Aqua Glycolic Facial Cleanser for Cleansing & Shaving, All Skin Types || Skin Deep: Cosmetic Safety Reviews

AQUA GLYCOLIC FACIAL CLEANSER FOR CLEANSING & SHAVING, ALL SKIN TYPES

last updated: 04/03/08 brand: Aqua Glycolic by Merz Pharmaceuticals

SCORE

moderate hazard (out of 10)

69%

data gap

BUY ONLINE/BETTER PRODUCTS

see online retailers

40% of exfoliant/scrubs have lower concerns
29% of facial cleansers have lower concerns
23% of shaving creams 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: PURIFIED WATER (AQUA), AMMONIUM GLYCOLATE, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, SORBITOL, GLYCOLIC ACID, AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE, METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN. DIRECTIONS: MASSAGE AMOUNT APPROXIMATELY THE SIZE OF A QUARTER OVER DRY SKIN. ADD WATER. RINSE OR REMOVE WITH CLEAN WASHCLOTH.

Directions from packaging: Massage amount approximately the size of a quarter over dry skin. Add water. Rinse or remove with clean washcloth.

Warnings from packaging: Caution: For external use only. + Avoid getting into the eye. + If irritation occurs, wash product off, discontinue use and consult a physician.

user reviews & comments

NEW! No reviews or ratings yet. Log in and be the first to leave a comment!

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
PROPYLPARABEN	5	71%	Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
AMMONIUM GLYCOLATE	4	75%	Violations, restrictions & warnings
GLYCOLIC ACID	4	70%	Violations, restrictions & warnings
AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE	3	87%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE)
SORBITOL	1	88%	none identified
CETYL ALCOHOL	1	87%	Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
STEARYL ALCOHOL	1	84%	Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
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		STEARYL ALCOHOL
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results		PROPYLPARABEN, SORBITOL, METHYLPARABEN
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen		AMMONIUM GLYCOLATE

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		GLYCOLIC ACID
One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses		PROPYLPARABEN

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		GLYCOLIC ACID, AMMONIUM GLYCOLATE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics		GLYCOLIC ACID
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Allowable pH limits		GLYCOLIC ACID
Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics		METHYLPARABEN
Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Allowable pH limits		AMMONIUM GLYCOLATE

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 moderate doses		GLYCOLIC ACID, 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		PROPYLPARABEN, 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)
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence		PROPYLPARABEN, 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)
One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		SORBITOL, CETYL ALCOHOL, STEARYL ALCOHOL
One or more animal studies show gastrointestinal effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)		GLYCOLIC ACID, AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity		PROPYLPARABEN
Known human any toxicant		METHYLPARABEN

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
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 low doses		METHYLPARABEN
Human any irritant - strong evidence	products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne)	STEARYL ALCOHOL
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses		CETYL ALCOHOL
Human any irritant - strong evidence	products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne)	AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE

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)
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel		SORBITOL
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		AMMONIUM LAURETH SULFATE, STEARYL ALCOHOL, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, CETYL ALCOHOL

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