PEG-3 Distearate

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Peg 3 Distearate?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Peg 3 Distearate is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For toddlers and young children (2–5 years): this ingredient is an emulsifier that is usually low risk when used on skin. The bigger issue is possible contamination that can happen during manufacturing. If the product is made and tested well, it’s generally safe for occasional topical use on children in this age group.

What to Do

Use products that come from brands that test for impurities or state they limit contaminants. Prefer rinse-off products (like shampoos or washes) over leave-on creams when possible for young children. Do a small patch test on the child’s arm before using a new product widely. Avoid using on broken, irritated, or inflamed skin. If you see redness, swelling, or other signs of irritation, stop use and check with your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for contamination concerns listed by regulatory and industry reviews (notably ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane from manufacturing). Industry safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) note data gaps and reliance on related-chemical assessments; Environment Canada reports the ingredient itself is not expected to be harmful, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recognizes limited uses. Also be aware some product certification programs restrict this ingredient unless manufacturers provide documentation about impurity control. If a product does not show that it tests for or limits ethylene oxide / 1,4-dioxane, consider choosing a different product.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient record flags high contamination concerns with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. These two impurities are known by health regulators to be linked with cancer risk, and the ingredient’s safety notes call out those contaminants explicitly.
Banned: Industry and government safety notes recommend limits and controls on use, concentration, and impurities for this ingredient. A cosmetic safety review panel also notes restrictions and the need for substantiation before use in verified products, so some programs limit or restrict its use.
Long-Term Risk: Safety reviews point to data gaps and that assessments were sometimes based on related chemicals rather than full data for this exact ingredient. Combined with the contamination by long‑term hazards (listed above), this creates a credible risk of harm from repeated or long-term exposure.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for PEG-3 Distearate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

peg-3 distearatePEG-3 DISTEARATETRIGLYCOL DISTEARATEPOLYOXYETHYLENE (3) DISTEARATEPOLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (3) DISTEARATESCHEMBL11828691

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

Products Containing PEG-3 Distearate

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain PEG-3 Distearate or its alternative names.

Common Questions About PEG-3 Distearate

Safe for preschoolers to use PEG-3 Distearate?

Yes, PEG-3 Distearate is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of PEG-3 Distearate for preschoolers?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the banned risks of PEG-3 Distearate for preschoolers?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the long-term risk risks of PEG-3 Distearate for preschoolers?

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

What products contain PEG-3 Distearate?

PEG-3 Distearate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

Is this suitable for preschoolers to using products with PEG-3 Distearate?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 2-5 year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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