VANICREAM SUNSCREEN FOR SENSITIVE SKIN, SPF 30
last updated: 02/12/10 brand: Vanicream by Pharmaceutical Specialties, Inc.
PRODUCT USES
sunscreen: SPF 15-30
COMPANY POLICIES
Compact for Safe Cosmetics
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Animal Testing Policy |
Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown
| HIGH | UVB sunburn protection |
| HIGH | UVA protection |
| HIGH | sunscreen 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 |
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 Product total |
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| NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE (5%) |
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| NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (5%) |
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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: | |
 | Cancer |
 | Developmental/reproductive toxicity |
| Violations, restrictions & warnings |
| Allergies/immunotoxicity |
| Other concerns for ingredients used in this product: Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), 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: ACTIVES: TITANIUM DIOXIDE 5%, ZINC OXIDE 5%, OTHER INGREDIENTS: ALUMINA, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, CETEARYL ISONONANOATE, CETYL ALCOHOL, ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE/TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE CROSSPOLYMER, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, METHYLPROPANEDIOL, PEG-12 DIMETHICONE, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, POLYETHYLENE, POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID, PURIFIED WATER, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, STEARYL DIMETHICONE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE.
Directions from packaging: Do not use on children under 6 months of age. Apply liberally before sun exposure and as needed. Reapply every 2 (two) hours and after swimming, excessive perspiring, or after towel drying.
Warnings from packaging: For external use only. Keep out of eyes, rinse with water to remove. If skin rash or irritation develops and lasts. Keep out of reach of children.
user reviews & comments
| anonymous 2181 | " ..." | Read more. | ||
| anonymous 13397 |  | "This is the best sunscreen that I have found for my son. It is the only one that I've used that hasn't caused his eczema to flare. And it's widely ..." | Read more. |
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ingredients
| score | data gap | concerns | |
| NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE (Active Ingredient) | 2 | 87% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Biochemical or cellular level changes |
| NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) (Active Ingredient) | 3 | 70% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards |
| POLYETHYLENE | 6 | 69% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |
| ALUMINA | 6 | 85% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards |
| PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE | 4 | 76% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |
| PEG-12 DIMETHICONE | 4 | 75% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |
| TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | 4 | 81% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE) |
| MAGNESIUM SULFATE | 2 | 82% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |
| TETRASODIUM EDTA | 2 | 81% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards |
| C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| CAPRYLIC/ CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| PHENYL TRIMETHICONE | 0 | 93% | none identified |
| CETYL ALCOHOL | 1 | 87% | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) |
| CETEARYL ISONONANOATE | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE/TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE COPOLYMER ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE/TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE CROSSPOLYMER | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| METHYLPROPANEDIOL | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE | 0 | 100% | none identified |
| SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE | 0 | 99% | none identified |
| STEARYL DIMETHICONE | 0 | 99% | none identified |
| POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID | 0 | 94% | none identified |
| WATER (PURIFIED) | 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 non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | MAGNESIUM SULFATE | |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at moderate doses | ALUMINA | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | MAGNESIUM SULFATE, | |
| One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) | |
| Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence | ALUMINA |
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 | POLYETHYLENE, PEG-12 DIMETHICONE, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE | |
| 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 moderate doses | MAGNESIUM SULFATE | |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), POLYETHYLENE | |
| Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity | ALUMINA |
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 immune system toxicant - moderate evidence | POLYETHYLENE | |
| 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, ALUMINA | |
| Not suspected to be persistent | CETYL ALCOHOL | |
| 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 cardiovascular effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | CETYL ALCOHOL | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, | |
| 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), ALUMINA | |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, PEG-12 DIMETHICONE | |
| One or more animal studies show cardiovascular effects at very low doses | NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, MAGNESIUM SULFATE | |
| Possible human immune system toxicant | POLYETHYLENE |
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, ALUMINA | |
| 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 moderate doses | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | TETRASODIUM EDTA, | |
| One or more animal studies show significant but moderate pulmonary irritation at low doses | NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE | |
| 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) | POLYETHYLENE |
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) |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | STEARYL DIMETHICONE, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE | |
| Insufficient data to determine safety | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm) | |
| 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 | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, POLYETHYLENE, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, PEG-12 DIMETHICONE, CETYL ALCOHOL | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE, TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE, POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID, PEG-30 DIPOLYHYDROXYSTEARATE, NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), METHYLPROPANEDIOL, MAGNESIUM SULFATE, CETEARYL ISONONANOATE, ISOPROPYL TITANIUM TRIISOSTEARATE/TRIETHOXYCAPRYLYLSILANE COPOLYMER, CAPRYLIC/ CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, ALUMINA |
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 | ALUMINA | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | NANO ZINC OXIDE (20-60nm), | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | TETRASODIUM EDTA, NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE |
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 | NANO TITANIUM DIOXIDE | |
| One or more animal studies show biochemical changes at high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | MAGNESIUM SULFATE, POLYETHYLENE |
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