Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunblock, SPF 45 || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

NEUTROGENA ULTRA SHEER DRY-TOUCH SUNBLOCK, SPF 45

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

SCORE

	health hazard
	sun hazard

78%

data gap

PRODUCT USES

sunscreen: SPF greater than 30

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

HIGH	UVB sunburn protection
MEDIUM	UVA protection
MEDIUM	UVA/UVB balance
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
blocking strength

Product total

AVOBENZONE (2%)

HOMOSALATE (15%)

OCTINOXATE (7.5%)

OCTISALATE (5%)

OXYBENZONE (3%)

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
	Restrictions & warnings
	Allergies/immunotoxicity
	Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, 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 2.0%, Homosalate 15.0%, Octinoxate 7.5%, Octisalate 5%, Oxybenzone 3% Inactive Ingredients: Water, Silica, Adipic Acid/Diethylene Glycol/Glycerin Crosspolymer, VP-Hexadecene Copolymer, Dimethicone, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Glycerin, Oat Kernel Extract (Aveena Sativa), Squalane, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, BHT, Cetyl Dimethicone, Bisabolol, Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG 100 Stearate, Polysorbate 60, Tetrasodium EDTA, Butylene Glycol, Trimethylsiloxysilicate, Xanthan Gum, Benzyl Alcohol, Isopropylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Butylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance

Directions from packaging: Apply liberally 15 minutes before sun exposure. For added protection, reapply after swimming, excessive perspiration, towel drying or extended sun exposure.

Warnings from packaging: For external use only. Not to be swallowed. Avoid contact with eyes. Discontinue use if signs of irritation or rash appear. Use on children under 6 months of age only with advice of a physician. Keep this and all drugs out of reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.

User Reviews & Comments

	knowledgeisgood		"To konabish: Amen. I read the same thing and bought 3 tubes. ..."	Read more.
	konabish		"In the July 2007 issue of Consumer Reports this was THE ONLY product (out of 14) in the "Water-Resistance Claim" category to be TOP-RATED for BOTH uva ..."	Read more.

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ingredients

	score	data gap	concerns
OXYBENZONE (Active Ingredient)	8	55%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Restrictions & warnings (meets restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data), Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
FRAGRANCE	8	100%	Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous
SILICA	1	69%	Biochemical or cellular level changes
PEG-100 STEARATE	4	69%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
OCTINOXATE (Active Ingredient)	5	75%	Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
BENZYL ALCOHOL	6	66%	Restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
BUTYLPARABEN	6	65%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Biochemical or cellular level changes
BHT	6	61%	Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes
RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE)	5	70%	Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE	4	81%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
HOMOSALATE (Active Ingredient)	3	74%	Restrictions & warnings (meets restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (SALICYLIC ACID, TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANOL)
OCTISALATE (Active Ingredient)	2	68%	Restrictions & warnings (meets restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data), Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption
PHENOXYETHANOL	4	67%	Restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
ISOBUTYLPARABEN	3	81%	Allergies/immunotoxicity
ISOPROPYLPARABEN	3	81%	Allergies/immunotoxicity
DIMETHICONE	2	74%	Restrictions & warnings
TETRASODIUM EDTA	2	81%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards
GLYCERIN	2	74%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
AVOBENZONE (Active Ingredient)	1	73%	Restrictions & warnings (meets restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data), Contamination concerns (BENZOIC ACID, 4-T-BUTYLBENZOIC ACID, BENZALDEHYDE, P-ANISIC ACID, ACETOPHENONE, DIBENZOYLMETHANE)
SQUALANE	1	93%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE)	1	88%	None Identified
GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE GLYCERYL STEARATE	1	88%	None Identified
POLYSORBATE-60	1	81%	None Identified
BISABOLOL	1	80%	Enhanced skin absorption
BUTYLENE GLYCOL	1	79%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE	1	75%	None Identified
AVENA SATIVA (OAT) KERNEL EXTRACT OAT KERNEL EXTRACT (AVEENA SATIVA)	0	100%	None Identified
HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/ SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER	0	100%	None Identified
TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE	0	100%	None Identified
VP/ HEXADECENE COPOLYMER	0	100%	None Identified
CETYL DIMETHICONE	0	99%	None Identified
ADIPIC ACID/ DIETHYLENE GLYCOL/ GLYCERIN CROSSPOLYMER	0	94%	None Identified
XANTHAN GUM	0	94%	None Identified
WATER	0	0%	Innocuous

Cancer*

*Listed below are cancer concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses		PEG-100 STEARATE, POLYSORBATE-60, GLYCERIN, BHT
One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results		PHENOXYETHANOL, OXYBENZONE, BENZYL ALCOHOL
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), BUTYLPARABEN,
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		AVOBENZONE

Developmental/reproductive toxicity*

*Listed below are developmental/reproductive toxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses		RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), PEG-100 STEARATE, BUTYLPARABEN, OXYBENZONE, POLYSORBATE-60, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BHT, BENZYL ALCOHOL
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		OCTINOXATE
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		GLYCERIN

Restrictions & warnings*

*Listed below are restrictions & warnings concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

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		BENZYL ALCOHOL, PEG-100 STEARATE, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel		DIMETHICONE, BENZYL ALCOHOL
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics		RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE)
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Fragrance subject to restrictions: safe only within recommended use or concentration limitsn)		BENZYL ALCOHOL
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)		PHENOXYETHANOL

Neurotoxicity*

*Listed below are neurotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses		RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), OXYBENZONE, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BHT
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		PHENOXYETHANOL, BUTYLPARABEN, BISABOLOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL
Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity		FRAGRANCE

Endocrine disruption*

*Listed below are endocrine disruption concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
One or more animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses		GLYCERIN, OXYBENZONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BUTYLPARABEN, BHT, BISABOLOL
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption		HOMOSALATE, OCTINOXATE
One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at high doses		ISOPROPYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at moderate doses		ISOBUTYLPARABEN

Allergies/immunotoxicity*

*Listed below are allergies/immunotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Associated with immunotoxicity		AVOBENZONE
Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity		PHENOXYETHANOL, OXYBENZONE
One or more human case studies show possible immune effects		OCTISALATE, OCTINOXATE, ISOBUTYLPARABEN, ISOPROPYLPARABEN
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
One or more human case studies show possible allergenic effects		BENZYL ALCOHOL
Known human immune system toxicant		BHT, FRAGRANCE
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		BUTYLPARABEN

Persistence and bioaccumulation*

*Listed below are persistence and bioaccumulation concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in people		OCTINOXATE, OXYBENZONE

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)*

*Listed below are organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful		BENZYL ALCOHOL
One or more animal studies show metabolic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		SILICA, BUTYLPARABEN,
One or more animal studies show liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		OCTINOXATE
One or more animal studies show metabolic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE), BISABOLOL, OXYBENZONE, ISOBUTYLPARABEN, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), BUTYLENE GLYCOL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, GLYCERIN
One or more animal studies show kidney or renal system effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		PHENOXYETHANOL, PEG-100 STEARATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, POLYSORBATE-60, OCTISALATE, ISOPROPYLPARABEN, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, BHT

Miscellaneous*

*Listed below are miscellaneous concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown		FRAGRANCE

Ecotoxicology*

*Listed below are ecotoxicology concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity		OXYBENZONE, OCTINOXATE

Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)*

*Listed below are irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Not likely to be a skin irritant in humans		OXYBENZONE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses		SQUALANE, PHENOXYETHANOL, BUTYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BISABOLOL
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		PEG-100 STEARATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, OCTISALATE, BHT, BENZYL ALCOHOL

Data gaps*

*Listed below are data gaps concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Safety assessment was based on related chemical		CETYL DIMETHICONE, PEG-100 STEARATE
Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption		DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE
Safety assessment was based on related chemical		ISOBUTYLPARABEN, ISOPROPYLPARABEN
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		TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PEG-100 STEARATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), POLYSORBATE-60, PHENOXYETHANOL, OXYBENZONE, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DIMETHICONE, DIPOTASSIUM GLYCYRRHIZATE, CETYL DIMETHICONE, BUTYLPARABEN, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BISABOLOL, BHT, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE)
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		XANTHAN GUM, HYDROXYETHYL ACRYLATE/ SODIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYL TAURATE COPOLYMER, OCTISALATE, SQUALANE, TRIMETHYLSILOXYSILICATE, VP/ HEXADECENE COPOLYMER, HOMOSALATE, GLYCERIN, FRAGRANCE, AVOBENZONE, AVENA SATIVA (OAT) KERNEL EXTRACT, ADIPIC ACID/ DIETHYLENE GLYCOL/ GLYCERIN CROSSPOLYMER

Occupational hazards*

*Listed below are occupational hazards concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

type of concern	product conditions	ingredient(s)
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		BENZYL ALCOHOL, PHENOXYETHANOL, TETRASODIUM EDTA
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		BHT
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses		GLYCERIN

Biochemical or cellular level changes*

*Listed below are biochemical or cellular level changes concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances.

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 moderate doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		BHT
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		GLYCERIN
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, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), OCTINOXATE
Interferes with gene expresion		BUTYLPARABEN
Does not produces excess reactive oxygen species or other harmful biochemical changes.		OCTISALATE