EWG's Sunscreen Investigation 2009 Donate

AVEENO BABY CONTINUOUS PROTECTION SUNBLOCK LOTION, SPF 55

last updated: 10/01/09 brand: Aveeno by Johnson & Johnson

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

HIGHESTUVB 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
AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE) (3%) 
HOMOSALATE (10%) 
OCTISALATE (5%) 
OCTOCRYLENE (2.8%) 
OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) (6%) 

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
yesDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
yesViolations, restrictions & warnings
yesAllergies/immunotoxicity
yesOther 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


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: Avobenzone, Homosalate, Octisalate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone. Inactive Ingredients: Avena Sativa (oat) Kernel Flour, Behenyl Alcohol, BHT, Butyloctyl Salicylate, Caprylyl Methicone, Diethylhexyl 2,6 Naphthalate, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexyl Stearate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ethylparaben, Glyceryl Stearate, Methylparaben, PEG 100 Stearate, Phenyxyethanol, Propylparaben, Silica, Sodium Polyacrylate, Styrene Acrylate Copolymer, Trideceth 6, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Water, Xanthan Gum

Directions from packaging: Apply generously and evenly before sun exposure and as needed. Reapply as needed or after towel drying, swimming, sweating or perspiring. Children under 6 months of age: ask a doctor.

Warnings from packaging: For external use only. When using this product do not get into eyes. When using this product, keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove. Stop use and ask doctor if rash or irritation develops and lasts. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Sun Alert: Limiting sun exposure, wearing protective clothing, and using sunscreens may reduce the risk of skin aging, skin cancer, and other harmful effects of the sun.

 

user reviews & comments

  Shotlander "It's hard to rate this one using one catch-all rating. As far as effectiveness is concerned: it works, so I'd give it a 5. When it comes to the sun, I ..." Read more.

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ingredients

     score    data gap       concerns
BHT761%Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes
METHYLPARABEN865%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Biochemical or cellular level changes
OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
(Active Ingredient)
854%Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
SILICA172%Biochemical or cellular level changes
PEG-100 STEARATE568%Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
HOMOSALATE
(Active Ingredient)
474%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (SALICYLIC ACID, TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANOL)
PROPYLPARABEN482%Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
SODIUM POLYACRYLATE473%Multiple, additive exposure sources, Contamination concerns (METHACRYLIC ACID, ACRYLIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ACRYLATE)
OCTISALATE
(Active Ingredient)
368%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption
PHENOXYETHANOL466%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
ETHYLPARABEN380%Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
DISODIUM EDTA378%Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption
STYRENE/ ACRYLATES COPOLYMER
STYRENE ACRYLATE COPOLYMER
375%Contamination concerns (METHACRYLIC ACID, ACRYLIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ACRYLATE)
DIMETHICONE274%Violations, restrictions & warnings
OCTOCRYLENE
(Active Ingredient)
371%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Biochemical or cellular level changes
AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)
(Active Ingredient)
273%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Contamination concerns (BENZOIC ACID, 4-T-BUTYLBENZOIC ACID, BENZALDEHYDE, P-ANISIC ACID, ACETOPHENONE, DIBENZOYLMETHANE)
DIETHYLHEXYL 2,6-NAPHTHALATE196%Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN190%Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
GLYCERYL STEARATE
188%none identified
TRIDECETH-6188%none identified
ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE187%Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
BUTYLOCTYL SALICYLATE176%none identified
CAPRYLYL METHICONE0100%none identified
TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE0100%none identified
VP/ HEXADECENE COPOLYMER0100%none identified
AVENA SATIVA (OAT) KERNEL FLOUR094%none identified
XANTHAN GUM094%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 in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results   PHENOXYETHANOL, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more animal studies show tumor formation at moderate doses   PEG-100 STEARATE
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results   PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA,
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results   AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen   BHT

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   PEG-100 STEARATE, BHT, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLPARABEN
Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity   DIETHYLHEXYL 2,6-NAPHTHALATE, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses   PROPYLPARABEN

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   PEG-100 STEARATE, STYRENE/ ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, BUTYLOCTYL SALICYLATE
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel   GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications   SODIUM POLYACRYLATE
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 some types of cosmetics (concentration limit)   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), OCTISALATE, PHENOXYETHANOL, OCTOCRYLENE, HOMOSALATE
Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics   METHYLPARABEN
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)   AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)

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 low doses   BHT, DISODIUM EDTA
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses   METHYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses   PHENOXYETHANOL

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   PEG-100 STEARATE
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption   HOMOSALATE, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses   DISODIUM EDTA, PHENOXYETHANOL
Limited evidence of any disruption   PROPYLPARABEN, DIETHYLHEXYL 2,6-NAPHTHALATE
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption   ETHYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN
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)
Associated with immunotoxicity   AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)
Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity   PHENOXYETHANOL
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence   METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN
One or more human case studies show possible immune effects   OCTISALATE
Known human immune system toxicant   BHT
Possible human photoallergenic toxicant   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence   ETHYLPARABEN

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   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
Found to be persistent and bioaccumulative in wildlife   OCTOCRYLENE

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 broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   OCTISALATE,
One or more animal studies show cardiovascular effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more animal studies show metabolic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   SILICA, TRIDECETH-6, OCTOCRYLENE
One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   PHENOXYETHANOL, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity   PEG-100 STEARATE, PROPYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at low doses   DISODIUM EDTA, BHT
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   PEG-100 STEARATE, XANTHAN GUM, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, DIMETHICONE, BHT
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available   SODIUM POLYACRYLATE

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, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity   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)
Not likely to be a skin irritant in humans   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses   TRIDECETH-6
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses   METHYLPARABEN, OCTISALATE, BHT
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses   PEG-100 STEARATE
Human any irritant - strong evidence products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE
Classified as irritant   ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, 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.

type of concern product conditions ingredient(s)
Safety assessment was based on related chemical   PEG-100 STEARATE
Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review   ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE
Safety assessment was based on related chemical   GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption   STYRENE/ ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, SODIUM POLYACRYLATE
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   PROPYLPARABEN, PHENOXYETHANOL, PEG-100 STEARATE, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, DIMETHICONE, BHT
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel   TRIDECETH-6
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   BEHENYL ALCOHOL
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel   XANTHAN GUM, VP/ HEXADECENE COPOLYMER, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, OCTOCRYLENE, OCTISALATE, HOMOSALATE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, DIETHYLHEXYL 2,6-NAPHTHALATE, CAPRYLYL METHICONE, AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE), AVENA SATIVA (OAT) KERNEL FLOUR

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   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 very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood   SILICA
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood   BHT
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), OCTOCRYLENE
Interferes with gene expresion   METHYLPARABEN
Does not produces excess reactive oxygen species or other harmful biochemical changes.   OCTISALATE

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