

Compact for Safe Cosmetics
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Animal Testing Policy |


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: Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption |
Ingredients from packaging: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: CITRONELLA OIL (5%) INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: OTHER INGREDIENTS: (95%), ESSENTIAL OILS OF CEDARWOOD, PEPPERMINT, LEMONGRASS, EUCALYPTUS, PURIFIED WATER, ETHANOL (GRAIN ALCOHOL), CASTOR OIL, TOTAL (100%)
Directions from packaging: It is a violation of Federal Law to use this product in a manner inconsistent with its labeling. Use restrictions: Avoid contact with eyes. How to apply: Shake before using. For best results, apply to skin every 2-3 hours or more often as needed. For added protection apply to clothing. For gnats, blackflies and no-see-ums hourly application may be necessary for adequate protection. Storage: Do not contaminate water, food or feed by storage and disposal. Store in a cool, dark environment. Container disposal: If empty: Do not reuse this container. Place in trash or offer for recycling if available. If partly filled: Call your local solid waster agency or 1-800-Cleanup for disposal instruction. Never place unused product down any indoor or outdoor drain.
Warnings from packaging: Precautionary Statements. Keep out of reach of children. See side panel for additional precautionary statements. Hazards to humans and domestic animals: WARNING: Causes substantial but temporary eye injury. Do not get in eyes. Wash thoroughly with soap and water after handling. First Aid: If in eyes: + Hold eye open and rinse slowly and gently with water for 15-20 minutes. + Remove contact lenses, if present, after the first 5 minutes, the continue rinsing eye. + Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice. If on skin: + May cause skin reaction in rare cases. + Rinse skin immediately with plenty of water for 15-20 minutes. + Call a poison control center or doctor for treatment advice. If swallowed: + Call a poison control center or doctor immediately for treatment advice. + Do not induce vomiting unless told to do so by the poison control center or a doctor. + Do not give anything by mouth to an unconscious person.
| anonymous 14247 | ![]() ![]() | "Four of us applied it in a heavy manner before going out. An hour and a half later three of us had at least one mosquito bite. ..." | Read more. |
| score | data gap | concerns | |
| CITRONELLA OIL (Active Ingredient) | 1 | 86% | none identified |
| CASTOR OIL | 2 | 80% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption |
| PEPPERMINT (MENTHA PIPERITA) | 1 | 75% | Enhanced skin absorption |
| CEDRUS ATLANTICA (ATLAS CEDAR) ESSENTIAL OIL ESSENTIAL OILS OF CEDARWOOD | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| CYMBOPOGON SCHOENANTHUS (LEMONGRASS) | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| EUCALYPTUS | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| WATER (PURIFIED) | 0 | 0% | innocuous |
*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 non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | CITRONELLA OIL |
*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) |
| Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity | CASTOR OIL |
*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 | PEPPERMINT (MENTHA PIPERITA) |
*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 | CITRONELLA OIL |
*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) | CITRONELLA OIL |
*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) |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | CASTOR OIL |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at high doses | CITRONELLA OIL |
*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 | CASTOR 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 | CASTOR OIL | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | EUCALYPTUS, CYMBOPOGON SCHOENANTHUS (LEMONGRASS), CITRONELLA OIL, CEDRUS ATLANTICA (ATLAS CEDAR) ESSENTIAL OIL |
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