CVS Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide, SPF 45+ (2007 formulation) || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

CVS SUNSCREEN WITH ZINC OXIDE, SPF 45+ (2007 FORMULATION)

last updated: 08/15/07 brand: CVS by CVS Corporation

SCORE

	health hazard
	sun hazard

71%

data gap

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22% 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's animal testing policy is unknown.

Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown

0	UVB hazard/exposure score
2	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
blocking strength

Product total

OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (7.5%)

OCTOCRYLENE (8%)

NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (6.86%)

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: Octinoxate 7.5%; Octocrylene 8.0%; Zinc Oxide 6.86% ; Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice; Beeswax; Cetyl Dimethicone; Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone; Cyclomethicone; Diazolidinyl Urea; Dimethicone; Disodium EDTA; Ethylhexyl Stearate; Hexyl Laurate; Hydrogenated Castor Oil; Methylparaben; Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate; Propylene Glycol; Propylparaben; Sodium Chloride; Tocopheryl Acetate; Water

Warnings from packaging: For external use only. When using this product keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove. Stop use and ask a doctor if rash or irritation develops and lasts. Keep out of the reach of children. If swallowed get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

user reviews & comments

	anonymous 2362	"For the money and the effectiveness you can not buy a better product. And I have tried many water resistant products! Yes, it is thick and somewhat ..."	Read more.
	anonymous 20518	"goes on easily and smoothly. I love the way my skin feels after using it. I am not sure how well it works in extreme sweating situations. My son plays ..."	Read more.
	anonymous 29197	"I think this was rather thick and it takes some effort to apply, but it seems to make an effective barrier that way. It looks milky on the skin right ..."	Read more.
Read all 4 reviews.

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ingredients

	score	data gap	concerns
METHYLPARABEN	10	63%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Biochemical or cellular level changes
NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (Active Ingredient)	3	70%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (Active Ingredient)	6	65%	Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE	4	76%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
DIAZOLIDINYL UREA	6	59%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
PROPYLPARABEN	5	71%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE	4	81%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
PROPYLENE GLYCOL	4	60%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption
DISODIUM EDTA	3	78%	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption
DIMETHICONE	2	74%	Violations, restrictions & warnings
OCTOCRYLENE (Active Ingredient)	3	71%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Biochemical or cellular level changes
CYCLOMETHICONE	2	83%	Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
HEXYL LAURATE	0	94%	none identified
ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE	1	87%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL ;ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE	1	72%	none identified
POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE	0	100%	none identified
CETYL DIMETHICONE	0	99%	none identified
BEESWAX	0	93%	none identified
HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL	0	93%	none identified
SODIUM CHLORIDE	0	0%	innocuous
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 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		PROPYLPARABEN, SODIUM CHLORIDE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, METHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA

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), ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		PROPYLENE GLYCOL
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		ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL, CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, PROPYLENE GLYCOL
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 - any		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), OCTOCRYLENE
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		PROPYLENE GLYCOL, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses		DISODIUM EDTA
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		METHYLPARABEN

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		DISODIUM EDTA, DIAZOLIDINYL UREA
Human any disruptor - strong evidence		PROPYLPARABEN, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), METHYLPARABEN

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		TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN
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		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Found to be persistent and bioaccumulative in wildlife		OCTOCRYLENE
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), 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)
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)		CYCLOMETHICONE, 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)
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity		PROPYLPARABEN, CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE
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		OCTOCRYLENE
Suspected to be an environmental toxin		CYCLOMETHICONE
Wildlife and environmental toxicity		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
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		SODIUM CHLORIDE, CYCLOMETHICONE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
Human any irritant - strong evidence	products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne)	ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		METHYLPARABEN
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		PROPYLENE GLYCOL, CETYL DIMETHICONE
Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review		ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE, ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) GEL
Safety assessment was based on related chemical		HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
Insufficient data to determine safety		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
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, PROPYLPARABEN, ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, METHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, DIMETHICONE, CYCLOMETHICONE, CETYL DIMETHICONE, BEESWAX
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		POLYGLYCERYL-4 ISOSTEARATE, OCTOCRYLENE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), HEXYL LAURATE, CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE

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)
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Interferes with gene expresion		METHYLPARABEN
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.		OCTOCRYLENE
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		CYCLOMETHICONE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL