For children 5 years and older (kids, school-age children, older children and teens), Polysorbate 80 is usually safe to use on the skin in normal amounts. Most safety reviews say the ingredient itself is low risk. The biggest concern comes from possible manufacturing impurities (not the ingredient itself).
Pick products from trustworthy brands that test for manufacturing impurities. Don’t use products on cuts or broken skin. If your child has sensitive skin, try a small patch test on the inside of the arm and wait 24 hours. Stop use and rinse with water if you see redness, swelling, or the child complains of stinging.
Watch for skin irritation or allergic reactions (redness, rash, itching). Avoid applying to broken or inflamed skin and keep away from the eyes. Ingredient safety reports flag contamination risks with ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing — prefer products that state they test for or limit these impurities (based on industry safety reviews and government assessments).
Scan the full ingredient label and understand if it's safe for your child.
This ingredient has the following documented risks:
Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.
This ingredient may also be listed as:
Always check ingredient labels carefully, as ingredients may be listed under different names.
This ingredient is found in the following products:
This list shows products that contain Polysorbate 80 or its alternative names.
Yes, Polysorbate 80 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.
Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure.
Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.
Polysorbate 80 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.
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.
Use our camera scanner to analyze more ingredient labels
Scan Another Product