Steareth

2-5 year old preschoolersSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Safe for preschoolers to use Steareth?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Steareth 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), Steareth is usually low risk when used on the skin in normal product amounts. Most children won’t have a problem, but some may get mild irritation and there are concerns that it can sometimes carry manufacturing contaminants.

What to Do

Use products made for young children and choose brands that share test results or say they control contaminants. Do a small patch test on your child’s inner forearm and wait 24 hours before regular use. Avoid putting products with Steareth on broken, very red, or weepy skin. If your child has a history of eczema or very sensitive skin, consider skipping products with Steareth or ask your pediatrician for a safer alternative.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin redness, rash, itching, or eye irritation and stop use if these appear. The main safety note comes from ingredient safety reviews and environment agency assessments that flagged possible contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane during manufacturing (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, Environment Canada). Also note that some product verification programs require manufacturers to show they control these contaminants before allowing the ingredient — prefer products that provide that information.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient record shows high contamination concerns and specifically lists ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane as possible contaminants. Those contaminants are linked with cancer risk, so their presence as impurities makes this ingredient a potential cancer risk if contaminated.
Long-Term Risk: A formal safety note (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) says the safety assessment relied on related chemicals, and the ingredient record lists high contamination concerns. That uncertainty plus possible carcinogenic impurities raises the chance of health problems after repeated, long‑term use.
Environmental: Environment Canada flagged this substance as a suspected environmental toxin. That means it may harm wildlife or ecosystems if released into the environment.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Steareth

This ingredient may also be listed as:

DSSTOX_RID_78754DSSTOX_CID_92996-TETRACHLORO-2-PICOLINED08975DSSTOX_GSID_29299AMTGC009POLYOXYL STEARYL ETHER (NF)3-OXAHENICOSANE-1-OL2-(OCTADECYLOXY) ETHANOL2-(OCTADECYLOXY)-ETHANOL

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

Common Questions About Steareth

Safe for preschoolers to use Steareth?

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

What are the cancer risks of Steareth 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 Steareth 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 Steareth for preschoolers?

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

What products contain Steareth?

Steareth 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 Steareth?

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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