Poloxamer 188

6-12 month old babiesSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Poloxamer 188?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Poloxamer 188 is generally considered safe for 6-12 month old babies when used in topical products. Monitor for any reactions in older babies.

ℹ️General Overview

For babies aged 6-12 months, Poloxamer 188 is usually low risk when used on the skin in small amounts. It’s a mild cleanser found in some wipes and lotions. But some government reviews note possible health and environmental concerns and there are gaps in safety data, so we should be careful.

What to Do

If you use products with Poloxamer 188 on a 6-12 month old baby: use them sparingly, avoid putting them on large areas of the body, don’t use on broken or irritated skin, and don’t use the product every day over long periods. Prefer products made for infants and do a small patch test on the forearm and wait 24 hours to check for any reaction. If you can, choose products that don’t rely heavily on a single ingredient or that are formulated specifically for babies.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin redness, rash, or irritation and stop use if these appear. Be extra cautious because Environment Canada has flagged possible effects on non-reproductive organs and environmental persistence, and the Cosmetic Ingredient Review has noted data gaps — meaning not all safety questions are fully answered. Some product verification standards may restrict this ingredient unless manufacturers can show it is safe for certain uses. If you’re unsure, talk with your pediatrician before frequent or whole-body use.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: A government assessment found this ingredient is “expected to be toxic or harmful” to non-reproductive organs and gave it a medium human-health priority. That means repeated or high exposures could harm organs such as the liver or kidneys.
Builds Up: A regulatory review flagged the ingredient as persistent and potentially bioaccumulative with moderate toxicity concern. This means the chemical can stay in the body or environment and build up over time.
Environmental: The same government review listed this substance as a suspected environmental toxin, indicating it may harm aquatic life or other wildlife if released into the environment.
Long-Term Risk: Industry reviewers note data gaps and that safety assessments relied on related chemicals and on reported use levels rather than full data. Paired with persistence and organ-toxicity flags from regulators, this raises concern for possible health effects after long-term or repeated use.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Poloxamer 188

This ingredient may also be listed as:

poloxamer 188UNII-68T8I45V23CHEBI:3202652901V8XARJP0CK963E0.ALPHA.-HYDRO-.OMEGA.-HYDROXYPOLY(OXYETHYLENE)POLY(OXYPROPYLENE)POLY(OXYETHYLENE) BLOCK COPOLYMER199SZS8E2QTVM 37075-H-14001AZW43116LMST-188

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

Common Questions About Poloxamer 188

Can older babies safely use Poloxamer 188?

Yes, Poloxamer 188 is generally considered safe for 6-12 month old babies based on current research.

What are the organ risk risks of Poloxamer 188 for older babies?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the builds up risks of Poloxamer 188 for older babies?

Builds up in the body over time with repeated use. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the environmental risks of Poloxamer 188 for older babies?

Possible negative effects on the environment This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What are the long-term risk risks of Poloxamer 188 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 Poloxamer 188?

Poloxamer 188 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 Poloxamer 188?

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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