For children aged 5 years and older (school-age kids, tweens, teens), Steareth-100 is usually low risk when used in normal skin products. The ingredient itself is not expected to cause serious harm, but the main worry is small amounts of manufacturing impurities that some safety reviews have flagged.
Use products from trusted brands that test for impurities. Avoid putting products with this ingredient on broken or very irritated skin. If your child has sensitive skin, do a small patch test on the forearm and wait 24 hours before wider use. For face products, avoid the eye area. If you want extra caution, prefer products labeled as tested for low levels of 1,4-dioxane or similar impurities.
Watch for redness, stinging, swelling, or rash ā stop use if these appear. The warnings about irritation come from Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR). The contamination concerns (ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane) were noted in regulatory reviews such as Environment Canada; some product certification programs also restrict this ingredient unless manufacturers provide safety data. If you are uncertain, contact the brand to ask whether they test final products for these impurities.
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Yes, Steareth-100 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.
Possible negative effects on the environment
Steareth-100 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.
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