Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Cream, SPF 55 || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

SHISEIDO ULTIMATE SUN PROTECTION CREAM, SPF 55

last updated: 04/03/08 brand: Shiseido by Shiseido Co., Ltd.

SCORE

	health hazard
	sun hazard

82%

data gap

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52% of anti-agings have lower concerns
74% of sunscreen: SPF greater than 30s have lower concerns

COMPANY POLICIES

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

Animal Testing Policy
This company conducts animal tests.

Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown

0	UVB hazard/exposure score
2	UVA hazard/exposure score
1	sunscreen instability

*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) (7.4%)

NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (13.9%)

This product contains the following chemical(s) that may provide UV protection in addition to what is reflected above: NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE. We did not find relevant chemical absorption spectrum in the publicly available technical literature that would allow us to estimate the impacts of these chemicals. Therefore, our rating system may underestimate the effectiveness of this product.

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

Note from EWG: Unlike many other kinds of personal care products, sunscreen can provide health benefits, protecting against the sun's cancer-causing UV radiation. More than one million cases of skin cancer are diagnosed in the U.S. every year. Health officials recommend wearing sunscreen as one of many important steps to minimize skin cancer risk. (more sun safety tips)

Ingredients from packaging: Active Ingredients: Octinoxate 7.4%, Zinc Oxide 13.9%. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Cyclomethicone, Butylene Glycol, Dimethicone, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Dimethicone Copolyol, Polybutylene Glycol/PPG-9/1 Copolymer, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Dextrin Palmitate, Glycerin, Hydrogenated C6-14 Olefin Polymers, Xylitol, Methyl Gluceth-10, Glutathione, Sodium Glutamate, Zinc Myristate, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Thiotaurine, Scutellaria Baicalensis Extract, Ononis Spinosa Root Extract, Ectoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Acrylates/Dimethicone Copolymer, Isostearic Acid, Aluminum Hydroxide, Stearic Acid, Trisodium EDTA, Silica, Alcohol, BHT, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Fragrance, Titanium Dioxide

user reviews & comments

	AMS	"Very surprised it didn't do better. I am very fair skinned (my friends joke that my color isn't white, but clear...) and this is the ONLY sun screen ..."	Read more.
	sophie_lapin	"My face burns with all chemical sunscreens (avobenzone) so those are ruled out. I read good reviews (and still do) of this so I decided to swith to it ..."	Read more.
	anonymous 18879	"I, too, loved this product (it works beautifully) until I started reading more about ingredients on this site. If they took out the fragrance, I thin ..."	Read more.
Read all 4 reviews.

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ingredients

	score	data gap	concerns
NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE	2	87%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes
NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (Active Ingredient)	3	73%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Occupational hazards
FRAGRANCE	8	100%	Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous
METHYLPARABEN	8	65%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Biochemical or cellular level changes
SILICA	1	72%	Biochemical or cellular level changes
BHT	7	61%	Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes
OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (Active Ingredient)	4	66%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
ETHANOL ALCOHOL	5	74%	Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards
ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE	4	86%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
PHENOXYETHANOL	4	66%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
ZINC MYRISTATE	2	82%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation
ETHYLPARABEN	3	80%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
CYCLOPENTASILOXANE	2	79%	Persistence and bioaccumulation
SODIUM GLUTAMATE	3	79%	Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption
DIMETHICONE	2	74%	Violations, restrictions & warnings
STEARIC ACID	2	72%	Neurotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE	1	89%	none identified
CYCLOMETHICONE	1	83%	Persistence and bioaccumulation
GLYCERIN	2	74%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
ISOSTEARIC ACID	0	93%	none identified
XYLITOL	1	88%	none identified
TRISODIUM EDTA	1	86%	Enhanced skin absorption
GLUTATHIONE	1	83%	none identified
BUTYLENE GLYCOL	1	79%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE	1	75%	none identified
ACRYLATES/ DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER	0	100%	none identified
DEXTRIN PALMITATE	0	100%	none identified
DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE	0	100%	none identified
ECTOIN	0	100%	none identified
ONONIS SPINOSA (SPINY REST HARROW) ROOT EXTRACT ONONIS SPINOSA ROOT EXTRACT	0	100%	none identified
TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE	0	100%	none identified
HYDROGENATED C6-14 OLEFIN POLYMERS	0	100%	none identified
POLYBUTYLENE GLYCOL/PPG-9/1 COPOLYMER	0	100%	none identified
THIOTAURINE	0	100%	none identified
SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS EXTRACT	0	100%	none identified
METHYL GLUCETH-10	0	94%	none identified
WATER	0	0%	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 in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results		PHENOXYETHANOL, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), ETHYLPARABEN
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 TITANIUM DIOXIDE, STEARIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, GLUTATHIONE, ETHANOL, BHT
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen		POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE

