PEG-40 Stearate

PEG-40 Stearate molecular structurePubChem

2-5 year old preschoolers • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Peg 40 Stearate?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Peg 40 Stearate is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For children 2-5 years (toddlers and preschoolers), this ingredient is usually low risk when used on the skin in normal products. The main concern is not the ingredient itself but small amounts of manufacturing impurities that can sometimes be present.

✅What to Do

Choose products from brands that state they test for impurities or have good manufacturing controls. Avoid using products with this ingredient on broken, irritated or freshly shaved skin. For face products or near the mouth and eyes, limit use and avoid sprays that could be inhaled. If trying a new product, apply a small amount to a patch of the child’s inner arm and watch for 24–48 hours for any redness or rash.

⚠️Warnings

A cosmetics safety review and regulatory sources note possible contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane and mention limits or restrictions on use in some verification programs — this is the main reason to prefer manufacturers who test for impurities. Stop use and see a doctor if your child develops a rash, swelling, or breathing trouble after using a product.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: This ingredient can carry high contamination by ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are known to be linked to cancer and were specifically flagged as a contamination concern in the ingredient review. The cosmetic industry safety review notes gaps in testing and limits that rely on how the ingredient is made, which raises real cancer-related worry from these impurities (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review and regulator findings).
Long-Term Risk: Because of the contamination concern with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane and noted gaps in safety assessments, there is a potential for health effects that show up after repeated or long-term exposure. The industry safety review called out data gaps and testing limits that make long-term risk harder to rule out (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review).
Environmental: Government review flagged this substance as suspected to be harmful to the environment. That means using products with this ingredient could have negative effects beyond the person applying them (source: Environment Canada).

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for PEG-40 Stearate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

peg 40 stearatepeg-40 stearate4310-EP2270004A14310-EP2305647A1S-1514310-EP2295503A14310-EP2301544A14310-EP2298735A14310-EP2272827A1POLY(OXY-1, 2-ETHANEDIYL), .ALPHA.-HYDRO-.OMEGA.-HYDROXY-, OCTADECANOATE4310-EP2275413A14310-EP2272832A1

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

Products Containing PEG-40 Stearate

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain PEG-40 Stearate or its alternative names.

Common Questions About PEG-40 Stearate

Safe for preschoolers to use PEG-40 Stearate?

Yes, PEG-40 Stearate is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of PEG-40 Stearate for preschoolers?

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 PEG-40 Stearate for preschoolers?

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

What are the environmental risks of PEG-40 Stearate for preschoolers?

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

What products contain PEG-40 Stearate?

PEG-40 Stearate 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-40 Stearate?

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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