COPPERTONE SPECTRA3 SUNSCREEN LOTION, SPF 50
last updated: 06/17/07 brand: Coppertone by Schering-Plough
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55% of sunscreen: SPF greater than 30s have lower concerns
COMPANY POLICIES
Compact for Safe Cosmetics
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Animal Testing Policy |
Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown
| 0 | UVB hazard/exposure score |
| 3 | UVA hazard/exposure score |
| 0 | 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 |
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 Product total |
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| HOMOSALATE (8%) |
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| OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (7.5%) |
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| OCTOCRYLENE (5%) |
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| OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) (5%) |
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| NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (5%) |
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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), 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: Homosalate, Octinoxate, Octocrylene, Oxybenzone, Zinc Oxide. Inactive Ingredients: Water, Isopropyl Laurate, Propylene Glycol, PVP/Eicosene Copolymer, Behenyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Dicocoylethylenediamine PEG-15 Stearate, Glyceryl Stearate Citrate, Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A Palmitate), Tocopherol (Vitamin E), PEG 30 Dipolyhydroxystearate, Diazolidinyl Urea, Xanthan Gum, Triethoxy Caprylysilane, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Disodium EDTA
Directions from packaging: Adults and children 6 months of age and older: Apply liberally to all exposed areas before sun or water exposure. Reapply after 80 minutes of swimming, excessive perspiration, vigorous activity or any time after toweling. Children under 2 years of age should use sunscreen products with a minimum SPF of 4. Children under 6 months of age: Consult a doctor.
Warnings from packaging: Discontinue use if signs of irritation or rash appear. If irritation or rash persists, consult a doctor. Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water. For external use only, not to be swallowed. In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance, or contact a Poison Control Center immediately. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children.
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ingredients
| score | data gap | concerns | |
| NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (Active Ingredient) | 3 | 73% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Occupational hazards |
| METHYLPARABEN | 8 | 65% | 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) | 8 | 54% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes |
| PROPYLENE GLYCOL | 4 | 58% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption |
| PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE | 4 | 76% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |
| SODIUM DICOCOYLETHYLENEDIAMINE PEG-15 STEARATE | 4 | 76% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |
| OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (Active Ingredient) | 4 | 66% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes |
| DIAZOLIDINYL UREA | 6 | 59% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE) |
| HOMOSALATE (Active Ingredient) | 4 | 74% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (SALICYLIC ACID, TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANOL) |
| RETINYL PALMITATE | 5 | 70% | Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes |
| MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE | 4 | 88% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| PROPYLPARABEN | 4 | 82% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| DISODIUM EDTA | 3 | 78% | Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption |
| OCTOCRYLENE (Active Ingredient) | 3 | 71% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Biochemical or cellular level changes |
| TOCOPHEROL | 2 | 87% | Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE) |
| ISOPROPYL LAURATE | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE GLYCERYL STEARATE | 1 | 88% | none identified |
| GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE | 1 | 75% | none identified |
| TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE TRIETHOXY CAPRYLYSILANE | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE | 0 | 99% | none identified |
| VP/ EICOSENE COPOLYMER | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| XANTHAN GUM | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| BEHENYL ALCOHOL | 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 | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| 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 | TOCOPHEROL, PROPYLPARABEN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, METHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA | |
| Cancer - limited evidence | RETINYL PALMITATE |
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, | |
| 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 | PROPYLENE GLYCOL | |
| Limited evidence of developmental toxicity | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at low doses | RETINYL PALMITATE, | |
| One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses | PROPYLPARABEN | |
| Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence | MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE |
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 | SODIUM DICOCOYLETHYLENEDIAMINE PEG-15 STEARATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA | |
| 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 - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | RETINYL PALMITATE, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), OCTOCRYLENE, HOMOSALATE, 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 | RETINYL PALMITATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), DIAZOLIDINYL UREA | |
| 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 low doses | DISODIUM EDTA | |
| Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity | MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE |
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 | PROPYLENE GLYCOL, DISODIUM EDTA, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA | |
| One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), HOMOSALATE, METHYLPARABEN | |
| 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) |
| One or more human case studies show possible photoallergic effects | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) | |
| Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity | PROPYLENE GLYCOL | |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN | |
| Possible human photoallergenic toxicant | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| Known human immune system toxicant | DIAZOLIDINYL UREA |
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), OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) | |
| Found to be persistent and bioaccumulative in wildlife | OCTOCRYLENE | |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) |
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) | PROPYLENE GLYCOL, | |
| 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, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA | |
| 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), OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE | |
| Limited evidence of skin toxicity | RETINYL PALMITATE, SODIUM DICOCOYLETHYLENEDIAMINE PEG-15 STEARATE, PROPYLPARABEN, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at low doses | DISODIUM EDTA | |
| Known human any toxicant | METHYLPARABEN |
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 | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), OCTOCRYLENE, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| 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 low doses | METHYLPARABEN | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) | |
| Not likely to be a skin irritant in humans | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE |
| Classified as skin irritant | PROPYLENE GLYCOL |
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 | GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE | |
| Insufficient data to determine safety | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) | |
| Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review | GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE | |
| Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption | GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE | |
| 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 | TOCOPHEROL, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, RETINYL PALMITATE, PROPYLPARABEN, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), METHYLPARABEN, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, BEHENYL ALCOHOL | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | VP/ EICOSENE COPOLYMER, SODIUM DICOCOYLETHYLENEDIAMINE PEG-15 STEARATE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, XANTHAN GUM, ISOPROPYL LAURATE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), OCTOCRYLENE, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, HOMOSALATE | |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | GLYCERYL STEARATE CITRATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE |
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 | 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) |
| One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | PROPYLENE GLYCOL | |
| 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), RETINYL PALMITATE, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), OCTOCRYLENE | |
| Interferes with gene expresion | METHYLPARABEN |
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