Poloxamer 188

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Poloxamer 188?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Poloxamer 188 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

Poloxamer 188 is a mild cleaning and texture ingredient used in wipes, shampoos and creams. For children 5 years and older (school-age kids, older children and teens) it is generally low risk when used as directed and in normal amounts.

What to Do

Use products that are made for children or labeled gentle. Patch test a small area (inside forearm) before using a new product widely. Don’t put products containing this ingredient on broken, red, or irritated skin. Use sparingly — normal daily use of commercial wipes, shampoos or lotions is fine, but avoid heavy or repeated application over large areas for long periods. If your child accidentally eats a product, contact poison control.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for any new redness, rash, itching or eye irritation and stop use if these occur. Some government reviews have raised concerns about environmental persistence and possible effects on organs (Environment Canada), and industry safety reviews note data gaps and limits on how this ingredient has been assessed (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Also note that some product certification programs restrict its use in verified products. These findings do not mean immediate harm for typical short-term skin use in children, but they are why cautious, limited use and choosing reputable brands is advised.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: A government assessment found this ingredient is “expected to be toxic or harmful” to non-reproductive organs and gave it a medium human-health priority. That means repeated or high exposures could harm organs such as the liver or kidneys.
Builds Up: A regulatory review flagged the ingredient as persistent and potentially bioaccumulative with moderate toxicity concern. This means the chemical can stay in the body or environment and build up over time.
Environmental: The same government review listed this substance as a suspected environmental toxin, indicating it may harm aquatic life or other wildlife if released into the environment.
Long-Term Risk: Industry reviewers note data gaps and that safety assessments relied on related chemicals and on reported use levels rather than full data. Paired with persistence and organ-toxicity flags from regulators, this raises concern for possible health effects after long-term or repeated use.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Poloxamer 188

This ingredient may also be listed as:

poloxamer 188UNII-68T8I45V23CHEBI:3202652901V8XARJP0CK963E0.ALPHA.-HYDRO-.OMEGA.-HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE)POLY(OXYPROPYLENE)POLY(OXYETHYLENE) BLOCK COPOLYMER199SZS8E2QTVM 37075-H-14001AZW43116LMST-188

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

Common Questions About Poloxamer 188

Is this kid-friendly to use Poloxamer 188?

Yes, Poloxamer 188 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the organ risk risks of Poloxamer 188 for children?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the builds up risks of Poloxamer 188 for children?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use.

What are the environmental risks of Poloxamer 188 for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What are the long-term risk risks of Poloxamer 188 for children?

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

What products contain Poloxamer 188?

Poloxamer 188 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Poloxamer 188?

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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