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76% of dandruff/scalp treatments have lower concerns
73% of shampoos have lower concerns




Compact for Safe Cosmetics
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Animal Testing Policy |


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, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards |
Ingredients from packaging: Active Ingredients: Contains: Selenium Sulfide Lotion (1%). Inactive Ingredients: Ammonium Laureth Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Citric Acid, Cocamide DEA, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, DMDM Hydantoin, D&C Red 33, FD&C Blue 1, Fragrance, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Menthol, Purified Water, Sodium Chloride, TEA-Lauryl Sulfate.
Directions from packaging: Shake well.Shampoo and rinse thoroughly. For best results, use regularly, at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor.
Warnings from packaging: For external use only. Avoid contact with the eyes.If contact occurs, rinse eyes thoroughly with water.If condition worsens or does not improve after regular use of this product as directed, consult a doctor.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 immediately.
| score | data gap | concerns | |
| SELENIUM SULFIDE (Active Ingredient) | 10 | 58% | Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards |
| DMDM HYDANTOIN | 7 | 71% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE) |
| FRAGRANCE | 8 | 100% | Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous |
| COCAMIDE DEA | 6 | 61% | Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES) |
| COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE | 5 | 63% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES) |
| MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE | 4 | 88% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| D&C RED 33 | 1 | 75% | none identified |
| AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE | 3 | 87% | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |
| MENTHOL | 2 | 85% | Multiple, additive exposure sources |
| CITRIC ACID | 2 | 72% | Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| FD&C BLUE 1 | 1 | 83% | none identified |
| TRIETHANOLAMINE LAURYL SULFATE TEA-LAURYL SULFATE | 2 | 72% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES) |
| HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE | 1 | 88% | none identified |
| AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE | 1 | 73% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| SODIUM CHLORIDE | 0 | 0% | innocuous |
| WATER | 0 | 0% | innocuous |
*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 non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | D&C RED 33 | |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | SODIUM CHLORIDE, MENTHOL | |
| Cancer - limited evidence | COCAMIDE DEA | |
| Possible human carcinogen | SELENIUM SULFIDE | |
| Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen | FD&C BLUE 1 |
*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) |
| Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence | SELENIUM SULFIDE, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE |
*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 | TRIETHANOLAMINE LAURYL SULFATE, COCAMIDE DEA, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Restricted in EU cosmetics (mandatory manufacturing or structural specifications) | SELENIUM SULFIDE, CITRIC ACID | |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Color additive approved by FDA for limited uses in cosmetics | D&C RED 33, AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit) | DMDM HYDANTOIN, DMDM HYDANTOIN | |
| Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics | SELENIUM SULFIDE |
*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 | FD&C BLUE 1 | |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses | MENTHOL | |
| Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity | FRAGRANCE | |
| Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity | SELENIUM SULFIDE, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE |
*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) |
| Known human immune system toxicant | COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, FRAGRANCE, DMDM HYDANTOIN, COCAMIDE DEA |
*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 or bioaccumulative and moderate to high toxicity concern in humans | SELENIUM SULFIDE |
*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) |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | TRIETHANOLAMINE LAURYL SULFATE, AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE | |
| 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, HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | MENTHOL, | |
| One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | FD&C BLUE 1 | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | DMDM HYDANTOIN, CITRIC ACID, AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE | |
| Limited evidence of any toxicity | MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE | |
| Known human respiratory toxicant | SELENIUM SULFIDE |
*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) |
| Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown | FRAGRANCE |
*This table includes all possible multiple, additive exposure sources 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) |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | MENTHOL, SODIUM CHLORIDE, CITRIC ACID, HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE, FD&C BLUE 1, COCAMIDE DEA | |
| Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available | MENTHOL |
*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 | SELENIUM SULFIDE |
*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 high doses | TRIETHANOLAMINE LAURYL SULFATE | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | MENTHOL, SODIUM CHLORIDE | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | COCAMIDE DEA | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | CITRIC ACID | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses | AMMONIUM LAURYL SULFATE | |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | DMDM HYDANTOIN, AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE |
*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 | MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, HYDROXYPROPYL METHYLCELLULOSE, DMDM HYDANTOIN, AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | SELENIUM SULFIDE, MENTHOL, FRAGRANCE, CITRIC ACID |
*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 very low doses | SELENIUM SULFIDE |
*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 | CITRIC ACID |
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