SOLBAR ZINC, SPF 38
last updated: 10/01/09 brand: Solbar by Person & Covey, Inc.
PRODUCT USES
sunscreen: SPF greater than 30
COMPANY POLICIES
Compact for Safe Cosmetics
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Animal Testing Policy |
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Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown
| HIGH | UVB sunburn protection |
| MEDIUM | 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 |
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 Product total |
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| OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (7.5%) |
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| HOMOSALATE (10%) |
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| ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm) (7.5%) |
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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 (Z-cote HP1) 7.5% Octyl Methoxycinnamate 7.5% Homosalate 10% Inactive Ingredients Purified Water, Isobutyl stearate, Glyceryl stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, glycerin, glyceryl dilaurate, PVP/Eicosene Copolymer, Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone, DEA-Cetyol Phosphate, Stearyl Alcohol, Steareth-20, Cetyol Alcohol, Benzyol ALcohol, CItric Acid, Xanhan Gum and Disodium EDTA.
user reviews & comments
| Mel |  | "I used the Solbar with no chemical blockers, only zinc and titanium. Slight chemical scent. Slightly less greasy than Blue Lizard, but still gives m ..." | Read more. | |
| peichy | | "I really like this sunscreen, easy to spread, doesn't irritate and works really well. ..." | Read more. |
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ingredients
| score | data gap | concerns | |
| OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE 7.5% (Active Ingredient) | 8 | 65% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, 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) 7.5% (Active Ingredient) | 3 | 74% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards |
| 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) |
| BENZYL ALCOHOL BENZYOL ALCOHOL | 6 | 64% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards |
| HOMOSALATE (Active Ingredient) | 4 | 74% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (SALICYLIC ACID, TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANOL) |
| DISODIUM EDTA | 3 | 78% | Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption |
| DIMETHICONE | 2 | 74% | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| CITRIC ACID | 3 | 72% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| CYCLOMETHICONE | 2 | 83% | Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| GLYCERIN | 2 | 74% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards |
| ISOBUTYL STEARATE | 1 | 90% | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE GLYCERYL STEARATE | 1 | 88% | none identified |
| STEARETH-20 | 1 | 88% | none identified |
| CETYL ALCOHOL CETYOL ALCOHOL | 1 | 87% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| STEARYL ALCOHOL | 1 | 84% | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| GLYCERYL DILAURATE | 1 | 74% | none identified |
| DEA-CETYL PHOSPHATE DEA-CETYOL PHOSPHATE | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| VP/ EICOSENE COPOLYMER | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| XANTHAN GUM XANHAN GUM | 0 | 94% | 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 high doses | STEARYL ALCOHOL | |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at moderate doses | PEG-100 STEARATE | |
| 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 | GLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, BENZYL ALCOHOL |
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 developmental effects at high doses | ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm) | |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at high doses | PEG-100 STEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, BENZYL ALCOHOL | |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) | |
| One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses | GLYCERIN |
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-100 STEARATE | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel | DIMETHICONE | |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications | BENZYL ALCOHOL, GLYCERYL DILAURATE | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | CITRIC ACID | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Fragrance subject to restrictions: safe only within recommended use or concentration limitsn) | BENZYL ALCOHOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit) | products for use around the eyes; products for use on the lips | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit) | HOMOSALATE, 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 | GLYCERIN, ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm) | |
| Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity | BENZYL ALCOHOL | |
| 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 studies show weak endocrine disruption | HOMOSALATE | |
| One or more animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses | DISODIUM EDTA, GLYCERIN | |
| 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 allergenic effects | BENZYL ALCOHOL, OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) |
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 persistent | CETYL ALCOHOL | |
| Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in people | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) | |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 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) | BENZYL ALCOHOL, | |
| 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 sense organ effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips | STEARYL ALCOHOL, CYCLOMETHICONE, CETYL ALCOHOL |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | STEARETH-20, | |
| 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) | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE | |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | PEG-100 STEARATE | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at low doses | DISODIUM EDTA | |
| One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses | products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips | CITRIC ACID |
| One or more animal studies show kidney or renal system effects at very low doses | GLYCERIN |
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, CETYL ALCOHOL | |
| 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, CYCLOMETHICONE, CITRIC ACID | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | BENZYL ALCOHOL | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses | PEG-100 STEARATE, CETYL ALCOHOL | |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | ISOBUTYL STEARATE, STEARYL ALCOHOL |
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 | STEARETH-20, GLYCERYL DILAURATE | |
| Insufficient data to determine safety | ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm) | |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | PEG-100 STEARATE | |
| Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption | GLYCERYL DILAURATE | |
| Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review | ISOBUTYL STEARATE, GLYCERYL DILAURATE | |
| 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 | PEG-100 STEARATE, STEARETH-20, ISOBUTYL STEARATE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, DISODIUM EDTA, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DIMETHICONE, CETYL ALCOHOL, CYCLOMETHICONE | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | XANTHAN GUM, VP/ EICOSENE COPOLYMER, ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm), HOMOSALATE, GLYCERIN, DEA-CETYL PHOSPHATE, CITRIC ACID |
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 moderate doses | GLYCERIN | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | ZINC OXIDE (Z-COTE, 60nm), | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | BENZYL ALCOHOL |
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) | |
| One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | GLYCERIN, CYCLOMETHICONE, CITRIC ACID |
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