Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

Polyaminopropyl Biguanide molecular structure

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Polyaminopropyl Biguanide?

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USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 4 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polyaminopropyl Biguanide use with caution for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For 2-5 year olds (toddlers and preschoolers), this preservative is not commonly linked to cancer or long-term developmental problems, but some countries limit or ban it and it can sometimes cause irritation. Be careful and prefer products made for young children.

What to Do

If possible, choose products made and labeled for children or rinse-off products (like shampoos or body washes) rather than leave-on creams that contain this ingredient. Do a small patch test on the child’s inner forearm and wait 24 hours before wider use. Avoid applying to broken or irritated skin and keep away from the face and eyes. If you see any redness, swelling, itching, or breathing changes, stop use and talk to your child’s doctor.

⚠️Warnings

Some government and expert safety reviews have restricted or banned this ingredient in certain cosmetic uses (see safety opinions from regulators such as the European cosmetics authority, Japan’s Ministry of Health, and industry safety reviews by the Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Those reviews also note limited safety data and possible skin/eye/lung irritation. Watch for signs of irritation (redness, rash, swelling, watery eyes, coughing or breathing trouble) and avoid use on injured skin or near the eyes. If a severe reaction occurs, seek medical care.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Banned: A 2015 EU safety opinion found polyaminopropyl biguanide (PHMB) unsafe for some cosmetic uses and the EU Cosmetics Directive restricts it. Japan's Ministry of Health also limits how much can be used in some products. An industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) says it may be safe only with concentration limits and notes gaps in the data. Because multiple government bodies have banned or tightly restricted this ingredient, it is a regulatory safety risk for use in cosmetics.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polyaminopropyl biguanideVANTOCIL 1BPP 073POLY(IMINOCARBONIMIDOYLIMINOCARBONIMIDOYLIMINO-1,6-HEXANEDIYL), HYDROCHLORIDEPOLY(HEXAMETHYLENEBIGUANIDE HYDROCHLORIDE)POLIHEXANIDUMPOLIHEXANIDOPHMBCOSMOQUIL CQPOLYHEXANIDEPOLYAMINOPROPYL BIGUANIDE

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

Products Containing Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polyaminopropyl Biguanide or its alternative names.

Research Articles on Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

Scientific research related to this ingredient:

These research articles provide scientific evidence about Polyaminopropyl Biguanide safety and effects.

Common Questions About Polyaminopropyl Biguanide

Safe for preschoolers to use Polyaminopropyl Biguanide?

Use caution with Polyaminopropyl Biguanide for 2-5 year old children. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the banned risks of Polyaminopropyl Biguanide for preschoolers?

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

What products contain Polyaminopropyl Biguanide?

Polyaminopropyl Biguanide 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 Polyaminopropyl Biguanide?

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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