Polyethylene Glycol

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Polyethylene Glycol?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polyethylene Glycol 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 (children aged 2-5 years), polyethylene glycol is usually safe when used on the skin in small amounts. Most kids do not get irritation or allergic reactions. The main issue is not the ingredient itself but possible tiny amounts of manufacturing contaminants that some safety reviews flag.

What to Do

If you use a product with polyethylene glycol on a 2-5 year old: do a small patch test first (apply a little on the inner forearm and wait 24 hours), avoid putting it on cuts or red, broken skin, choose brands that state they test for purity or for common impurities (ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane), and stop use and call your pediatrician if you see rash, swelling, or any unusual reaction. For daily full-body use, pick products that list testing or low-impurity manufacturing.

⚠️Warnings

Safety reviews and government sources note contamination concerns (ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane) and some low-to-moderate concerns for organ-system effects from impurities or high exposures. Because of that, avoid products that do not provide information about purity or testing, avoid use on broken skin, and be alert for redness, itching, swelling, or breathing changes. If you are unsure, ask the product maker about impurity testing or choose a product made for young children with documented testing.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: The ingredient entry cites a government assessment that classifies this chemical as likely to be toxic or harmful to organ systems (non-reproductive) and as a medium human-health priority. That means repeated topical use could pose risks to organs such as the liver or kidneys.
Cancer: The ingredient data flags high contamination concerns because polyethylene glycol can contain impurities named ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are the reason cancer risk is raised by regulators and ingredient reviewers, so their possible presence makes cancer a real concern.
Long-Term Risk: Because the ingredient is noted to carry harmful contamination risk and is assessed for organ toxicity by government reviewers, ongoing or repeated exposure over years could increase chance of long-term health problems.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polyethylene Glycol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polyethylene glycol27283-EP2287162A127283-EP2281823A227283-EP2287160A127283-EP2284160A127283-EP2292612A227283-EP2308510A127283-EP2308562A227283-EP2305673A127283-EP2287161A1RESIDUAL SOLVENT CLASS 2 - ETHYLENE GLYCOL, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARD

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

Products Containing Polyethylene Glycol

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polyethylene Glycol or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polyethylene Glycol

Safe for preschoolers to use Polyethylene Glycol?

Yes, Polyethylene Glycol is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children based on current research.

What are the organ risk risks of Polyethylene Glycol for preschoolers?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. Young children may be more sensitive to these effects.

What are the cancer risks of Polyethylene Glycol 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 Polyethylene Glycol 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 Polyethylene Glycol?

Polyethylene Glycol 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 Polyethylene Glycol?

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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