Polysorbate 80

6-12 month old babiesSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Can older babies use Polysorbate 80?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polysorbate 80 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 6–12 months (infants, older babies): this ingredient is usually safe when it appears at low levels in baby lotions, creams or other skin products. Long‑term health risks are considered low. The thing to watch for is contamination from manufacturing byproducts, which can be avoided by choosing tested products.

What to Do

Use products made for babies and from brands that say they test for manufacturing impurities. Do a small patch test on your baby’s inner arm and wait 24 hours before using more widely. Avoid using on broken or very red skin. Use the smallest amount needed and avoid getting the product in the eyes or mouth. If you notice irritation, stop use and check with your child’s doctor.

⚠️Warnings

Watch for any redness, rash, swelling, fussiness, or breathing trouble after applying a product — stop use and contact your pediatrician if these occur. The main safety warning comes from possible manufacturing contaminants (ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane) noted by industry and regulatory reviews (for example, assessments by industry safety panels and government reviews). Also be aware that some product‑verification programs restrict use of this ingredient unless manufacturers show testing for those impurities; prefer brands that publish test results or say they limit these contaminants.

Confidence: HIGH

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Cancer: This ingredient can be contaminated with ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are flagged by international health agencies as chemicals that can raise cancer risk with repeated exposure, so contamination in the ingredient creates a real cancer concern.
Long-Term Risk: Because the ingredient can contain trace contaminants (ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane) and there are noted data gaps and limits set by the industry safety panel, there is a risk of long-term health effects from repeated use over time.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polysorbate 80

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polysorbate 80polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleateSORBITAN, MONO-9-OCTADECENOATE, POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS.POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS. SORBITAN, MONO-9-OCTADECENOATEMONO-9-OCTADECENOATE POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS. SORBITANSORBITAN, MONO-9-OCTADECENOATE, (Z)-POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS.SORBITAN, MONO-(9Z)-9-OCTADECENOATE, POLY(OXY-1,2-ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS.SORBITAN, MONO9OCTADECENOATE, POLY(OXY1,2ETHANEDIYL) DERIVS., (Z)POLYOXYETHYLENE SORBITAN MONOOLEATE2-[2-[3,4-BIS(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)OXOLAN-2-YL]-2-(2-HYDROXYETHOXY)ETHOXY]ETHYL OCTADEC-9-ENOATE9005-65-6MFCD00082107

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

Products Containing Polysorbate 80

This ingredient is found in the following products:

This list shows products that contain Polysorbate 80 or its alternative names.

Common Questions About Polysorbate 80

Can older babies safely use Polysorbate 80?

Yes, Polysorbate 80 is generally considered safe for 6-12 month old babies based on current research.

What are the cancer risks of Polysorbate 80 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 long-term risk risks of Polysorbate 80 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 Polysorbate 80?

Polysorbate 80 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 Polysorbate 80?

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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