Steareth

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Steareth?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Steareth is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children when used in topical products. Kids may have different tolerance levels.

ℹ️General Overview

For school-age children (5 years, kids and young children), Steareth is generally low risk when used on the skin in normal amounts. Most children will not have problems, but some may have mild irritation. There is a manufacturing-related concern about possible trace contaminants (like ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane) and some missing data from safety reviews, so we stay a bit cautious.

What to Do

Use products made for kids or labeled for gentle use. Before regular use, do a small patch test on a little area of the inner forearm or behind the ear and wait 24 hours. Avoid using on broken or very red skin. If you see stinging, redness, or a rash, stop use and wash the area with water. Prefer brands that test for or state low levels of manufacturing contaminants, or choose products certified by trusted third parties.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin redness, itchiness, stinging or eye irritation — stop use if any of these appear. The ingredient listing flags possible contamination by ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane from manufacturing and notes some data gaps in safety reviews; those contamination notes are the reason to prefer well-tested, child-formulated products and to avoid applying to broken skin.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient record shows high contamination concerns and specifically lists ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane as possible contaminants. Those contaminants are linked with cancer risk, so their presence as impurities makes this ingredient a potential cancer risk if contaminated.
Long-Term Risk: A formal safety note (Cosmetic Ingredient Review) says the safety assessment relied on related chemicals, and the ingredient record lists high contamination concerns. That uncertainty plus possible carcinogenic impurities raises the chance of health problems after repeated, long‑term use.
Environmental: Environment Canada flagged this substance as a suspected environmental toxin. That means it may harm wildlife or ecosystems if released into the environment.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Steareth

This ingredient may also be listed as:

DSSTOX_RID_78754DSSTOX_CID_92996-TETRACHLORO-2-PICOLINED08975DSSTOX_GSID_29299AMTGC009POLYOXYL STEARYL ETHER (NF)3-OXAHENICOSANE-1-OL2-(OCTADECYLOXY) ETHANOL2-(OCTADECYLOXY)-ETHANOL

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

Common Questions About Steareth

Is this kid-friendly to use Steareth?

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

What are the cancer risks of Steareth for children?

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

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

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

What are the environmental risks of Steareth for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What products contain Steareth?

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

When can kids start using products with Steareth?

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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