Polyethylene Glycol

adultsSkin contact product

Check for Different Age (6 available)

Is this safe for adults to use Polyethylene Glycol?

YES - Generally Safe
Danger Score: 2 (Lower is safer)
Quick Answer: Polyethylene Glycol is generally considered safe for adults when used in topical products. Adults generally have higher tolerance.

ℹ️General Overview

For adults, polyethylene glycol (PEG) in creams and lotions is usually safe when used on normal, unbroken skin. Most health concerns are small, but there are important manufacturing-related contamination worries.

What to Do

Use products from trusted brands and keep PEG products off cuts, sores, or irritated skin. If you have sensitive skin, do a small patch test first. If you notice redness, itching, or other irritation, stop using it and talk to your doctor.

⚠️Warnings

Some government and industry reviews have flagged possible effects on body systems and the chance that PEG can be contaminated during manufacturing with ethylene oxide or 1,4‑dioxane. Those contamination concerns come from how the ingredient is made, not from normal use, so prefer products that state good manufacturing practices or testing for impurities. Stop use and seek medical advice if you get skin reactions.

Confidence: MEDIUM

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Safety Risk Labels

This ingredient has the following documented risks:

Organ Risk: The ingredient entry cites a government assessment that classifies this chemical as likely to be toxic or harmful to organ systems (non-reproductive) and as a medium human-health priority. That means repeated topical use could pose risks to organs such as the liver or kidneys.
Cancer: The ingredient data flags high contamination concerns because polyethylene glycol can contain impurities named ethylene oxide and 1,4‑dioxane. Those contaminants are the reason cancer risk is raised by regulators and ingredient reviewers, so their possible presence makes cancer a real concern.
Long-Term Risk: Because the ingredient is noted to carry harmful contamination risk and is assessed for organ toxicity by government reviewers, ongoing or repeated exposure over years could increase chance of long-term health problems.

Tap or hover over labels to see detailed risk information.

Alternative Names for Polyethylene Glycol

This ingredient may also be listed as:

polyethylene glycol27283-EP2287162A127283-EP2281823A227283-EP2287160A127283-EP2284160A127283-EP2292612A227283-EP2308510A127283-EP2308562A227283-EP2305673A127283-EP2287161A1RESIDUAL SOLVENT CLASS 2 - ETHYLENE GLYCOL, UNITED STATES PHARMACOPEIA (USP) REFERENCE STANDARD

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

Products Containing Polyethylene Glycol

This ingredient is found in the following products:

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

Common Questions About Polyethylene Glycol

Is this safe for adults to use Polyethylene Glycol?

Yes, Polyethylene Glycol is generally considered safe for adults based on current research.

What are the organ risk risks of Polyethylene Glycol for adults?

May harm organs like liver, kidneys, or lungs with repeated use.

What are the cancer risks of Polyethylene Glycol for adults?

Connected to cancer risk with long-term or repeated exposure.

What are the long-term risk risks of Polyethylene Glycol for adults?

Linked to long-term health effects after years of use or exposure.

What products contain Polyethylene Glycol?

Polyethylene Glycol is commonly found in skincare products, cosmetics, and topical applications. Always check ingredient labels before use.

When can adults using products with Polyethylene Glycol?

The appropriate age depends on the specific ingredient properties and concentration. This analysis is for adults. Use the age selector above to check other ages.

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