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89% of dandruff/scalp treatments have lower concerns
88% 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, 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:2% Neutar Solubilized Coal Tar Extract (0.5% Coal Tar). Inactive Ingredients:Purified Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide DEA, Laureth 4, Fragrance, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Sodium Chloride, Citric Acid, Tetrasodium EDTA.
Directions from packaging: Wet hair thoroughly. Massage shampoo into scalp. Lather, leaving on hair and scalp for several minutes. Rinse and repeat. For best results, use at least twice a week or as directed by a doctor.
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 immediately.
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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 on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | PROPYLPARABEN, SODIUM CHLORIDE, METHYLPARABEN | |
| Cancer - limited evidence | COCAMIDE DEA | |
| Known human carcinogen | COAL TAR |
*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 any effects at low doses | PROPYLPARABEN |
*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 | COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, COCAMIDE DEA | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel | COAL TAR | |
| Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics | COAL TAR | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | CITRIC ACID | |
| Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics | COAL TAR, METHYLPARABEN |
*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) |
| Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity | FRAGRANCE | |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses | METHYLPARABEN |
*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 |
*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, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, FRAGRANCE, 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) |
| Not suspected to be bioaccumulative | COAL TAR |
*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) |
| Known human any toxicant | METHYLPARABEN, COAL TAR | |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | PROPYLPARABEN | |
| 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, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID |
*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 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 | |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | PROPYLPARABEN |
*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 | SODIUM CHLORIDE, COAL TAR | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | TETRASODIUM EDTA | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses | CITRIC ACID | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | METHYLPARABEN, COCAMIDE DEA | |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, LAURETH-4 |
*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 | TETRASODIUM EDTA | |
| Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review | COAL TAR | |
| Insufficient data to determine safety | COAL TAR | |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | LAURETH-4 | |
| 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 | PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, SODIUM LAURETH SULFATE, LAURETH-4, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | 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 low doses | TETRASODIUM EDTA |
*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 | |
| Interferes with gene expresion | METHYLPARABEN |
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