Vanicream Sunscreen, SPF 35 (2007 formulation) || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

VANICREAM SUNSCREEN, SPF 35 (2007 FORMULATION)

last updated: 08/15/07 brand: Vanicream by Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc.

SCORE

	health hazard
	sun hazard

78%

data gap

BUY ONLINE/BETTER PRODUCTS

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6% 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
4	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

ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm) (8%)

OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (7.5%)

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: 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: Zinc Oxide (Z-Cote HP1) 8%; Octinoxate 7.5% ; Inactive Ingredients: Purified Water; Cyclomethicone; Glycerin; Tridecyl Neopentanoate; Cyclopentasiloxane; Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone; Hydrogenated Castor Oil; Polyethylene; Cyclomethicone (and) Dimethiconol; PEG-30 Dipolyhydroxystearate; Vitamin E; Magnesium Chloride Hexahydrate; Triethoxycaprylylsilane

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 skin rash or irritation develops and lasts. Keep out of reach of children.

user reviews & comments

	fussyskin	"I have had skin problems and allergies for a number of years and tried using products that were "fragrance free" like Neutrogena and Oil of Olay but b ..."	Read more.
	lunchan	"As a sunscreen, the product works well. Vanicream is also made in my hometown, so I like supporting a local company. However, I found the sunscreen ..."	Read more.
	anonymous 13397	"This is the best sunscreen that I have found for my son. It is the only one we've tried that doesn't cause his eczema to flare. And it's widely avai ..."	Read more.
Read all 5 reviews.

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ingredients

	score	data gap	concerns
POLYETHYLENE	6	69%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (Active Ingredient)	6	65%	Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm) ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE HP1) (Active Ingredient)	3	74%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE	4	76%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE	4	76%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
CYCLOPENTASILOXANE	2	79%	Persistence and bioaccumulation
TOCOPHEROL VITAMIN E	2	87%	Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
CYCLOMETHICONE	2	83%	Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
GLYCERIN	2	74%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
DIMETHICONOL	0	100%	none identified
TRIDECYL NEOPENTANOATE	0	100%	none identified
TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE	0	100%	none identified
MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE HEXAHYDRATE	0	100%	none identified
HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL	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 animal studies show tumor formation at moderate doses		CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm)
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		TOCOPHEROL, GLYCERIN
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen		POLYETHYLENE

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 moderate doses		GLYCERIN,
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses		ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm)

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		POLYETHYLENE, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - any		ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm)

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		POLYETHYLENE, ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm)
One or more animal studies show any effects at moderate doses		CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses		GLYCERIN

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		GLYCERIN
One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at moderate doses		CYCLOPENTASILOXANE
Human any disruptor - strong evidence		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)

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)
Human immune system toxicant - moderate evidence		POLYETHYLENE

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)
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife		ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm), CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, 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 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)		CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CYCLOMETHICONE
One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm)
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity		PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE
One or more animal studies show kidney or renal system effects at very low doses		GLYCERIN
Possible human immune system toxicant		POLYETHYLENE

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)
Suspected to be an environmental toxin		CYCLOMETHICONE
Wildlife and environmental toxicity		OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE)
Wildlife and environmental toxicity		ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm)

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		ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm), GLYCERIN, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, CYCLOMETHICONE
Human any irritant - strong evidence	products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne)	POLYETHYLENE

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)
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		POLYETHYLENE
Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption		POLYETHYLENE
Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review		POLYETHYLENE
Insufficient data to determine safety		ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm)
Safety assessment was based on related chemical		HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
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
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, MAGNESIUM CHLORIDE HEXAHYDRATE
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		CYCLOMETHICONE, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		TRIDECYL NEOPENTANOATE, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm), GLYCERIN, DIMETHICONOL, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, 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		ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm)
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses		GLYCERIN

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		CYCLOMETHICONE, CYCLOPENTASILOXANE, GLYCERIN, POLYETHYLENE
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)