Polysorbate 80

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Polysorbate 80?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polysorbate 80 is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children when used in topical products. Consider preschooler activity levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For preschool children (ages 2-5), Polysorbate 80 is usually low risk when used on normal, unbroken skin in everyday products like lotions and wipes. The biggest safety note is not the ingredient itself but possible tiny impurities from manufacturing.

What to Do

Use products from reputable brands and those made for children. Do a small patch test (apply a pea-sized amount on the inside of the forearm) and wait 24 hours to check for redness or itching before regular use. Avoid putting products with this ingredient on broken, scratched, or very irritated skin. If you can, choose products that say they test for or limit manufacturing impurities (look for wording about low levels of manufacturing byproducts). If your child’s skin becomes irritated, stop use and consult your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for rash, redness, swelling, itching, or eye irritation after using a new product. The safety listing for this ingredient flags contamination concerns with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane from manufacturing — look for products that minimize these impurities or are from brands that test for them. Also avoid use near the eyes or on open cuts. If you see signs of a strong reaction, seek medical advice.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: This ingredient can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are flagged by international health agencies as chemicals that can raise cancer risk with repeated exposure, so contamination in the ingredient creates a real cancer concern.
Long-Term Risk: Because the ingredient can contain trace contaminants (ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane) and there are noted data gaps and limits set by the industry safety panel, there is a risk of long-term health effects from repeated use over time.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polysorbate 80

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polysorbate 80polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleateSORBITAN, MONO-9-OCTADECENOATE, POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS.POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS. SORBITAN, MONO-9-OCTADECENOATEMONO-9-OCTADECENOATE POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS. SORBITANSORBITAN, MONO-9-OCTADECENOATE, (Z)-POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS.SORBITAN, MONO-(9Z)-9-OCTADECENOATE, POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS.SORBITAN, MONO9OCTADECENOATE, POLY(OXY1,2ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS., (Z)POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MONOOLEATE2-[2-[3,4-BIS(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)OXOLAN-2-YL]-2-(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)ETHOXY]ETHYL OCTADEC-9-ENOATE9005-65-6MFCD00082107

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

Products Containing Polysorbate 80

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polysorbate 80 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polysorbate 80

Safe for preschoolers to use Polysorbate 80?

Yes, Polysorbate 80 is generally considered safe for 2-5 year old children based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of Polysorbate 80 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 Polysorbate 80 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 Polysorbate 80?

Polysorbate 80 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 Polysorbate 80?

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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