Polysorbate 80

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Polysorbate 80?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 1 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polysorbate 80 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, 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).

What to Do

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.

⚠️Warnings

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).

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: This ingredient can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are flagged by international health agencies as chemicals that can raise cancer risk with repeated exposure, so contamination in the ingredient creates a real cancer concern.
Long-Term Risk: Because the ingredient can contain trace contaminants (ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane) and there are noted data gaps and limits set by the industry safety panel, there is a risk of long-term health effects from repeated use over time.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polysorbate 80

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polysorbate 80polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleateSORBITAN, MONO-9-OCTADECENOATE, POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS.POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS. SORBITAN, MONO-9-OCTADECENOATEMONO-9-OCTADECENOATE POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS. SORBITANSORBITAN, MONO-9-OCTADECENOATE, (Z)-POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS.SORBITAN, MONO-(9Z)-9-OCTADECENOATE, POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS.SORBITAN, MONO9OCTADECENOATE, POLY(OXY1,2ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS., (Z)POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MONOOLEATE2-[2-[3,4-BIS(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)OXOLAN-2-YL]-2-(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)ETHOXY]ETHYL OCTADEC-9-ENOATE9005-65-6MFCD00082107

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

Products Containing Polysorbate 80

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polysorbate 80 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polysorbate 80

Is this kid-friendly to use Polysorbate 80?

Yes, Polysorbate 80 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of Polysorbate 80 for children?

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

What are the long-term risk risks of Polysorbate 80 for children?

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

What products contain Polysorbate 80?

Polysorbate 80 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Polysorbate 80?

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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