EWG's Sunscreen Investigation 2009 Donate

OLAY COMPLETE DEFENSE DAILY UV MOISTURIZER, SENSITIVE SKIN, SPF 30

last updated: 03/15/09 brand: Olay by Procter & Gamble

COMPANY POLICIES

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

Animal Testing Policy
This company conducts animal tests.



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Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown

HIGHUVB sunburn protection
MEDIUMUVA protection
HIGHsunscreen stability

*Note that the same active ingredient combination may score differently in two different products depending on the concentration of the ingredients and the mixture of inactive ingredients.


Active ingredient UV
blocking strength

Product total
OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (7.5%) 
NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (6%) 
OCTISALATE (2.5%) 
OCTOCRYLENE (2.5%) 

Note to manufacturers: We have assumed a typical particle size for the mineral(s) in your product based on typical industry use. We welcome specific data from manufacturers if actual particle size is different.


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 in this product -- not the product itself -- 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 in this product are linked to:
noCancer
noDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
yesViolations, restrictions & warnings
yesAllergies/immunotoxicity
yesOther concerns for ingredients used in this product:
Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes


Ingredients from packaging: Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%; Zinc Oxide 6.0%; Octisalate 2.5%; Octocrylene 2.5% ; Inactive Ingredients: Special Blend of: Water; Isohexadecane; Glycerin; Polyacrylamide; C13-14 Isoparaffin; Laureth-7; Cyclopentasiloxane; PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone; Steareth-21; Stearyl Alcohol; Sucrose Polycottonseedate; Niacinamide; Polymethylsilsequioxane; Polyethylene; Behenyl Alcohol; DMDM Hydantoin; Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate; Tocopheryl Acetate; Cetyl Alcohol; Panthenol; Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract; Methylparaben; Benzyl Alcohol; Disodium EDTA; Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice; Steareth-2; Oleth-3 Phosphate; Triethoxycaprylylsilane

Directions from packaging: WarningsFor external use only. Not to be swallowed. Avoid contact with the eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water. Discontinue use if signs of irritation or rash appear. If irritation or rash persists, consult a doctor. Keep out of reach of children.

Warnings from packaging: For external use only. Not to be swallowed. Avoid contact with the eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water. Discontinue use if signs of irritation or rash appear. If irritation or rash persists, consult a doctor. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN.

 

user reviews & comments

  52skidoo "How can this be rated a 2 when it has so many "eths" in it? What about the potential dioxane contamination? Is the data gap that large? I went to b ..." Read more.
  CK "This works great as a daily moisturizer and keeps me from getting burnt while working in the yard or playing with the kids. It's non-greasy and soaks ..." Read more.
  anonymous 34363 "I love how Olay Complete Defense Sensitive Skin wears -- goes on smooth, not greasy, very lightweight. However, I'm confused. There is NO mention o ..." Read more.
Read all 6 reviews.

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ingredients

     score    data gap       concerns
NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
(Active Ingredient)
373%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Occupational hazards
DMDM HYDANTOIN761%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
POLYETHYLENE670%Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
METHYLPARABEN865%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Biochemical or cellular level changes
BENZYL ALCOHOL664%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
PEG/ PPG-18/ 18 DIMETHICONE475%Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE472%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
(Active Ingredient)
466%Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
POLYACRYLAMIDE271%Contamination concerns (ACRYLAMIDE)
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE481%Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
OCTISALATE
(Active Ingredient)
368%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption
LAURETH-73100%Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
OLETH-3 PHOSPHATE394%Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
CYCLOPENTASILOXANE279%Persistence and bioaccumulation
DISODIUM EDTA378%Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption
OCTOCRYLENE
(Active Ingredient)
371%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Biochemical or cellular level changes
PANTHENOL288%Multiple, additive exposure sources
NIACINAMIDE281%Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes
GLYCERIN274%Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
ISOHEXADECANE094%none identified
C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN193%none identified
STEARETH-21189%none identified
STEARETH-2188%none identified
CETYL ALCOHOL187%Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
STEARYL ALCOHOL184%Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT
CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT
176%none identified
ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL
ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE
172%none identified
POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE
POLYMETHYLSILSEQUIOXANE
0100%none identified
TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE0100%none identified
SUCROSE POLYCOTTONSEEDATE0100%none identified
BEHENYL ALCOHOL093%none identified
WATER00%innocuous


