Palmolive || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

BRAND: Palmolive

Manufacturer: Colgate-Palmolive Company

BRAND SUMMARY

product score range	4	to	6
product count	6 (browse)
ingredient count	46
(why scores have changed)

COMPANY POLICIES

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
Non-signer: This company has not signed the Compact.

Animal Testing Policy
This company conducts animal tests.

Given the incomplete information made available by companies and the government, EWG provides additional information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature. The chart below indicates that research studies have found that exposure to one or more ingredients used by this brand -- not the products -- caused the indicated health effect(s) in the studies reviewed by Skin Deep researchers. Actual health risks, if any, will vary based on the level of exposure to the ingredient and individual susceptibility -- information not available in Skin Deep.

Ingredients used by this brand:
	Cancer
	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
	Violations, restrictions & warnings
	Allergies/immunotoxicity
	Other concerns for ingredients used by this brand: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes

See all 6 products by Palmolive

Product type(s) by this brand in Skin Deep: bar soap (1), liquid hand soap (2), moisturizer (1), shaving cream (2), shaving cream (men's) (1)

ingredients

	score	data gap	products *	concerns
DMDM HYDANTOIN	7	61%	1 products	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
FRAGRANCE	8	100%	6 products	Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous
TRICLOSAN	7	67%	2 products	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (CHLOROFORM, DIOXIN)
PROPYLENE GLYCOL	4	58%	2 products	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption
SODIUM BORATE	6	51%	2 products	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Occupational hazards
QUATERNIUM-15	6	65%	1 products	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
TRIETHANOLAMINE	6	58%	1 products	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES), Occupational hazards
MINERAL OIL	1	73%	1 products	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
D&C ORANGE 4	2	70%	2 products	Developmental/reproductive toxicity
AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE	4	87%	1 products	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)	1	82%	2 products	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes
SD ALCOHOL 3A	4	77%	2 products	Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption
D&C YELLOW 8	1	69%	1 products	none identified
MALEIC ACID	4	63%	1 products	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE	2	82%	2 products	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
SODIUM HYDROXIDE	3	77%	1 products	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
SODIUM BISULFITE	3	75%	2 products	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
D&C YELLOW 10	3	73%	1 products	Violations, restrictions & warnings
SODIUM SILICATE	3	72%	1 products	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
STEARIC ACID	2	72%	2 products	Neurotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE	2	80%	1 products	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
GLYCERIN	2	74%	3 products	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) JUICE	1	100%	1 products	Multiple, additive exposure sources
CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) JUICE	1	100%	1 products	Multiple, additive exposure sources
HYDROGENATED TALLOW ACID	0	94%	1 products	none identified
SODIUM TALLOWATE	0	94%	2 products	none identified
MAGNESIUM	1	90%	2 products	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL	1	89%	1 products	none identified
KI203	1	89%	1 products	none identified
OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL	1	88%	1 products	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
SOAP	1	88%	1 products	none identified
SODIUM XYLENE SULFONATE	1	88%	2 products	none identified
D&C GREEN 5	1	86%	1 products	none identified
TETRADIBUTYL PENTAERITHRITYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE	1	86%	1 products	Persistence and bioaccumulation
PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE	1	86%	1 products	Persistence and bioaccumulation
FD&C RED 40	1	84%	1 products	none identified
MIDORI201	1	83%	1 products	none identified
PENTASODIUM PENTETATE	1	74%	4 products	none identified
LAURYL POLYGLUCOSE	0	100%	1 products	none identified
SODIUM PALM KERNELATE	0	100%	2 products	none identified
AMMONIUM C12-15 PARETH SULFATE	0	100%	1 products	none identified
SODIUM COCOATE	0	94%	2 products	none identified
LAURAMIDOPROPYLAMINE OXIDE	0	94%	2 products	none identified
COCONUT ACID	0	93%	1 products	none identified
SODIUM CHLORIDE	0	0%	4 products	innocuous
WATER	0	0%	6 products	innocuous

* Product counts only include current formulations sold by this brand. The brand may have other discontinued formulations that use this ingredient. Clicking on the link "X products" will identify all product formulations by this brand that have used the ingredient.

Cancer*

*This table includes all possible cancer concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Cancer - limited evidence		SD ALCOHOL 3A
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		D&C ORANGE 4, D&C YELLOW 8, FD&C RED 40, GLYCERIN, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, STEARIC ACID, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), TRIETHANOLAMINE, MALEIC ACID
One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results		QUATERNIUM-15, SODIUM BORATE, TRICLOSAN, SODIUM BISULFITE
One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses		MINERAL OIL
One or more in vitro tests on cells show inconclusive, but potentially positive mutation results		OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL

Developmental/reproductive toxicity*

*This table includes all possible developmental/reproductive toxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at low doses		D&C ORANGE 4
Limited evidence of developmental toxicity		SD ALCOHOL 3A
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		PROPYLENE GLYCOL
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses		D&C YELLOW 8, FD&C RED 40, GLYCERIN, QUATERNIUM-15, SOAP, SODIUM BORATE, TRICLOSAN

Violations, restrictions & warnings*

*This table includes all possible violations, restrictions & warnings concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Color additive approved by FDA for use in cosmetics: external use only	products for use around the mouth, lips, eyes, or on damaged skin	D&C ORANGE 4, D&C YELLOW 8
Violation of government restrictions - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Color additive not approved by FDA for cosmetics used around eyes	products for use around the eyes	D&C YELLOW 10
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Not safe for use in products intended to be aerosolized, according to industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR)	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	DMDM HYDANTOIN
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Not safe for use on infant skin	products for use on infant skin	SODIUM BORATE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit)		DMDM HYDANTOIN, SODIUM BORATE, TRICLOSAN
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Safe for use as a pH adjuster, insufficient data to support safety of other uses, according to industry safety panel		MALEIC ACID
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Determined safe for use when formulated to avoid irritation, in assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR)	products for use on damaged skin or infants	PENTASODIUM PENTETATE
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications		PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM BORATE, SODIUM SILICATE, TRIETHANOLAMINE

