| Score |  Data: Limited |
| Health Concern | HIGH |
| Product Types | acne treatment; skin fading / lightener |
| Made by | Ambi by Ambi Products |
| Data last updated | April 2008 |
| how to read the score | |
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company policies | |
|---|---|
| Compact for Safe Cosmetics | Non-signer |
| Animal Testing Policy | UNKNOWN: As of EWG's last review, this company is not certified by PETA or Leaping Bunny as not testing on animals. |
Label Information | |
|---|---|
| Ingredients from packaging: | Active Ingredients: Salicylic Acid 1% ; Inactive Ingredients: Arachidyl Alcohol; Arachidyl Glucoside; Behenyl Alcohol; Benzalkonium Chloride; Benzyl Alcohol; BHT; Butylene Glycol; C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate; C13-14 Isoparaffin; Cetearyl Alcohol; Cetearyl Glucoside; Dimethicone; Disodium EDTA; Ethylene/Acrylic Acid Copolymer; Ethylparaben; Fragrance; Glycerin; Glycine Soja (Soybean) Protein; Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract; Isoceteth-20; Laureth-7; Methyl Gluceth-20; Methylparaben; PEG-16 Soy Sterol; Phenoxyethanol; Phenyl Trimethicone; Polyacrylamide; Polysorbate 20; PPG-10 Cetyl Ether; Propylparaben; Retinol; Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate; Tocopheryl Acetate; Water |
| Directions from packaging: | For external use onlyWhen using this product and other topical acne medications at the same time or immediately following use of the product, dryness or irritation of the skin may be increasedIf this occurs, only one medication should be used unless directed by a doctorAvoid contact with eyes; if contact occurs, flush thoroughly with waterKeep out of reach of childrenIf swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away |
| Warnings from packaging: | For external use only. When using this product: And other topical acne medications at the same time or immediately following use of this product, dryness or irritation of the skin may be increased. If this occurs, only one medication should be used unless directed by a doctor. Avoid contact with eyes. If contact occurs, flush thoroughly with water. Keep out of reach of children. If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. |
Where to purchase | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shop with EWG on Amazon.com | Amazon.com product page | |
ingredients |
concerns | score |
|---|---|---|
| FRAGRANCE | Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous |  Data: Fair |
| RETINOL (VITAMIN A) | Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes, Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| PEG-16 SOY STEROL | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Data gaps, Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE), Use restrictions |  Data: Limited |
| SALICYLIC ACID (Active Ingredient) | Cancer, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions | Data: Good |
| BENZYL ALCOHOL | Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards, Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Use restrictions | Data: Good |
| METHYLPARABEN | Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes |  Data: Fair |
| PROPYLPARABEN | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology | Data: Fair |
| BHT | Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) | Data: Fair |
| ETHYLPARABEN | Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity |  Data: Fair |
| TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Ecotoxicology, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE) | Data: Fair |
| PHENOXYETHANOL | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Use restrictions |  Data: Limited |
| LAURETH-7 | Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) | Data: Limited |
| ISOCETETH-20 | Ecotoxicology, Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) | Data: Limited |
| POLYSORBATE-20 | Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) | Data: Fair |
| DIMETHICONE | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Use restrictions | Data: Limited |
| ETHYLENE/ ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (METHACRYLIC ACID, ACRYLIC ACID, 2-ETHYLHEXYL ACRYLATE), Use restrictions | Data: Limited |
| POLYACRYLAMIDE | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Contamination concerns (ACRYLAMIDE), Use restrictions |  Data: Fair |
| ARACHIDYL ALCOHOL | Ecotoxicology |  Data: Limited |
| C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE | Ecotoxicology | Data: Limited |
| PPG-10 CETYL ETHER | Ecotoxicology | Data: Limited |
| C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) | Data: Limited |
| CETEARYL ALCOHOL | Ecotoxicology | Data: Limited |
| PHENYL TRIMETHICONE | Ecotoxicology | Data: Limited |
| BUTYLENE GLYCOL | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) | Data: Limited |
| DISODIUM EDTA | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Enhanced skin absorption | Data: Fair |
| ARACHIDYL GLUCOSIDE | None Identified |  Data: None |
| CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE | None Identified |  Data: Limited |
| GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) SEED EXTRACT | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| METHYL GLUCETH-20 | None Identified | Data: None |
| SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE | Data gaps | Data: Limited |
| GLYCERIN | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| GLYCINE SOJA PROTEIN GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) PROTEIN | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| BEHENYL ALCOHOL | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| WATER | Innocuous | Data: Robust |
Cancer**Listed below are cancer concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, BHT | |
| Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen | SALICYLIC ACID | |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at very low doses | RETINOL (VITAMIN A) | |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity**Listed below are developmental/reproductive toxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses | DISODIUM EDTA, | |
| One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses | BHT | |
| Limited evidence of developmental toxicity | RETINOL (VITAMIN A) | |
| One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses | PROPYLPARABEN | |
Neurotoxicity**Listed below are neurotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity | BENZYL ALCOHOL | |
| Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity | FRAGRANCE | |
Endocrine disruption**Listed below are endocrine disruption concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show endocrine disruption at high doses | BHT | |
| One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption | METHYLPARABEN | |
| One or more studies show significant wildlife and the environment disruption | PROPYLPARABEN | |
| Human endocrine disruptor - strong evidence | ETHYLPARABEN | |
Allergies/immunotoxicity**Listed below are allergies/immunotoxicity concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Associated with immunotoxicity | BENZYL ALCOHOL | |
