OBAGI NU-DERM PHYSICAL UV BLOCK, SPF 32
last updated: 03/15/09 brand: OBAGI by OBAGI Medical Products
PRODUCT USES
sunscreen: SPF greater than 30
COMPANY POLICIES
Compact for Safe Cosmetics
|
Animal Testing Policy |
Buy on Amazon, Support EWG!
Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown
| HIGH | UVB sunburn protection |
| HIGH | UVA protection |
| 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 |
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Product total |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (18.5%) |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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: 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: Zinc Oxide USP 18.5%Inactive Ingredient: Beeswax, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Dimethicone, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Dimethicone, Disodium EDTA, Glycereth-26, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Isopropyl Palmitate, Methylparaben, Octyl Stearate, Propylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Propylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Chloride, Triethoxycaprlylsilane, Tocopherol Acetate, Willowherb Extract.
Directions from packaging: Apply liberally to all exposed areas or as directed by a physician. Apply at least 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply frequently after prolonged swimming, excessive perspiration, vigorous activity or toweling.
user reviews & comments
| SueWilliams |  | "The protection of this product is 5 stars, but for me, it tends ball up after applied if you then wipe your face with your hands or anything. I use ..." | Read more. | |
| anonymous 21007 | "This is a nice product but makes my sensitive skin breakout. So I guess it irritates. It doesn't appear very oily though. ANd doesn't seem too wat ..." | Read more. |
NEW! Log in to rate this product and leave a comment!
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) ZINC OXIDE USP 18.5%INACTIVE INGREDIENT (Active Ingredient) | 3 | 70% | 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) |
| PROPYLPARABEN | 5 | 71% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| TOCOPHERYL ACETATE TOCOPHEROL ACETATE | 4 | 81% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE) |
| SODIUM PROPYLPARABEN | 4 | 79% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| DISODIUM EDTA | 3 | 78% | Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption |
| DIMETHICONE | 2 | 74% | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE OCTYL STEARATE | 1 | 87% | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| ISOPROPYL PALMITATE | 1 | 87% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| BUTYLENE GLYCOL | 1 | 79% | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| EPILOBIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM (WILLOW HERB) EXTRACT | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE TRIETHOXYCAPRLYLSILANE | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| CETYL DIMETHICONE | 0 | 99% | none identified |
| GLYCERETH-26 | 0 | 94% | 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 | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SODIUM CHLORIDE, PROPYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, METHYLPARABEN |
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, BUTYLENE GLYCOL | |
| One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses | PROPYLPARABEN | |
| One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) | |
| One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses | SODIUM 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 | CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE | |
| Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics | METHYLPARABEN | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - any | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel | DIMETHICONE |
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 | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), BUTYLENE GLYCOL | |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses | SODIUM PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN | |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses | DISODIUM EDTA |
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, BUTYLENE GLYCOL | |
| One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption | SODIUM PROPYLPARABEN | |
| 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 | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SODIUM PROPYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN |
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) |
| 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 sense organ effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips | ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, | |
| 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) | |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | PROPYLPARABEN, CETYL PEG/ PPG-10/ 1 DIMETHICONE | |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at low doses | products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips | SODIUM CHLORIDE |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at low doses | SODIUM PROPYLPARABEN, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, 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 | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), PROPYLPARABEN, SODIUM 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 | ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, METHYLPARABEN | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), SODIUM CHLORIDE | |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE, BUTYLENE 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) |
| Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review | ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE | |
| Insufficient data to determine safety | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) | |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | CETYL DIMETHICONE | |
| 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 | METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN, SODIUM PROPYLPARABEN | |
| 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 | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, DISODIUM EDTA, ETHYLHEXYL STEARATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, DIMETHICONE, CETYL DIMETHICONE, BEESWAX | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), GLYCERETH-26, EPILOBIUM ANGUSTIFOLIUM (WILLOW HERB) EXTRACT, 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) |
| Interferes with gene expresion | METHYLPARABEN |
Copyright © 2010 by Environmental Working Group
All rights reserved.
Favorites basket
No items in basket.
Add this product
Skin Deep User Tools BETA
Looking for a product report that we don't have in Skin Deep? Sign up to enter it into the Skin Deep database and leave product reviews.
SKIN DEEP NEEDS YOUR HELP
We always want Skin Deep to be free to the public, but delivering high-quality research costs time and money. Help by donating just the cost of a bar of soap or bottle of shampoo.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
Stay informed with email updates on toxics in everyday products and how they can affect your health.
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN
Find out more about the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics.