PEG-3 Distearate

PEG-3 Distearate molecular structurePubChem

5+ year old children • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Peg 3 Distearate?

✅
YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Peg 3 Distearate 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-aged kids), PEG-3 Distearate is usually safe when used on the skin in normal personal care products. Major health concerns like cancer or developmental harm are considered low, but some experts point out possible contamination with industrial impurities.

✅What to Do

If you’re buying a lotion or cream for a child (5+ years), it’s fine to use products that list PEG-3 Distearate. Prefer brands that test for impurities or state they control for ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane. Do a small patch test first if your child has sensitive skin. Don’t apply products to broken or inflamed skin unless advised by a doctor.

⚠️Warnings

A public ingredient review and regulatory summaries note contamination concerns (ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane) and some data gaps from industry safety reviews (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Because of that, avoid heavy or daily use of products containing this ingredient on very young children or on skin that’s broken or inflamed, and choose products from companies that test for these impurities. Watch for skin redness, rash, or irritation and stop use and seek medical advice if those occur.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient record flags high contamination concerns with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. These two impurities are known by health regulators to be linked with cancer risk, and the ingredient’s safety notes call out those contaminants explicitly.
Banned: Industry and government safety notes recommend limits and controls on use, concentration, and impurities for this ingredient. A cosmetic safety review panel also notes restrictions and the need for substantiation before use in verified products, so some programs limit or restrict its use.
Long-Term Risk: Safety reviews point to data gaps and that assessments were sometimes based on related chemicals rather than full data for this exact ingredient. Combined with the contamination by long‑term hazards (listed above), this creates a credible risk of harm from repeated or long-term exposure.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for PEG-3 Distearate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

peg-3 distearatePEG-3 DISTEARATETRIGLYCOL DISTEARATEPOLYOXYETHYLENE (3) DISTEARATEPOLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (3) DISTEARATESCHEMBL11828691

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

Products Containing PEG-3 Distearate

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain PEG-3 Distearate or its alternative names.

Common Questions About PEG-3 Distearate

Is this kid-friendly to use PEG-3 Distearate?

Yes, PEG-3 Distearate is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of PEG-3 Distearate for children?

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

What are the banned risks of PEG-3 Distearate for children?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries.

What are the long-term risk risks of PEG-3 Distearate for children?

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

What products contain PEG-3 Distearate?

PEG-3 Distearate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with PEG-3 Distearate?

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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