Laureth-4

Laureth-4 molecular structurePubChem

5+ year old children • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Laureth 4?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Laureth 4 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For school-age children (5 years and up), Laureth-4 is usually low risk when used in rinse-off products like shampoos or body washes. Some people can get redness or stinging, and safety reviews flag possible contamination with processing by-products.

✅What to Do

Use products with Laureth-4 mainly as rinse-off (shampoo, soap) rather than leave-on creams for children. If your child has sensitive skin, do a small patch test on the inner arm first. Pick brands that state they test for impurities or that limit 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide. Stop use and wash the area if you see irritation.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, burning, watery eyes, coughing, or breathing changes after use—these are signs of irritation. Safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review and contamination reports) note skin/eye/lung irritation and possible contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Avoid using on broken or irritated skin and avoid frequent use in children with a history of eczema or very sensitive skin. Some product verification programs require manufacturers to show testing or limits for impurities before allowing this ingredient in verified products.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Irritant: A formal safety review (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) found strong evidence that this ingredient can irritate skin, eyes, or lungs in people. The same review flags moderate irritation as a real concern for topical use, so babies with sensitive skin may get redness, itching, or rashes.
Cancer: This ingredient can carry contamination from ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. International health agencies (IARC/WHO) list ethylene oxide as a known human carcinogen and 1,4-dioxane as a possible carcinogen. Because these impurities can be present, there is a real cancer-related risk from contaminated product exposure.
Long-Term Risk: Regulatory and industry safety reviews note impurities and data gaps for this chemical and recommend limits on impurities and manufacturing methods (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Persistent exposure to the listed contaminants is tied to long-term health effects, so repeated use raises longer-term risk.
Absorbed: This is a topical, ethoxylated ingredient and industry reviews warn that manufacturing impurities can remain. Those impurities and the ingredient itself can be absorbed through skin, so some chemical can reach the body after use (noted in CIR assessments).

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Laureth-4

This ingredient may also be listed as:

laureth-4M445FATTY ALCOHOL POLYOXYETHYLENE ETHER(O-20)KS-00000Y05FT-0627728POLYOXYL 4 LAURYL ETHER, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARDNCGC00159385-03TETRAETHYLENEN GLYCOL MONO-N-DODECYL ETHERFT-0710803NCGC00159385-02MCULE-2882952206LAURETH-4

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

Products Containing Laureth-4

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Laureth-4 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Laureth-4

Is this kid-friendly to use Laureth-4?

Yes, Laureth-4 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the irritant risks of Laureth-4 for children?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin.

What are the cancer risks of Laureth-4 for children?

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

What are the long-term risk risks of Laureth-4 for children?

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

What are the absorbed risks of Laureth-4 for children?

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

What products contain Laureth-4?

Laureth-4 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Laureth-4?

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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