SKINCEUTICALS PHYSICAL UV DEFENSE, SPF 30
last updated: 10/01/09 brand: SkinCeuticals by L'Oréal
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Compact for Safe Cosmetics
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Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown
| HIGH | UVB sunburn protection |
| MEDIUM | UVA protection |
| HIGH | sunscreen 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 |
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 Product total |
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| NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (5%) |
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| NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE (10%) |
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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), 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 ZINC OXIDE 5%, TITANIUM DIOXIDE 10% INACTIVE INGREDIENTS WATER, C12 - 15 ALKYL BENZOATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BIS-PEG/PPG-16/PEG/PPG-16/16 DIMETHICONE, ALUMINUM STEARATE, GLYCERIN, POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID, GLYCERYL STEARATE, CETEARETH-20, GREEN TEA EXTRACT, APPLE EXTRACT, CITRUS EXTRACT, SUGAR CANE EXTRACT, ALUMINA, PVP, EICOSENE COPOLYMER, POLYSORBATE-20, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, DIBENZOATE, DIMETHICONE, ZANTHAN GUM, CETYL DIMETHICONE, CARBOMER, PPG-15, STEARYL ETHER BENZOATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, PROPYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN.
Directions from packaging: Apply daily to face, neck and chest, or apply liberally before sun exposure. Use before applying makeup. Reapply every two hours and after swimming, excessive perspiring, or after towel drying. For children under 6 months of age, consult a doctor.
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ingredients
| score | data gap | concerns | |
| NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE (Active Ingredient) | 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 |
| CETEARETH-20 | 5 | 71% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |
| ALUMINA | 5 | 85% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards |
| BIS-PEG/ PPG-16/ 16 DIMETHICONE BIS-PEG/PPG-16/PEG/PPG-16/16 DIMETHICONE | 4 | 76% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |
| ALUMINUM STEARATE | 5 | 83% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Occupational hazards |
| BUTYLPARABEN | 5 | 79% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes |
| PROPYLPARABEN | 4 | 82% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| PHENOXYETHANOL | 4 | 66% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards |
| ETHYLPARABEN | 3 | 80% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| CYCLOPENTASILOXANE | 2 | 79% | Persistence and bioaccumulation |
| DIMETHICONE | 2 | 74% | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| GLYCERIN | 2 | 74% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards |
| C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| CAPRYLIC/ CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL DIBENZOATE | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| CETEARYL ALCOHOL | 0 | 93% | none identified |
| GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE GLYCERYL STEARATE | 1 | 88% | none identified |
| DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL | 1 | 85% | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| POLYSORBATE-20 | 1 | 81% | none identified |
| PVP | 1 | 81% | none identified |
| CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) EXTRACT | 1 | 76% | none identified |
| CITRUS EXTRACT | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| PPG-15 STEARYL ETHER BENZOATE | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| PYRUS MALUS (APPLE) FRUIT EXTRACT APPLE EXTRACT | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM (SUGAR CANE) EXTRACT | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| CETYL DIMETHICONE | 0 | 99% | none identified |
| POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| VP/ EICOSENE COPOLYMER | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| XANTHAN GUM ZANTHAN GUM | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| CARBOMER | 0 | 93% | 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 | |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at moderate doses | CYCLOPENTASILOXANE | |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at moderate doses | ALUMINA | |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) | |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | PROPYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN | |
| Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen | PVP |
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 | POLYSORBATE-20, | |
| 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 high doses | ETHYLPARABEN | |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses | GLYCERIN | |
| One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses | PROPYLPARABEN | |
| One or more animal studies show any effects at very low doses | BUTYLPARABEN | |
| Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence | ALUMINUM STEARATE, ALUMINA |
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 | CETEARETH-20, BIS-PEG/ PPG-16/ 16 DIMETHICONE, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) EXTRACT | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel | GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - any | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), PHENOXYETHANOL | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel | DIMETHICONE |
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 | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), GLYCERIN, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL | |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses | PHENOXYETHANOL, CETEARETH-20, | |
| One or more animal studies show any effects at moderate doses | CYCLOPENTASILOXANE | |
| Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity | ALUMINUM STEARATE, ALUMINA |
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 | PVP, POLYSORBATE-20, PHENOXYETHANOL, GLYCERIN | |
| One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption | ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN | |
| One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at moderate doses | CYCLOPENTASILOXANE | |
| Limited evidence of any disruption | PROPYLPARABEN |
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 | |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | PROPYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN |
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 | 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 gastrointestinal effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | POLYSORBATE-20 | |
| 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 | DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE |
| 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), ALUMINA | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | PVP, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE | |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | PROPYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, BIS-PEG/ PPG-16/ 16 DIMETHICONE | |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at low doses | products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips | CETEARETH-20 |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses | products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips | PHENOXYETHANOL |
| One or more animal studies show kidney or renal system effects at very low doses | GLYCERIN, NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE |
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, XANTHAN GUM, PVP, PROPYLPARABEN, POLYSORBATE-20, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, GLYCERIN, DIMETHICONE, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) EXTRACT, BUTYLPARABEN, BIS-PEG/ PPG-16/ 16 DIMETHICONE, ALUMINUM STEARATE | |
| Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available | ALUMINUM STEARATE |
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 | NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE | |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), PROPYLPARABEN |
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 moderate doses | POLYSORBATE-20, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, BUTYLPARABEN | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | CETEARETH-20, | |
| One or more animal studies show significant but moderate pulmonary irritation at low doses | NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE | |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DIPROPYLENE GLYCOL |
| Classified as irritant | PHENOXYETHANOL |
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.
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 moderate doses | GLYCERIN, ALUMINA | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), ALUMINUM STEARATE, | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | PHENOXYETHANOL, NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE |
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) |
| Interferes with gene expresion | BUTYLPARABEN | |
| One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE | |
| One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE |
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