Neutrogena T-Gel Shampoo, Extra Strength || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

NEUTROGENA T-GEL SHAMPOO, EXTRA STRENGTH

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

SCORE

high hazard (out of 10)

72%

data gap

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92% of dandruff/scalp treatments have lower concerns
89% of shampoos have lower concerns

COMPANY POLICIES

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
Non-signer: This company has not signed the Compact.

Animal Testing Policy
This company conducts animal tests.

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), Miscellaneous, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Ingredients from packaging: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: 4% NEUTAR SOLUBILIZED COAL TAR EXTRACT (1.0% COAL TAR). INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: BISHYDROXYETHYL DIHYDROXYPROPYL STEARAMINIUM CHLOR, CITRIC ACID, COCAMIDE DEA, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, FRAGRANCE, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, LAURETH 4, METHYLPARABEN, PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE, POLYSORBATE 20, PROPYLPARABEN, PURIFIED WATER, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA.

Directions from packaging: For best results, use every other day. Do not exceed four uses a week. Wet hair thoroughly. Massage liberal amount of T/Gel Shampoo into the scalp. Leave lather on scalp for several minutes. Rinse and repeat.

Warnings from packaging: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water. If condition worsens or does not improve after regular use of the product as directed, consult a physician. Use caution in exposing skin to sunlight after applying this product. It may increase your tendency to sunburn for up to 24 hours after application. Do not use for prolonged periods without consulting a physician. Do not use this product with other forms of psoriasis therapy such as ultraviolet radiation or prescription drugs unless directed to do so by a physician. If condition covers a large portion of the body, consult your physician before using this product. In rare instances, discoloration of gray, blonde, bleached or tinted hair may occur. Store away from direct sunlight. Keep this and all drugs out of the reach of children. In case of accidental ingestion, seek professional assistance or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

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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
COAL TAR (Active Ingredient)	10	57%	Cancer, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (BENZO[A]PYRENE)
FRAGRANCE	8	100%	Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous
PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE	6	76%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
COCAMIDE DEA	6	61%	Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
PROPYLPARABEN	5	71%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA	5	70%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE	5	63%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE	4	88%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
LAURETH-4	3	96%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
SODIUM HYDROXIDE	3	77%	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
CITRIC ACID	2	72%	Violations, restrictions & warnings
TETRASODIUM EDTA	2	81%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards
POLYSORBATE-20	1	84%	none identified
BISHYDROXYETHYL DIHYDROXYPROPYL STEARAMINIUM CHLORIDE	0	100%	none identified
WATER (PURIFIED)	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		SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN
Cancer - limited evidence		COCAMIDE DEA
Known human carcinogen		COAL TAR

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		POLYSORBATE-20
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-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE, COCAMIDE DEA, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel		COAL TAR
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics		CITRIC ACID
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin	products for use on damaged skin	PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE
Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics		METHYLPARABEN, COAL TAR, COAL TAR

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 very low doses		SODIUM HYDROXIDE
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		METHYLPARABEN
Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity		FRAGRANCE

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)
Human any disruptor - strong evidence		PROPYLPARABEN, 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)
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, COAL TAR
Known human immune system toxicant		IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, FRAGRANCE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, COCAMIDE DEA

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)
Not suspected to be bioaccumulative		SODIUM HYDROXIDE, COAL TAR

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 kidney or renal system effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		COCAMIDE DEA, POLYSORBATE-20, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA
One or more animal studies show kidney or renal system effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		TETRASODIUM EDTA, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, CITRIC ACID
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity		PROPYLPARABEN, PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE
Known human respiratory toxicant		COAL TAR
One or more animal studies show metabolic effects at very low doses		SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Known human any toxicant		METHYLPARABEN

Miscellaneous*

*This table includes all possible miscellaneous 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)
Occupational hazards related to handling		SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown		FRAGRANCE

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		COAL TAR
Not suspected to be an environmental toxin		SODIUM HYDROXIDE
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)
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses		POLYSORBATE-20, COAL TAR, CITRIC ACID
Human any irritant - strong evidence	products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne)	LAURETH-4, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		TETRASODIUM EDTA, METHYLPARABEN, COCAMIDE DEA
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses		SODIUM HYDROXIDE

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)
Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review		COAL TAR
Safety assessment was based on related chemical		LAURETH-4
Insufficient data to determine safety		COAL TAR
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		SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, PROPYLPARABEN, POLYSORBATE-20, LAURETH-4, METHYLPARABEN, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE, FRAGRANCE, CITRIC ACID, BISHYDROXYETHYL DIHYDROXYPROPYL STEARAMINIUM CHLORIDE

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)
No workplace limits set		SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		TETRASODIUM EDTA

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)
Interferes with gene expresion		METHYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		CITRIC ACID