For a 6–12 month old baby (older infant), this ingredient is commonly used and not strongly linked to serious health problems. The biggest worry is possible contamination from manufacturing chemicals. Infants can be more sensitive, so we recommend caution.
When using products on your 6–12 month old: choose baby-formulated products from brands that test for impurities or state they are free of ethylene oxide/1,4‑dioxane; use sparingly and avoid applying to broken or irritated skin (for example, diaper rash); do a small patch test on a little area of the leg or arm and wait 24 hours to watch for redness or rash; if you prefer, pick simpler products without PEG ingredients for regular daily use.
Watch for redness, swelling, rash, or other signs of irritation and stop use if they occur. Avoid using on broken skin. The ingredient data above flags contamination concerns with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane from manufacturing — that is the main reason to prefer products that test for or explicitly limit these impurities. Also avoid frequent, long-term application over large areas of your baby’s body if the manufacturer does not provide impurity testing information.
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This ingredient has the following documented risks:
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This ingredient may also be listed as:
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This ingredient is found in the following products:
This list shows products that contain PEG-40 Stearate or its alternative names.
Use caution with PEG-40 Stearate for 6-12 month old babies. Some safety concerns have been identified.
Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.
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.
Possible negative effects on the environment This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.
PEG-40 Stearate 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 6-12 month old babies. Use the age selector above to check other ages.
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