Polybutene

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Polybutene?

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

ℹ️General Overview

For children 5 years and older (kids, school-age children, tweens, teens), polybutene — a common thickener or binder in creams, lotions and lip products — is usually low risk when used on normal, unbroken skin in regular cosmetic amounts.

What to Do

Before widespread use, do a small patch test on the inside of the forearm and wait 24 hours. Use products meant for children when possible. Avoid applying to cuts, rashes, or sore skin. If your child gets redness, itching, swelling, or any breathing trouble after using a product, stop use and rinse the area, and contact your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

Some government agencies have noted limited evidence of skin, eye or lung irritation (source: European Chemicals Agency) and have flagged potential non-reproductive organ-system concerns in certain assessments (sources: Environment Canada, European Chemicals Agency). Industry reviews also note data gaps and recommended concentration limits for some product types (source: Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Because of this, watch for irritation, avoid use on broken skin, keep products out of reach to prevent licking or swallowing, and prefer kid-formulated products or those with clear safety documentation.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: Environment Canada classifies polybutene as “expected to be toxic or harmful” and a medium human-health priority, and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) lists it as potentially toxic or harmful. Those agency findings mean there is evidence polybutene can cause non-reproductive organ harm with repeated exposure, so regular topical use on a child could raise risk to organs (for example liver, kidneys, or lungs) over time.
Environmental: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) flags wildlife and environmental toxicity for polybutene. That indicates the ingredient can harm animals or ecosystems if released into the environment, so it poses a real environmental risk even if it is not seen as strongly bioaccumulative by some reviewers.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polybutene

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polybuteneBUTENE, POLYMER-BOUND, 50-100 MESH, EXTENT OF LABELING: 1.0-2.0 MMOL VINYL PER G LOADING157439-EP2374780A1217186-EP2374780A1186918-EP2374781A1186918-EP2270113A1157439-EP2284163A2186918-EP2374780A1Q2468763186918-EP2272935A1157439-EP2374781A1

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

Products Containing Polybutene

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polybutene or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polybutene

Is this kid-friendly to use Polybutene?

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

What are the organ risk risks of Polybutene for children?

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

What are the environmental risks of Polybutene for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What products contain Polybutene?

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

When can kids start using products with Polybutene?

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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