DESERT ESSENCE SUNSCREEN TOWELETTES, SPF 30
last updated: 03/15/09 brand: Desert Essence by Desert Essence
PRODUCT USES
sunscreen: SPF 15-30
COMPANY POLICIES
Compact for Safe Cosmetics
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Animal Testing Policy |
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Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown
| HIGH | UVB sunburn protection |
| MEDIUM | 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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| HOMOSALATE (7.5%) |
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| OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (7.5%) |
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| OCTISALATE (5%) |
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| OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) (6%) |
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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 |
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: ACTIVE INGREDIENTS: HOMOSALATE (7.5 %), OCTINOXATE (7.5 %), OCTISALATE (5 %), OXYBENZONE (6 %). INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: ETHYL ALCOHOL, JOJOBA, ACRYLATE COPOLYMET, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE (VITAMIN E), FRAGRANCE.
Directions from packaging: Apply liberally before sun exposure. Reapply as needed or after towel drying, swimming, or perspiring. Children under 6 months of age: ask a doctor.
Warnings from packaging: Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a poison control center right away. Flammable. Keep away from fire or flame. For external use only. When using this product - Keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove.
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ingredients
| score | data gap | concerns | |
| OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) (Active Ingredient) | 9 | 55% | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes |
| FRAGRANCE | 8 | 100% | Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous |
| OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) (Active Ingredient) | 6 | 65% | Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes |
| ETHANOL ETHYL ALCOHOL | 5 | 74% | Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards |
| TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | 4 | 81% | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE) |
| HOMOSALATE (Active Ingredient) | 4 | 74% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (SALICYLIC ACID, TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANOL) |
| OCTISALATE (Active Ingredient) | 3 | 68% | Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption |
| ACRYLATES COPOLYMER ACRYLATE COPOLYMET | 3 | 75% | Contamination concerns (METHACRYLIC ACID, ACRYLIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ACRYLATE) |
| SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) | 0 | 93% | none identified |
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 | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | |
| Cancer - limited evidence | ETHANOL |
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 moderate doses | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) | |
| Limited evidence of developmental toxicity | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity | ETHANOL |
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 | ACRYLATES COPOLYMER | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit) | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), OCTISALATE, HOMOSALATE |
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) |
| nervous system - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study | ETHANOL | |
| Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity | FRAGRANCE | |
| One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at high doses | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) |
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 studies show weak endocrine disruption | HOMOSALATE | |
| Human any disruptor - moderate evidence | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| Human any disruptor - strong evidence | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) |
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 human case studies show possible photoallergic effects | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), OCTISALATE | |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | |
| Possible human photoallergenic toxicant | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| Known human immune system toxicant | FRAGRANCE |
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 | ETHANOL | |
| Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in people | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) |
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 liver effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, | |
| One or more animal studies show cardiovascular effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | OCTISALATE | |
| Limited evidence of gastrointestinal or liver toxicity | ETHANOL |
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) |
| Occupational hazards related to handling | ETHANOL | |
| Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown | FRAGRANCE |
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 | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, ETHANOL | |
| Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available | ETHANOL |
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) |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | ETHANOL | |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE) |
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) |
| Not likely to be a skin irritant in humans | OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses | OCTISALATE, ETHANOL |
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 | SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) | |
| Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption | ACRYLATES COPOLYMER | |
| 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, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | OCTISALATE, HOMOSALATE, FRAGRANCE, ETHANOL |
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 high doses | ETHANOL |
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 high doses where the human health implications are not yet well understood | ETHANOL | |
| Does not produces excess reactive oxygen species or other harmful biochemical changes. | OCTISALATE | |
| Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease. | OCTINOXATE (OCTYL METHOXYCINNAMATE), OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) |
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