(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)ETHOXY)ETHYL DODECANOATE118955-40-1POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MONOLAURATEpolysorbate-20

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

Products Containing Polysorbate 20

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polysorbate 20 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polysorbate 20

Is this toddler-safe to use Polysorbate 20?

Yes, Polysorbate 20 is generally considered safe for 1-2 year old toddlers based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of Polysorbate 20 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 Polysorbate 20 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 Polysorbate 20?

Polysorbate 20 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can toddlers using products with Polysorbate 20?

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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