Herpetrol Cold Sore Relief Gel || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

HERPETROL COLD SORE RELIEF GEL

last updated: 03/15/09 brand: Herpetrol by Alva-Amco Pharmacal Cos., Inc.

SCORE

moderate hazard (out of 10)

61%

data gap

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24% of oral pain reliefs have lower concerns

COMPANY POLICIES

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

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

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: Endocrine disruption, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns, Biochemical or cellular level changes

Ingredients from packaging: Active Ingredients: Methyl (7%) (Topical analgesic), Benzalkonium Chloride (0..13%) (First Aid Antiseptic)Inactive Ingredients: Lysine HCl, Petrolatum, Water Purified

Directions from packaging: Read all package directions and warning before using. Use only as directed. Apply to affected area not more than 3 to 4 times daily. Massage gently until absorbed into the skin. Intended for use by normally healthy adults only. Persons under 18 years of age or those with highly sensitive or allergic skin should use only as directed by a doctor.

Warnings from packaging: WarningsFor external use only. Do not use in the eyes, or over large areas of the body. Ask a doctor before use in case of deep or puncture wounds, animal bites or serious burns. When using this product avoid contact with the eyes. Stop use and ask a doctor if condition gets worse, persists for more than 7 days or clears up and occurs again within a few days. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

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ingredients

	score	data gap	concerns
METHYLPARABEN METHYL (7%) (TOPICAL ANALGESIC)	10	63%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Biochemical or cellular level changes
BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE	7	62%	Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
PETROLATUM	2	94%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (PAHS)
LYSINE HYDROCHLORIDE LYSINE HCL	1	87%	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 in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		METHYLPARABEN, BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

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		BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications		BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit)		BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
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		LYSINE HYDROCHLORIDE
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses		METHYLPARABEN

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)
Human any disruptor - strong evidence		METHYLPARABEN

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)
Known human immune system toxicant		BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		METHYLPARABEN

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)
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful		PETROLATUM
One or more animal studies show metabolic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		LYSINE HYDROCHLORIDE
Known human any toxicant		METHYLPARABEN
Possible human immune system toxicant		BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

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		METHYLPARABEN, BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE

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)
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		METHYLPARABEN
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		PETROLATUM, LYSINE HYDROCHLORIDE

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)
Interferes with gene expresion		METHYLPARABEN