EWG's Sunscreen Investigation 2009 Donate

TROPICAL SANDS SUNSCREEN LOTION, SPF 30

last updated: 03/17/09 brand: Tropical Sands by Mexitan Products

PRODUCT USES

sunscreen: SPF 15-30

COMPANY POLICIES

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
Non-compliant: This company has signed the Compact for Safe Cosmetics and made progress toward compliance but may not meet all requirements: this company has not provided the Campaign with information needed to assess if all required product and ingredient information has been provided.

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



Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown

HIGHUVB sunburn protection
HIGHUVA protection
HIGHsunscreen 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 TITANIUM DIOXIDE (6%) 
NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (6%) 

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:
yesCancer
yesDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
yesViolations, restrictions & warnings
yesAllergies/immunotoxicity
yesOther concerns for ingredients used in this product:
Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, 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: Titanium Dioxide (6.0%), Zinc Oxide (6.0%) Inactive Ingredients: Deionized Water, Sunflower Oil, Lecithin, Coconut Oil, Glycerine, Xanthan Gum, Green Tea Extract, Jojoba Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Shea Butter, Eucalyptus Oil

Directions from packaging: Shake well and apply evenly before sun exposure. Apply and reapply as directed to avoid lowering protection. Reapply after 40 minutes of swimming or sweating and after towel drying. Otherwise, reapply at least every 2 hours. Children under 6 months, ask a doctor.

Warnings from packaging: For external use only. When using this product keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove. Stop use and ask a doctor if rash or irritation develops or lasts. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed get medical help right away.

 

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ingredients

     score    data gap       concerns
NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE
(Active Ingredient)
287%Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes
NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
(Active Ingredient)
370%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
LECITHIN
(PLANT-DERIVED)
370%Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
RETINYL PALMITATE568%Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes
TOCOPHERYL ACETATE481%Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
GLYCERIN
(PLANT-DERIVED)
274%Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL189%none identified
SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL
JOJOBA OIL
187%none identified
EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS (EUCALYPTUS) LEAF OIL
EUCALYPTUS OIL
186%Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
CAMELLIA OLEIFERA (TEA-OIL CAMELLIA) SEED EXTRACT
GREEN TEA EXTRACT
0100%none identified
BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER)094%none identified
HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) OIL094%none identified
XANTHAN GUM094%none identified
WATER
(DEIONIZED)
00%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 TITANIUM DIOXIDE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results   TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, GLYCERIN
Cancer - limited evidence   RETINYL PALMITATE

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   RETINYL PALMITATE
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)
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics   RETINYL PALMITATE
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications   LECITHIN
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - any   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   RETINYL PALMITATE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), GLYCERIN, EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS (EUCALYPTUS) LEAF OIL
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses   LECITHIN

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   GLYCERIN

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)
respiratory - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study   NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence   TOCOPHERYL ACETATE

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 bioaccumulative   NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE
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, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED 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)
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   TOCOPHERYL ACETATE
Limited evidence of skin toxicity   RETINYL PALMITATE
One or more animal studies show kidney or renal system effects at very low doses   GLYCERIN, NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE

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   NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, XANTHAN GUM, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, RETINYL PALMITATE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), LECITHIN, GLYCERIN, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS (EUCALYPTUS) LEAF OIL
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available   LECITHIN

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 TITANIUM DIOXIDE
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 low doses   EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS (EUCALYPTUS) LEAF OIL
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at moderate doses   GLYCERIN, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm)
One or more animal studies show significant but moderate pulmonary irritation at low doses   NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE

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)
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   SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, RETINYL PALMITATE
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel   NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, XANTHAN GUM, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) OIL, GLYCERIN, EUCALYPTUS GLOBULUS (EUCALYPTUS) LEAF OIL, CAMELLIA OLEIFERA (TEA-OIL CAMELLIA) SEED EXTRACT, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA BUTTER)

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   NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE
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.   RETINYL PALMITATE
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood   NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood   GLYCERIN, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL

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