PEG-8 Stearate

PEG-8 Stearate molecular structurePubChem

2-5 year old preschoolers • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Peg 8 Stearate?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Peg 8 Stearate is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For toddlers and preschoolers (ages 2–5), PEG-8 Stearate is usually safe when used in small amounts in products like creams or lotions. The bigger worry is not the ingredient itself but possible contamination during manufacturing with chemicals called ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane.

✅What to Do

Choose products made by brands that test for manufacturing contaminants or that state they control impurities. Prefer products made for children, use them in small amounts, and rinse off if possible (for example, use it in wash-off products rather than long‑leave creams). If your child has sensitive skin, use a small patch test on their arm first and wait 24 hours.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin irritation, redness, or rash and stop use if those appear. Avoid putting products containing this ingredient on broken or irritated skin. The ingredient safety report flags contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane — look for brands that say they test for or limit these impurities. If you are unsure, pick a product formulated specifically for young children or one that states it is tested for contaminants.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient data flags high contamination concerns: ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane were listed as possible impurities. Those contaminants are known to be linked to cancer risk by public health assessments, so the product could carry a cancer risk if those impurities are present.
Absorbed: This ingredient is used on skin (topical). The report specifically calls out contamination by small, hazardous chemicals (ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane), which can be absorbed through skin when present as impurities — so harmful contaminants could get into the body from topical use.
Long-Term Risk: Because the ingredient can be contaminated with carcinogenic impurities, repeated or long-term use raises the chance of harm over years. The safety notes also point to data gaps and assessment limits in industry safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review), which adds uncertainty about long-term safety.
Environmental: The file cites an environmental assessment (Environment Canada) that flagged possible ecotoxicology concerns for this substance. That means it may pose a risk to the environment if released during manufacture, use, or disposal.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for PEG-8 Stearate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

TOX21_1130363954DT14A6NSC-31811AKOS015843173UNII-YHX98F77PB COMPONENT RFVNOJDQRGSOEL-UHFFFAOYSA-NUNII-6YLY96TQL6 COMPONENT RFVNOJDQRGSOEL-UHFFFAOYSA-NPOLYOXYETHYLENE MONOSTEARATE ESTER, POE(9) MONOSTEARATEPOLYOXYETHYLENE MONOSTEARATE ESTER, POE(90) MONOSTEARATEPOLY(OXY-1, 2-ETHANEDIYL), .ALPHA.-HYDRO-.OMEGA.-HYDROXY-, OCTADECANOATEPOLY(OXY-1, .ALPHA.-HYDRO-.OMEGA.-HYDROXY-, OCTADECANOATE

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

Common Questions About PEG-8 Stearate

Safe for preschoolers to use PEG-8 Stearate?

Yes, PEG-8 Stearate is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of PEG-8 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 absorbed risks of PEG-8 Stearate for preschoolers?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the long-term risk risks of PEG-8 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-8 Stearate for preschoolers?

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

What products contain PEG-8 Stearate?

PEG-8 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-8 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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