Neurotoxicity*

*This table includes all possible neurotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity		FRAGRANCE
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at very low doses		SODIUM HYDROXIDE, STEARIC ACID
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE, MALEIC ACID, SODIUM BISULFITE
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses		D&C YELLOW 8, GLYCERIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, QUATERNIUM-15, SODIUM BORATE
nervous system - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study		SD ALCOHOL 3A

Endocrine disruption*

*This table includes all possible endocrine disruption concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more studies show endocrine disruption at very low doses		TRICLOSAN
One or more animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses		D&C GREEN 5, GLYCERIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, QUATERNIUM-15, SODIUM BORATE, SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE, STEARIC ACID, TRIETHANOLAMINE, MIDORI201

Allergies/immunotoxicity*

*This table includes all possible allergies/immunotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Known human immune system toxicant		FRAGRANCE, QUATERNIUM-15, TRIETHANOLAMINE
Possible human immune system toxicant	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	MINERAL OIL
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		DMDM HYDANTOIN, SODIUM SILICATE
Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity		PROPYLENE GLYCOL
One or more animal studies show immune effects at low doses		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)

Persistence and bioaccumulation*

*This table includes all possible persistence and bioaccumulation concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife		TETRADIBUTYL PENTAERITHRITYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, TRICLOSAN, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE
Not suspected to be persistent		AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE, D&C YELLOW 10, DMDM HYDANTOIN, FD&C RED 40, GLYCERIN, SOAP, STEARIC ACID, KI203, MALEIC ACID
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative		COCONUT ACID, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, D&C GREEN 5, D&C ORANGE 4, D&C YELLOW 8, HYDROGENATED TALLOW ACID, MAGNESIUM, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL, PENTASODIUM PENTETATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM COCOATE, SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE, SODIUM TALLOWATE, SODIUM XYLENE SULFONATE, WATER, LAURAMIDOPROPYLAMINE OXIDE, MIDORI201
Persistent or bioaccumulative and moderate to high toxicity concern in humans		MINERAL OIL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)*

*This table includes all possible organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at very low doses	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	STEARIC ACID
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses	products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips	MALEIC ACID
One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at low doses	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	SODIUM BISULFITE
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at low doses	products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips	MINERAL OIL, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM CHLORIDE
Limited evidence of gastrointestinal or liver toxicity		SD ALCOHOL 3A
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		D&C YELLOW 8, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL, SODIUM BORATE,
One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		QUATERNIUM-15
One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE,
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)	products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips	SODIUM HYDROXIDE, TRIETHANOLAMINE
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		TETRADIBUTYL PENTAERITHRITYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, TRICLOSAN, KI203, MIDORI201, PENTAERYTHRITYL TETRA-DI-T-BUTYL HYDROXYHYDROCINNAMATE, DMDM HYDANTOIN, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), GLYCERIN, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, D&C ORANGE 4, SODIUM XYLENE SULFONATE,
One or more animal studies show respiratory effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)	products that may be aerosolized (airborne)	MAGNESIUM, PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful		SODIUM SILICATE
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful		AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE, D&C GREEN 5, D&C YELLOW 10, FD&C RED 40, HYDROGENATED TALLOW ACID, PENTASODIUM PENTETATE, SOAP, LAURAMIDOPROPYLAMINE OXIDE
Classified as a low human health priority		COCONUT ACID, SODIUM COCOATE, SODIUM TALLOWATE, WATER

Miscellaneous*

*This table includes all possible miscellaneous concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown		FRAGRANCE
Prohibited for use in food		SODIUM BORATE
Occupational hazards related to handling		POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SD ALCOHOL 3A, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM BISULFITE

Multiple, additive exposure sources*

*This table includes all possible multiple, additive exposure sources concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available		SD ALCOHOL 3A, SODIUM BORATE, SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE, CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) JUICE, CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) JUICE
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food		COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, FD&C RED 40, GLYCERIN, LAURYL POLYGLUCOSE, MINERAL OIL, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM CHLORIDE, SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM SILICATE, SODIUM XYLENE SULFONATE, STEARIC ACID, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), TRIETHANOLAMINE, SODIUM BISULFITE

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)*

*This table includes all possible irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Human any irritant - strong evidence	products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne)	AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses		POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM SILICATE, TRIETHANOLAMINE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		DMDM HYDANTOIN, OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM DODECYLBENZENESULFONATE, STEARIC ACID
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses		D&C GREEN 5, GLYCERIN, MINERAL OIL, QUATERNIUM-15, SODIUM CHLORIDE, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), TRICLOSAN, MALEIC ACID, MIDORI201
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at high doses		SODIUM XYLENE SULFONATE, SODIUM BISULFITE

Occupational hazards*

*This table includes all possible occupational hazards concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, MALEIC ACID
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		SODIUM BORATE
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses		GLYCERIN, MINERAL OIL, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), TRIETHANOLAMINE
No workplace limits set		SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Strong evidence of occupational hazards		SODIUM BISULFITE

Biochemical or cellular level changes*

*This table includes all possible biochemical or cellular level changes concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer. Some categorizations depend on how the product is used or formulated.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		D&C GREEN 5, D&C ORANGE 4, GLYCERIN, MAGNESIUM, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, MIDORI201, SODIUM BISULFITE
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)