SQUALENE

Hair Conditioning Agent; Skin-Conditioning Agent - Emollient; ANTISTATIC; REFATTING; SKIN CONDITIONING  

SCORE

1

low hazard

 

88%

data gap

(why scores have changed)

Also listed as

(E,E,E,E) -SQUALENE; SPINACEN; SPINACENE; SQUALEN; TRANS-SQUALENE


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 this ingredient -- not the products containing it -- 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.

This ingredient:
noCancer
noDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
noViolations, restrictions & warnings
noAllergies/immunotoxicity
noContamination concerns
noLesser or emerging concerns for this ingredient:
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Data gaps
 
See products containing SQUALENE

About SQUALENE: Squalene is an unsaturated branched chain isoprenoid hydrocarbon found in large quantitiesin shark liver oil.

This ingredient may be derived from animals. From PETA's Caring Consumer: Oil from shark livers, etc. In cosmetics, moisturizers, hair dyes, surface-active agents. Alternatives: vegetable emollients such as olive oil, wheat germ oil, rice bran oil, etc.

SQUALENE has reported used in the following product types: facial moisturizer/treatment (65); anti-aging (54); moisturizer (41); around-eye cream (24); facial cleanser (10); sunscreen: SPF 15-30 (8); body wash/cleanser (7); lip balm (7); concealer (6); sunscreen: moisturizer (5)


Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

type of concern product conditions reference
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)    RTECS®- Japanese Journal of Cancer Research 1985
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Data gaps

type of concern product conditions reference
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product   Cosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
604 studies on toxicity in PubMed see search results ->   PubMed

Ecotoxicology

type of concern product conditions reference
Uncertain environmental toxin and uncertain persistent or bioaccumulative     Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List

Persistence and bioaccumulation

type of concern product conditions reference
Not suspected to be persistent     Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List
show more



Government, industry, academic studies and classifications

government/industry list/academic study appears on list as classification(s)
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsSQUALENE•Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR)
•Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsSQUALENE•Safe as used in cosmetics according to industry panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR)
•Maximum reported "as used" concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in product
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance List2,6,10,14,18,22-TETRACOSAHEXAENE, 2,6,10,15,19,23-HEXAMETHYL-, (ALL-E)-•This chemical was NOT flagged by CEPA for further attention. The chemical was flagged for uncertain aquatic toxicity potential.
RTECS®- Japanese Journal of Cancer Research 1985SQUALENE• broad systemic - Broad systemic toxicity (mouse LD50)

references

government/industry list/academic study reference
Cosmetic Ingredient Review AssessmentsCIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
Environmental Canada Domestic Substance ListEC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
RTECS®- Japanese Journal of Cancer Research 1985RTECS®- Japanese Journal of Cancer Research. (Elsevier Science Pub. BV, POB 211, 1000 AE Amsterdam, Netherlands) V.76- 1985- 76,1021,1985

"RTECS®" is a United States trademark owned and licensed under authority of the U.S. Government, by and through MDL Information Systems, Inc.

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