Ceteareth-20

Ceteareth-20 molecular structure

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Ceteareth 20?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Ceteareth 20 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For children aged 5 and up (school-age kids), Ceteareth-20 is usually low risk in finished skin products. The main issues are possible contamination with chemicals called ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane, and the fact this ingredient can help other ingredients get through the skin. Overall it is safer for children 5+ than for babies or toddlers, but some caution is still wise.

What to Do

If you use a product that lists Ceteareth-20 on a child’s skin: choose products from brands that test for contaminants or avoid this ingredient when possible; prefer rinse-off products (like shampoos or washes) over leave-on products (like lotions) when the ingredient is present; do a small patch test on the child’s forearm before wider use; avoid applying to broken, red, or irritated skin; if your child has eczema or very sensitive skin, pick products formulated without it.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for new redness, itching, stinging, or rash after using a product — stop use if these occur. Be careful with products used frequently or left on the skin because Ceteareth-20 can increase absorption of other ingredients (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review). There are also documented contamination concerns for ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane with ingredients in this class (source: public ingredient reviews and contamination testing). Some product verification programs restrict this ingredient unless brands provide testing data — prefer brands that show contaminant testing.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient assessment lists contamination by ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Those contaminants are linked to cancer by health authorities, so their presence here is a real cancer concern.
Absorbed: A safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) flags this ingredient as a penetration enhancer. That means it can help other chemicals get through the skin and into the body, raising exposure risk.
Long-Term Risk: Because this ingredient can boost skin absorption and it can be contaminated with harmful chemicals, repeated use could raise health risks over time according to the ingredient assessment and safety review.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Ceteareth-20

This ingredient may also be listed as:

ceteareth-20ceteareth 20cetearethCETEARETH-20CETEARETHPOLYOXYETHYLENE (20) CETYL/STEARYL ETHERPOLYETHYLENE GLYCOL 1000 CETYL/STEARYL ETHERPEG-20 CETYL/STEARYL ETHERPEG-20 CETOSTEARYL ALCOHOL

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

Products Containing Ceteareth-20

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Ceteareth-20 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Ceteareth-20

Is this kid-friendly to use Ceteareth-20?

Yes, Ceteareth-20 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of Ceteareth-20 for children?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure.

What are the absorbed risks of Ceteareth-20 for children?

Can be absorbed through the skin and get into the bloodstream.

What are the long-term risk risks of Ceteareth-20 for children?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.

What products contain Ceteareth-20?

Ceteareth-20 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Ceteareth-20?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 5+ year old children. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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