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		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses		GLYCERIN, GLUTATHIONE, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BHT,
One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses		SODIUM GLUTAMATE
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence		ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE
Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity		ETHANOL

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 - Restrictions on impurities recommended by industry safety panel		DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel		DIMETHICONE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)		PHENOXYETHANOL, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
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		XYLITOL
nervous system - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study		ETHANOL
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses		SODIUM GLUTAMATE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		PHENOXYETHANOL
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses		ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE
One or more animal studies show any effects at moderate doses		CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		BHT, METHYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at very low doses		STEARIC ACID
Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity		FRAGRANCE

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)
Associated with endocrine disruption		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
One or more animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses		BUTYLENE GLYCOL, GLYCERIN, STEARIC ACID, SODIUM GLUTAMATE, PHENOXYETHANOL
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption		METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at moderate doses		CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
One or more studies show endocrine system disruption at low doses		BHT

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)
respiratory - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study		NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE
Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity		PHENOXYETHANOL
One or more human case studies show possible photoallergic effects		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Limited evidence of immune system toxicity		ZINC MYRISTATE
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN
Known human immune system toxicant		BHT, FRAGRANCE

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)
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative		ETHANOL
Found to be persistent and bioaccumulative in wildlife		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife		CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ZINC MYRISTATE, CYCLOMETHICONE

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)
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful		ETHANOL
One or more animal studies show musculoskeletal effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, SILICA,
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)		CYCLOMETHICONE, GLYCERIN, SODIUM GLUTAMATE, XYLITOL, BHT, TRISODIUM EDTA, STEARIC ACID, GLUTATHIONE, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL
One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		PHENOXYETHANOL,
One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		ZINC MYRISTATE
One or more animal studies show cardiovascular effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		METHYLPARABEN, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
One or more animal studies show cardiovascular effects at very low doses		NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE

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)
Occupational hazards related to handling		ETHANOL
Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown		FRAGRANCE

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		NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, XYLITOL, STEARIC ACID, SODIUM GLUTAMATE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), METHYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, ETHANOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIMETHICONE, BHT, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available		ETHANOL

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)
Not suspected to be an environmental toxin		ETHANOL
Wildlife and environmental toxicity		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity		NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE
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		METHYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses		NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, PHENOXYETHANOL, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ETHANOL, CYCLOMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		BHT, STEARIC ACID

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)
Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review		ISOSTEARIC ACID
Insufficient data to determine safety		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption		DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE
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		TRISODIUM EDTA, STEARIC ACID, METHYLPARABEN, ISOSTEARIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL, ETHYLPARABEN, DIMETHICONE, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, CYCLOMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BHT
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, SCUTELLARIA BAICALENSIS EXTRACT, THIOTAURINE, POLYBUTYLENE GLYCOL/PPG-9/1 COPOLYMER, HYDROGENATED C6-14 OLEFIN POLYMERS, ZINC MYRISTATE, XYLITOL, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, SODIUM GLUTAMATE, POLYMETHYL METHACRYLATE, ONONIS SPINOSA (SPINY REST HARROW) ROOT EXTRACT, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), METHYL GLUCETH-10, GLYCERIN, GLUTATHIONE, FRAGRANCE, ETHANOL, ECTOIN, DISTEARDIMONIUM HECTORITE, DEXTRIN PALMITATE, ALUMINUM HYDROXIDE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ACRYLATES/ DIMETHICONE COPOLYMER

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 high doses		ETHANOL
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses		NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, GLYCERIN
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm),
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		PHENOXYETHANOL
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		BHT

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 moderate doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		SODIUM GLUTAMATE, BHT
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		SILICA
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		CYCLOMETHICONE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, ETHANOL, GLUTATHIONE, GLYCERIN, XYLITOL
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.		NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Interferes with gene expresion		METHYLPARABEN

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