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)
One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses   STEARYL ALCOHOL
One or more animal studies show tumor formation at moderate doses   CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results   NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results   TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, NIACINAMIDE, METHYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, BENZYL ALCOHOL
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen   POLYETHYLENE

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 high doses   DISODIUM EDTA, BENZYL ALCOHOL,
One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses   NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses   OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses   GLYCERIN,
One or more animal studies show any effects at moderate doses   ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL

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)
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications   POLYETHYLENE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, PEG/ PPG-18/ 18 DIMETHICONE, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel   BENZYL ALCOHOL
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit)   OCTISALATE, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, DMDM HYDANTOIN, OCTOCRYLENE, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), DMDM HYDANTOIN
Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics   METHYLPARABEN

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)
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses   POLYETHYLENE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, NIACINAMIDE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), GLYCERIN
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses   METHYLPARABEN,
One or more animal studies show any effects at moderate doses   CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses   DISODIUM EDTA
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity   BENZYL ALCOHOL

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 animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses   GLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, BENZYL ALCOHOL
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption   OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), METHYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at moderate doses   NIACINAMIDE,
One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at moderate doses   CYCLOPENTASILOXANE

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)
One or more human case studies show possible photoallergic effects   OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), OCTISALATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL
Human immune system toxicant - moderate evidence   POLYETHYLENE
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence   TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, METHYLPARABEN, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE
Known human immune system toxicant   DMDM HYDANTOIN

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)
Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in people   OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Found to be persistent and bioaccumulative in wildlife   OCTOCRYLENE
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife   NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), CYCLOPENTASILOXANE

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 metabolic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   BENZYL ALCOHOL,
One or more animal studies show liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
One or more animal studies show liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   OCTOCRYLENE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, PANTHENOL
One or more animal studies show liver effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   POLYACRYLAMIDE,
One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   STEARETH-21, STEARETH-2, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, OCTISALATE, DMDM HYDANTOIN, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL,
One or more animal studies show any effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity   PEG/ PPG-18/ 18 DIMETHICONE, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at low doses   DISODIUM EDTA
One or more animal studies show liver effects at very low doses   NIACINAMIDE, GLYCERIN
Possible human immune system toxicant   POLYETHYLENE
Known human any toxicant   METHYLPARABEN

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)
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food   TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, POLYETHYLENE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, PEG/ PPG-18/ 18 DIMETHICONE, NIACINAMIDE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), METHYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, CETYL ALCOHOL, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT, BENZYL ALCOHOL, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available   PANTHENOL

Ecotoxicology*

*This table includes all possible ecotoxicology 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)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity   OCTOCRYLENE, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity   NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)

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)
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at high doses   IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses   NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses   OCTISALATE, METHYLPARABEN, BENZYL ALCOHOL
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses   CETYL ALCOHOL
Human any irritant - strong evidence products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) STEARYL ALCOHOL, POLYETHYLENE, DMDM HYDANTOIN

Data gaps*

*This table includes all possible data gaps 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)
Safety assessment was based on related chemical   STEARETH-2
Insufficient data to determine safety   NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
Safety assessment was based on related chemical   IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE
Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review   POLYETHYLENE, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL
Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption   POLYETHYLENE, POLYACRYLAMIDE
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   STEARETH-2, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, POLYETHYLENE, PEG/ PPG-18/ 18 DIMETHICONE, PANTHENOL, NIACINAMIDE, METHYLPARABEN, DMDM HYDANTOIN, DISODIUM EDTA, CETYL ALCOHOL, BEHENYL ALCOHOL
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel   STEARETH-21, SUCROSE POLYCOTTONSEEDATE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, POLYMETHYLSILSESQUIOXANE, OLETH-3 PHOSPHATE, OCTOCRYLENE, OCTISALATE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), LAURETH-7, ISOHEXADECANE, GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN

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   BENZYL ALCOHOL
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses   GLYCERIN
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses   NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)

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)
Does not produces excess reactive oxygen species or other harmful biochemical changes.   OCTISALATE
Interferes with gene expresion   METHYLPARABEN
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.   OCTOCRYLENE, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood   POLYETHYLENE, POLYACRYLAMIDE, GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood   NIACINAMIDE

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