| One or more human case studies show possible immune effects | PROPYLPARABEN | |
| Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity | PHENOXYETHANOL | |
| One or more human case studies show possible immune effects | METHYLPARABEN | |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | ETHYLPARABEN, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, BHT, BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE | |
| Known human immune system toxicant | FRAGRANCE | |
Persistence and bioaccumulation**Listed below are persistence and bioaccumulation concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Not suspected to be bioaccumulative | PPG-10 CETYL ETHER, WATER, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PROPYLPARABEN, POLYACRYLAMIDE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, ISOCETETH-20, GLYCERIN, ETHYLENE/ ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER, DISODIUM EDTA, DIMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BEHENYL ALCOHOL | |
| Not suspected to be persistent | PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, ETHYLPARABEN, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, ARACHIDYL ALCOHOL | |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | SALICYLIC ACID | |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)**Listed below are organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Classified as a low human health priority | WATER, POLYSORBATE-20, PHENOXYETHANOL, GLYCERIN | |
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | PPG-10 CETYL ETHER, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, ISOCETETH-20, GLYCINE SOJA PROTEIN, ETHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BEHENYL ALCOHOL, ARACHIDYL ALCOHOL | |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | POLYACRYLAMIDE, DIMETHICONE, ETHYLENE/ ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER, BENZYL ALCOHOL | |
| One or more animal studies show any effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN | |
| Limited evidence of skin toxicity | RETINOL (VITAMIN A), SALICYLIC ACID, PROPYLPARABEN, PEG-16 SOY STEROL, METHYLPARABEN, BHT | |
Miscellaneous**Listed below are miscellaneous concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown | FRAGRANCE | |
Multiple, additive exposure sources**Listed below are multiple, additive exposure sources concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | RETINOL (VITAMIN A), TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SALICYLIC ACID, PROPYLPARABEN, POLYSORBATE-20, POLYACRYLAMIDE, PEG-16 SOY STEROL, METHYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, DIMETHICONE, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BHT, BENZYL ALCOHOL | |
| Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available | SALICYLIC ACID | |
Ecotoxicology**Listed below are ecotoxicology concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Suspected to be an environmental toxin and be persistent or bioaccumulative (uncertainty in environmental toxicity or persistence/bioaccumulation) | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | |
| Suspected to be an environmental toxin and be persistent or bioaccumulative | POLYACRYLAMIDE, DIMETHICONE | |
| Uncertain environmental toxin and uncertain persistent or bioaccumulative | PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, BEHENYL ALCOHOL | |
| Suspected to be an environmental toxin | PPG-10 CETYL ETHER, ISOCETETH-20, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, ARACHIDYL ALCOHOL | |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | WATER, PROPYLPARABEN, POLYSORBATE-20, PHENOXYETHANOL, METHYLPARABEN, GLYCINE SOJA PROTEIN, GLYCERIN, ETHYLPARABEN, ETHYLENE/ ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER, DISODIUM EDTA, BUTYLENE GLYCOL | |
Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)**Listed below are irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| One or more animal studies show skin irritation at high doses | BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE | |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | BUTYLENE GLYCOL |
| Classified as irritant | PHENOXYETHANOL | |
Data gaps**Listed below are data gaps concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | ISOCETETH-20, PEG-16 SOY STEROL, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE | |
| Considered safe based on assumption of low absorption | ETHYLENE/ ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER, POLYACRYLAMIDE | |
| 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 | RETINOL (VITAMIN A), TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SODIUM ASCORBYL PHOSPHATE, POLYSORBATE-20, PROPYLPARABEN, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, PHENOXYETHANOL, ETHYLPARABEN, DISODIUM EDTA, PEG-16 SOY STEROL, METHYLPARABEN, DIMETHICONE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, BHT, BEHENYL ALCOHOL | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | METHYL GLUCETH-20, PPG-10 CETYL ETHER, GLYCINE SOJA PROTEIN, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) SEED EXTRACT, GLYCERIN, FRAGRANCE, CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE, C13-14 ISOPARAFFIN, C12-15 ALKYL BENZOATE, ARACHIDYL GLUCOSIDE, ARACHIDYL ALCOHOL | |
Occupational hazards**Listed below are occupational hazards concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | BENZYL ALCOHOL, PHENOXYETHANOL | |
Biochemical or cellular level changes**Listed below are biochemical or cellular level changes concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Interferes with gene expresion | METHYLPARABEN | |
| Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease. | RETINOL (VITAMIN A) | |
Use restrictions**Listed below are use restrictions concerns for the ingredients used by this manufacturer, drawn from Skin Deep data sources. Some concerns may be specific to how a product is used or formulated; product scores reflect those variances. |
||
|---|---|---|
| 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 | POLYACRYLAMIDE, BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE, BENZYL ALCOHOL, ETHYLENE/ ACRYLIC ACID COPOLYMER | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel | PEG-16 SOY STEROL | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | SALICYLIC ACID, RETINOL (VITAMIN A) | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Fragrance subject to restrictions: safe only within recommended use or concentration limitsn) | BENZYL ALCOHOL, DIMETHICONE, BENZYL ALCOHOL | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE | |
| Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Not safe for use on injured or damaged skin | products for use on damaged skin | PEG-16 SOY STEROL |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in some types of cosmetics (concentration limit) | BENZALKONIUM CHLORIDE, SALICYLIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL | |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications | SALICYLIC ACID | |
