EWG's Sunscreen Investigation 2009 Donate

CVS BABY SUNSCREEN LOTION, SPF 50

last updated: 03/15/09 brand: CVS by CVS Corporation

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.



Sunscreen effectiveness* breakdown

HIGHUVB sunburn protection
MEDIUMUVA protection
HIGHsunscreen 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
blocking strength

Product total
AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE) (3%) 
HOMOSALATE (13%) 
OCTISALATE (5%) 
OCTOCRYLENE (7%) 
OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3) (4%) 

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:
noCancer
yesDevelopmental/reproductive toxicity
yesViolations, restrictions & warnings
yesAllergies/immunotoxicity
yesOther concerns for ingredients used in this product:
Neurotoxicity, Endocrine disruption, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Miscellaneous, 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: Avobenzone 3.0%; Homosalate 13.0%; Octisalate 5.0%; Octocrylene 7.0%; Oxybenzone 4.0% ; Inactive Ingredients: Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate; Benzyl Alcohol; Carbomer; Dimethicone; Disodium EDTA; Fragrance; Methylparaben; Polyglyceryl-3 Distearate; Propylparaben; Sorbitan Isostearate; Sorbitol; Stearic Acid; Tocopherol; Triethanolamine; VP/Eicosene Copolymer; Water

Directions from packaging: For external use only. When using this product: keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove. Stop use and ask a doctor if: rash or irritation develops and lasts. Keep out of the reach of children. If swallowed get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away.

Warnings from packaging: For external use only. When using this product: keep out of eyes. Rinse with water to remove. Stop use and ask a doctor if: rash or irritation develops and lasts. Keep out of the 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
METHYLPARABEN1063%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Biochemical or cellular level changes
ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE974%Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (ARSENIC, LEAD, HEAVY METALS)
OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
(Active Ingredient)
955%Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Violations, restrictions & warnings, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Enhanced skin absorption, Biochemical or cellular level changes
FRAGRANCE8100%Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous
BENZYL ALCOHOL664%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards
TRIETHANOLAMINE658%Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES), Occupational hazards
PROPYLPARABEN571%Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
HOMOSALATE
(Active Ingredient)
474%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (SALICYLIC ACID, TRIMETHYLCYCLOHEXANOL)
OCTISALATE
(Active Ingredient)
368%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption
DISODIUM EDTA378%Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption
DIMETHICONE274%Violations, restrictions & warnings
OCTOCRYLENE
(Active Ingredient)
371%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Biochemical or cellular level changes
TOCOPHEROL287%Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
STEARIC ACID274%Neurotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)
(Active Ingredient)
273%Violations, restrictions & warnings, Contamination concerns (BENZOIC ACID, 4-T-BUTYLBENZOIC ACID, BENZALDEHYDE, P-ANISIC ACID, ACETOPHENONE, DIBENZOYLMETHANE)
SORBITOL188%none identified
POLYGLYCERYL-3 DISTEARATE0100%none identified
SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE099%none identified
VP/ EICOSENE COPOLYMER094%none identified
CARBOMER093%none identified
WATER00%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   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results   SORBITOL, TOCOPHEROL, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, BENZYL ALCOHOL,
One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results   AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)
Not likely to be carcinogenic in humans   STEARIC ACID
Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen   TRIETHANOLAMINE

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   DISODIUM EDTA, BENZYL ALCOHOL
Limited evidence of developmental toxicity   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses   PROPYLPARABEN
Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence   ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE

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   TRIETHANOLAMINE, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL
Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Fragrance subject to restrictions: safe only within recommended use or concentration limitsn)   BENZYL ALCOHOL, BENZYL ALCOHOL, DIMETHICONE
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)   OCTOCRYLENE, OCTISALATE, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), HOMOSALATE
Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics   METHYLPARABEN
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)   AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)

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   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at moderate doses   METHYLPARABEN
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at very low doses   STEARIC ACID
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity   BENZYL ALCOHOL
One or more animal studies show brain and nervous system effects at low doses   DISODIUM EDTA
Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity   ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE
Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity   FRAGRANCE

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 animal studies show endocrine system disruption at high doses   TRIETHANOLAMINE, DISODIUM EDTA
One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption   HOMOSALATE
Human any disruptor - moderate evidence   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
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)
Associated with immunotoxicity   AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)
One or more human case studies show possible immune effects   OCTISALATE, BENZYL ALCOHOL
Human skin toxicant - strong evidence   PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN
Possible human photoallergenic toxicant   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
Known human immune system toxicant   TRIETHANOLAMINE, 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   TRIETHANOLAMINE
Ingredient is suspected or measured to accumulate in people   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
Found to be persistent and bioaccumulative in wildlife   OCTOCRYLENE

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 metabolic effects at high doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient)   BENZYL ALCOHOL, OCTOCRYLENE, SORBITOL, STEARIC ACID
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 sense organ toxicity   PROPYLPARABEN, ALUMINUM STARCH OCTENYLSUCCINATE
One or more animal studies show broad systemic effects at low doses   DISODIUM EDTA
Possible human immune system toxicant   TRIETHANOLAMINE
Known human any toxicant   METHYLPARABEN

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)
Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown   FRAGRANCE

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   TRIETHANOLAMINE
Wildlife and environmental toxicity   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), OCTOCRYLENE
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)
Not likely to be a skin irritant in humans   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3)
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses   STEARIC ACID, OCTISALATE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at very low doses   TRIETHANOLAMINE
One or more animal studies show skin irritation at low doses   BENZYL ALCOHOL, METHYLPARABEN

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   SORBITAN ISOSTEARATE, TOCOPHEROL, STEARIC ACID, PROPYLPARABEN, OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), METHYLPARABEN, DIMETHICONE, DISODIUM EDTA
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel   POLYGLYCERYL-3 DISTEARATE, VP/ EICOSENE COPOLYMER, 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   CARBOMER
Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel   FRAGRANCE, OCTOCRYLENE, OCTISALATE, HOMOSALATE, AVOBENZONE (PARSOL 1789 | BUTYL METHOXYDIBENZOYLMETHANE)

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 low doses   BENZYL ALCOHOL
Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses   TRIETHANOLAMINE

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
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.   OXYBENZONE (BENZOPHENONE-3), OCTOCRYLENE

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