Is Poloxamer 238 safe in cosmetics?
Poloxamer 238 has a safety rating of "GOOD" in our database. EU status: permitted. US status: permitted.
GOOD
Cosmetic Ingredient
Poloxamer 238
Also known as: 2-Methyl-oxirane polymer with oxirane, 1,2-Ethanediol, polymer with 1,2-propanediol, Ethylene glycol polyethylene-polypropylene glycol ether (1:2), Proxanol Tsl-3, Polyoxyethylene-oxy-propylene (+13 more)
INCI: POLOXAMER 238
Poloxamer 238 (CAS 9003-11-6) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as Surfactant, emulsifying agent, cleansing agent, solubilizing agent. EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: permitted. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in food safety data.
Function
Surfactant, emulsifying agent, cleansing agent, solubilizing agent
Editorial assessment
GOOD
Preliminary editorial note — not a computed safety verdict.
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
permitted
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
FDA reported; CIR: safe as used (2008); 4 product uses (bath, body/hand, foot products)
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Poloxamer 238.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Anti-streaking agent
Binder
Cleaning agent
Defoamer
Dispersing agent
Drier
Emulsifier
Filler
Humectant
Lubricating agent
Regulatory List Membership (2)
EPA Safer Chemical Ingredients List (SCIL)
FDA Substances Added to Food (EAFUS)
Editorial summary
Preliminary editorial summary for Poloxamer 238 — not a computed safety verdict. See the sourced toxicological data above.
Regulatory Flags
epa_safer_alternative
fda_food_additive
Known Synonyms
2-Methyl-oxirane polymer with oxirane
1,2-Ethanediol, polymer with 1,2-propanediol
Ethylene glycol polyethylene-polypropylene glycol ether (1:2)
Proxanol Tsl-3
Polyoxyethylene-oxy-propylene
Ethylene oxide, propylene oxide block polymer
UNII-52901V8XAR
UNII-P5QZM4T259
UNII-66UUC8WX0D
UNII-YWJ6837FL1
UNII-68T8I45V23
UNII-B9Y8J911BV
UNII-199SZS8E2Q
UNII-1AZW43116L
UNII-5Z46X21X7I
UNII-ETS9O8IMRZ
UNII-JP0CK963E0
Pluronic F-127
Chemical Function
Surfactant (surface active agent)
Solvent
Regulatory Lists
fracking; water
food_additive; Substances Added to Food (formerly EAFUS) (2/2019)
inert_ingredient; non_food_use; Pesticides
pharmaceutical
active_ingredient; animal_products; Europe; pharmaceutical; residue
SCIL (9/2019)
Canada; pharmaceutical
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
active_ingredient; Pesticides
inert_ingredient; Pesticides
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Cross-Vertical Safety Context
Same-CAS public records found in food safety data.
SOURCE
EFSA / FDA GRAS
food_additives
Food Safety Data
Same-CAS food additive or FDA GRAS records from the core public database.
Food Name
ETHYLENE OXIDE/PROPYLENE OXIDE COPOLYMER
Food Category
thickener
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Poloxamer 238 allowed in the EU?
Poloxamer 238 EU regulatory status: permitted. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Poloxamer 238 do in cosmetics?
Poloxamer 238 functions as: Surfactant, emulsifying agent, cleansing agent, solubilizing agent. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 9003-11-6.
Is Poloxamer 238 used outside cosmetics?
Poloxamer 238 also appears in food safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Compliance Tools
Check Poloxamer 238 compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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