Neutrogena Deep Clean Gentle Facial Scrub, Oil Free || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

NEUTROGENA DEEP CLEAN GENTLE FACIAL SCRUB, OIL FREE

last updated: 10/01/09 brand: Neutrogena by Johnson & Johnson

SCORE

high hazard (out of 10)

78%

data gap

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92% of exfoliant/scrubs have lower concerns

COMPANY POLICIES

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
Non-signer: This company has not signed the Compact.

Animal Testing Policy
This company conducts animal tests.

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, Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns, Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Ingredients from packaging: Water, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Glycerin, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Glycol Distearate, Stearic Acid, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, Neopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Salicylic Acid, Polyethylene, Disodium EDTA, Xanthan Gum, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Hydroxide, Cetyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben, Agar, Mica, Titanium Dioxide, Iron Oxide, Red 30 Lake, Fragrance.

Directions from packaging: Wet face and apply scrub by massaging gently, avoiding contact with the delicate eye area. Rinse thoroughly. If you experience dryness or irritation, use less frequently. Neutrogena recommends daily use of SPF 15 sunscreen to protect your skin during the day.

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ingredients

	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
FRAGRANCE	8	100%	Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous
POLYETHYLENE	6	69%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
SALICYLIC ACID	7	66%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption
BUTYLPARABEN	6	79%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes
ETHYLPARABEN	5	80%	Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
D&C RED 30 LAKE	4	72%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation
PROPYLPARABEN	5	71%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE	5	63%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES)
MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE	4	88%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)	1	81%	Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes
PHENOXYETHANOL	4	67%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
DISODIUM EDTA	3	78%	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption
SODIUM HYDROXIDE	3	77%	Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
MICA	3	75%	Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
IRON OXIDES	2	85%	Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption
GLYCERIN	2	74%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards
STEARIC ACID	2	74%	Neurotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
GLYCOL DISTEARATE	1	93%	Multiple, additive exposure sources
CETYL ALCOHOL	1	87%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
AGAR	1	84%	Biochemical or cellular level changes
ACRYLATES/ C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER	0	100%	none identified
LINOLEAMIDOPROPYL PG-DIMONIUM CHLORIDE PHOSPHATE	0	100%	none identified
SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE	0	100%	none identified
NEOPENTYL GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/ DICAPRATE	0	94%	none identified
XANTHAN 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		AGAR
One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results		PHENOXYETHANOL
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), SODIUM HYDROXIDE, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, ETHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, BUTYLPARABEN
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen		SALICYLIC ACID
Not likely to be carcinogenic in humans		STEARIC ACID
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen		POLYETHYLENE

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 reproductive effects at high doses		ETHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA
One or more animal studies show reproductive effects at moderate doses		SALICYLIC ACID, GLYCERIN
One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses		PROPYLPARABEN
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence		MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE
One or more animal studies show any effects at very low doses		BUTYLPARABEN
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence		D&C RED 30 LAKE

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		SALICYLIC ACID
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics		SALICYLIC ACID
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications		POLYETHYLENE, COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE, D&C RED 30 LAKE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)		SALICYLIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL
Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics		METHYLPARABEN

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		POLYETHYLENE, GLYCERIN
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses		SALICYLIC ACID, DISODIUM EDTA
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at very low doses		STEARIC ACID
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity		MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE
Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity		FRAGRANCE
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at very low doses		SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity		D&C RED 30 LAKE

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, DISODIUM EDTA
Human any disruptor - strong evidence		PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN

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 animal studies show immune effects at low doses		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)
One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at moderate doses		MICA
Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity		PHENOXYETHANOL
Human immune system toxicant - moderate evidence		POLYETHYLENE
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN
Known human immune system toxicant		FRAGRANCE
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		BUTYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN
Known human immune system toxicant		COCAMIDOPROPYL BETAINE

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		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Not suspected to be persistent		CETYL ALCOHOL
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife		SALICYLIC ACID, D&C RED 30 LAKE
Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife and humans		IRON OXIDES, MICA

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 broad systemic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		AGAR, STEARIC ACID
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity		PROPYLPARABEN
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	CETYL ALCOHOL
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity		ETHYLPARABEN, BUTYLPARABEN, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE
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	SALICYLIC ACID
One or more animal studies show kidney or renal system effects at very low doses		GLYCERIN, SODIUM HYDROXIDE,
One or more animal studies show sense organ effects at very low doses	products for use around the eyes, mouth, or lips	PHENOXYETHANOL
One or more animal studies show cardiovascular effects at very low doses		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)
Possible human respiratory toxicant		MICA, POLYETHYLENE
Known human any toxicant		METHYLPARABEN

Miscellaneous*

*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
Occupational hazards related to handling		SODIUM HYDROXIDE

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		XANTHAN GUM, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), IRON OXIDES, STEARIC ACID, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, SALICYLIC ACID, PROPYLPARABEN, POLYETHYLENE, METHYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, CETYL ALCOHOL, BUTYLPARABEN, AGAR
Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available		SALICYLIC ACID, GLYCOL DISTEARATE

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		CETYL ALCOHOL
Not suspected to be an environmental toxin		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Wildlife and environmental toxicity		PROPYLPARABEN

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		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), SALICYLIC ACID, GLYCERIN, BUTYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses		METHYLPARABEN, STEARIC ACID
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses		SODIUM HYDROXIDE, CETYL ALCOHOL
Human any irritant - strong evidence	products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne)	POLYETHYLENE
Classified as irritant		PHENOXYETHANOL

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)
Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption		POLYETHYLENE
Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review		POLYETHYLENE
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		STEARIC ACID, PROPYLPARABEN, POLYETHYLENE, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, GLYCOL DISTEARATE, ETHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, CETYL ALCOHOL, BUTYLPARABEN
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		XANTHAN GUM, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), SODIUM METHYL COCOYL TAURATE, SODIUM HYDROXIDE, NEOPENTYL GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/ DICAPRATE, LINOLEAMIDOPROPYL PG-DIMONIUM CHLORIDE PHOSPHATE, GLYCERIN, FRAGRANCE, AGAR, ACRYLATES/ C10-30 ALKYL ACRYLATE CROSSPOLYMER

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
No workplace limits set		SODIUM HYDROXIDE
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO), PHENOXYETHANOL
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses		MICA

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)
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at very low doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		AGAR, TITANIUM DIOXIDE (NON-NANO)
One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood		GLYCERIN, POLYETHYLENE
Interferes with gene expresion		BUTYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN