Poloxamer 188 is a nonionic block copolymer surfactant used in skincare and cleansing formulations as a mild emulsifier, solubilizer, and cleansing agent. It helps disperse oils and stabilize formulations rather than providing a direct therapeutic skin effect.
| Reported effect | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mild skin irritation | Rare | Occasional transient redness or irritation, generally considered a low-irritant surfactant. |
| Contact allergy / sensitization | Very rare | Allergic contact dermatitis is uncommonly reported in the literature. |
| Eye irritation | Uncommon | Can cause stinging or irritation on direct ocular contact in rinse-off products. |
Frequencies reflect typical cosmetic use reported in the literature, not a guarantee for your skin.
Peer-reviewed papers on this ingredient, via PubMed.