Polybutene

6-12 month old babiesSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Polybutene?

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

ℹ️General Overview

For babies 6–12 months (infants and babies), polybutene is generally considered low-risk, but studies in very young children are limited. The main concern is mild skin or eye irritation and there are some regulatory notes about possible organ effects in other settings.

What to Do

If a product for your 6–12 month old lists polybutene: choose products made for babies when possible, use a small amount, avoid applying it to broken or very red skin, and do a patch test on a small area (inner forearm or leg) and wait 24 hours before wider use. Avoid applying near the mouth and hands frequently mouthed by babies. Stop use and rinse with water if you notice any redness, swelling, blistering, or persistent fussiness after application. Check with your pediatrician if you’re unsure or if the baby has sensitive skin.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for skin redness, stinging, rash, swelling, or eye irritation — these come from reports of limited irritation. Also note that some government agencies have classified possible organ system toxicity in other contexts (Environment Canada, European Chemicals Agency) and industry reviewers recommend limits on how it’s used (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Some product verification programs restrict use of this ingredient unless manufacturers provide extra safety information. Avoid use on broken skin or if the product is not labeled for infants.

Confidence: LOW

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: Environment Canada classifies polybutene as “expected to be toxic or harmful” and a medium human-health priority, and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) lists it as potentially toxic or harmful. Those agency findings mean there is evidence polybutene can cause non-reproductive organ harm with repeated exposure, so regular topical use on a child could raise risk to organs (for example liver, kidneys, or lungs) over time.
Environmental: The European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) flags wildlife and environmental toxicity for polybutene. That indicates the ingredient can harm animals or ecosystems if released into the environment, so it poses a real environmental risk even if it is not seen as strongly bioaccumulative by some reviewers.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polybutene

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polybuteneBUTENE, POLYMER-BOUND, 50-100 MESH, EXTENT OF LABELING: 1.0-2.0 MMOL VINYL PER G LOADING157439-EP2374780A1217186-EP2374780A1186918-EP2374781A1186918-EP2270113A1157439-EP2284163A2186918-EP2374780A1Q2468763186918-EP2272935A1157439-EP2374781A1

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

Products Containing Polybutene

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polybutene or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polybutene

Can older babies safely use Polybutene?

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

What are the organ risk risks of Polybutene 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 environmental risks of Polybutene for older babies?

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

What products contain Polybutene?

Polybutene 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 Polybutene?

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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