PEG-3 Distearate

PEG-3 Distearate molecular structurePubChem

6-12 month old babies • Skin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Peg 3 Distearate?

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USE WITH CAUTION
Danger Score: 4 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Peg 3 Distearate use with caution for 6-12 month old babies when used in topical products. Monitor for any reactions in older babies.

ℹ️General Overview

For infants 6–12 months: the ingredient itself is not known to be highly toxic, but there is a real concern that it can be contaminated during manufacturing with chemicals called ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Because babies’ skin is still delicate, use caution.

✅What to Do

Choose baby-specific products from brands that test for contaminants or say they avoid PEG-related contaminants; prefer rinse-off products (like gentle washes) over leave-on creams when possible; do a small patch test on a thigh and wait 24 hours before wider use; avoid using on broken or irritated skin; stop use and check with your pediatrician if you see redness, rash, swelling, or other irritation.

⚠️Warnings

A reputable cosmetic safety database flags contamination with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane and notes data gaps and manufacturing restrictions (industry safety reviewers). Also this ingredient is restricted in some verified product programs — that restriction is a warning to prefer baby-tested or contaminant-free formulations. Watch for irritation and prefer products labeled for infants or tested for contaminant levels.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: The ingredient record flags high contamination concerns with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. These two impurities are known by health regulators to be linked with cancer risk, and the ingredient’s safety notes call out those contaminants explicitly.
Banned: Industry and government safety notes recommend limits and controls on use, concentration, and impurities for this ingredient. A cosmetic safety review panel also notes restrictions and the need for substantiation before use in verified products, so some programs limit or restrict its use.
Long-Term Risk: Safety reviews point to data gaps and that assessments were sometimes based on related chemicals rather than full data for this exact ingredient. Combined with the contamination by long‑term hazards (listed above), this creates a credible risk of harm from repeated or long-term exposure.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for PEG-3 Distearate

This ingredient may also be listed as:

peg-3 distearatePEG-3 DISTEARATETRIGLYCOL DISTEARATEPOLYOXYETHYLENE (3) DISTEARATEPOLYETHYLENE GLYCOL (3) DISTEARATESCHEMBL11828691

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

Products Containing PEG-3 Distearate

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain PEG-3 Distearate or its alternative names.

Common Questions About PEG-3 Distearate

Can older babies safely use PEG-3 Distearate?

Use caution with PEG-3 Distearate for 6-12 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.

What are the cancer risks of PEG-3 Distearate for older babies?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the banned risks of PEG-3 Distearate for older babies?

Banned or heavily restricted in one or more countries. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the long-term risk risks of PEG-3 Distearate for older babies?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain PEG-3 Distearate?

PEG-3 Distearate is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

Is this appropriate for older babies to using products with PEG-3 Distearate?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for 6-12 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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