Polyethylene

6-12 month old babiesSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Polyethylene?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 3 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polyethylene 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 infants (6–12 months): overall low concern for long‑term harm, but it can irritate sensitive baby skin, eyes or breathing in some people. It is not commonly linked to serious health effects, but irritation is the main worry.

What to Do

Use products made for babies and avoid items that list polyethylene as an exfoliating bead or in spray forms. If you try a product with polyethylene, do a small patch test on your baby’s inner arm and wait 24 hours. Don’t put products with this ingredient on broken, red, or inflamed skin. If your baby has eczema or very sensitive skin, choose formulas that avoid this ingredient altogether.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for redness, increased rash, swelling, fussiness, or breathing changes — stop use and rinse the area if you see these. The irritation concern comes from industry safety reviews that report human evidence of irritation (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). Some government reviews note low general toxicity but also flag limited safety data for certain uses (Cosmetic Ingredient Review; Environment Canada; FDA notes restricted uses for some food-contact applications). Also note that some product verification programs restrict this ingredient unless manufacturers provide safety data.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Irritant: People have shown skin, eye, or lung irritation from polyethylene. A cosmetic industry safety review reports strong human evidence that it can irritate, and product safety notes list moderate irritation for skin, eyes, or lungs. For babies with very sensitive skin this could cause redness, itching, or rashes.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polyethylene

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polyethyleneDEUTEROETHYLENEETHENE-D (9CI)2680-00-4(1-2H)ETHENEDEUTERIOETHENEETHYLENE-D1, 98 ATOM % DDTXSID20181305ETHENE-DETHYLENE-D1CH2=CHD

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

Products Containing Polyethylene

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Common Questions About Polyethylene

Can older babies safely use Polyethylene?

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

What are the irritant risks of Polyethylene for older babies?

Can cause skin redness, itchiness, or rashes—especially on sensitive baby skin. This is especially important for babies whose skin and systems are still developing.

What products contain Polyethylene?

Polyethylene 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 Polyethylene?

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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