Steareth-21

5+ year old childrenSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this kid-friendly to use Steareth 21?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Steareth 21 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 and older), Steareth-21 is usually low risk when it’s in regular lotions or wipes. It helps mix oil and water so creams feel smooth. Most kids won’t be harmed by small amounts on the skin.

What to Do

Use products made for children or those from brands that test their ingredients. Don’t put products with this ingredient on broken or sore skin. If you try a new product, test a small area first (patch test) and watch the skin for a day or two. If your child’s skin becomes red, itchy, or swollen, stop using the product and talk to your pediatrician.

⚠️Warnings

The ingredient summary flags contamination by ethylene oxide and 1,4-dioxane as a concern (these are chemicals that can appear as trace impurities during manufacturing). The Cosmetic Ingredient Review also notes possible skin or eye irritation, and an environmental agency raised contamination/environmental concerns. Some product-verification programs restrict this ingredient unless companies provide extra safety data. Because of these notes, prefer brands that test for impurities and avoid use on children with sensitive skin. If you see irritation, rashes, or if your child has a known chemical sensitivity, stop use and seek medical advice.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient record lists high contamination concerns for ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane as possible manufacturing impurities. Those contaminants are known by public health authorities to be linked to cancer, so contaminated batches of this ingredient could raise a cancer risk.
Environmental: A government environmental agency flagged this ingredient as a suspected environmental toxin. That means it may harm fish, plants, or other wildlife if released to the environment.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Steareth-21

This ingredient may also be listed as:

steareth-21steareth 21KSC498G4TAMTGC0092-(OCTADECYLOXY)ETHAN-1-OLD08975ETHOXYLATED STEARYL ALCOHOLS 2POLYOXYL STEARYL ETHER (NF)DSSTOX_CID_9299SCHEMBL4906736-TETRACHLORO-2-PICOLINEDSSTOX_RID_78754

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

Products Containing Steareth-21

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Steareth-21 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Steareth-21

Is this kid-friendly to use Steareth-21?

Yes, Steareth-21 is generally considered safe for 5+ year old children based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of Steareth-21 for children?

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

What are the environmental risks of Steareth-21 for children?

Possible negative effects on the environment

What products contain Steareth-21?

Steareth-21 is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can kids start using products with Steareth-21?

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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