Caribbean Blue - natural basics Sun Shield Sun Screen, SPF 15 || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

CARIBBEAN BLUE - NATURAL BASICS SUN SHIELD SUN SCREEN, SPF 15

last updated: 10/29/08 brand: Caribbean Blue - natural basics by Caribbean Blue - natural basics

SCORE

	health hazard
	sun hazard

90%

data gap

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PRODUCT USES

sunscreen: SPF 15-30

COMPANY POLICIES

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
Non-compliant: This company has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics but has not met minimum requirements.

Animal Testing Policy
This company's animal testing policy is unknown.

Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown

MEDIUM	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
blocking strength

Product total

NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) ( 7.4? %)

We have had to assume the percentage of the active ingredients in this product. If you own this product and it has the percentages printed on the package, you can help us fill in this missing information.

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: Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, 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 INGREDIENT : micronized zinc oxide , in a natural base of botanical extracts of echinacea, gotu kola, gingko and seaweed, oils of coconut, safflower, almond, sesame and macadamia nut, lecithin, xanthan gum, grapefruit seed extract, essential oils of peppermint & lavender and Vitamins A, C, and E.

Directions from packaging: Apply liberally ensuring even coverage. Re-apply after bathing. Shake before use.

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ingredients

	score	data gap	concerns
NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (Active Ingredient)	3	70%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
LECITHIN	3	70%	Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
VITAMIN A VITAMINS A	5	70%	Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes
CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) SEED EXTRACT	4	100%	Multiple, additive exposure sources, Contamination concerns (BENZETHONIUM CHLORIDE, METHYLPARABEN, TRICLOSAN)
TOCOPHEROL VITAMINS E.	2	87%	Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) VITAMINS C	1	91%	none identified
COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL	1	89%	none identified
CARTHAMNUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) OIL	1	84%	none identified
PEPPERMINT (MENTHA PIPERITA)	1	75%	Enhanced skin absorption
CENTELLA ASIATICA (GOTU KOLA)	0	100%	none identified
ECHINACEA PURPUREA (PURPLE CONEFLOWER)	0	100%	none identified
GINKGO BILOBA (MAIDENHAIR TREE) GINGKO	0	100%	none identified
MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA (MACADAMIA) MACADAMIA NUT	0	100%	none identified
SEAWEED	0	100%	none identified
SESAMUM INDICUM (SESAME) SEED	0	100%	none identified
LAVENDER	0	100%	none identified
XANTHAN GUM	0	94%	none identified
PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL	0	93%	none identified

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		CARTHAMNUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) OIL
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		TOCOPHEROL, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C)
Cancer - limited evidence		VITAMIN A

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		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at low doses		VITAMIN A

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		LECITHIN, PEPPERMINT (MENTHA PIPERITA)
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics		VITAMIN A, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)

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		VITAMIN A
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		LECITHIN
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)

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 liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL
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	CARTHAMNUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) OIL
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 skin toxicity		VITAMIN A

Multiple, additive exposure sources*

*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		PEPPERMINT (MENTHA PIPERITA), LAVENDER, XANTHAN GUM, VITAMIN A, TOCOPHEROL, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), LECITHIN, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C)
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available		LECITHIN, CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) SEED EXTRACT

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)

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		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), VITAMIN A, CARTHAMNUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) OIL

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		ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C)
Insufficient data to determine safety		NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
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		PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, VITAMIN A
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		CENTELLA ASIATICA (GOTU KOLA), CITRUS GRANDIS (GRAPEFRUIT) SEED EXTRACT
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		TOCOPHEROL
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) 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		CARTHAMNUS TINCTORIUS (SAFFLOWER) OIL, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C)
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		LAVENDER, XANTHAN GUM, SESAMUM INDICUM (SESAME) SEED, SEAWEED, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), MACADAMIA TERNIFOLIA (MACADAMIA), GINKGO BILOBA (MAIDENHAIR TREE), ECHINACEA PURPUREA (PURPLE CONEFLOWER)

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)
Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease.		VITAMIN A