| Score |  Data: Fair |
| Health Concern | MODERATE |
| Product Type | hemorrhoids |
| Made by | Preparation H by Wyeth Consumer Products |
| Data last updated | August 2007 |
| 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: MINERAL OIL 14% (PROTECTANT), PETROLATUM 71.9% (PROTECTANT), PHENYLEPHRINE HCI 0.25% (VASOCONSTRICTOR), SHARK LIVER OIL 3.0% (PROTECTANT). INACTIVE INGREDIENTS: BEESWAX, BENZOIC ACID, BHA, CORN OIL, GLYCERIN, LANOLIN, LANOLIN ALCOHOL, METHYLPARABEN, PARAFFIN, PROPYLPARABEN, THYME OIL, TOCOPHEROL, WATER. |
| Directions from packaging: | Adults: When practical, cleanse the affected area by patting or blotting with an appropriate cleansing wipe. Gently dry by patting or blotting with tissue or a soft cloth before applying ointment. Apply to the affected area up to 4 times daily, especially at night, in the morning or after each bowel movement. For Intrarectal use: Remove protective cover from applicator, attach applicator to tube, lubricate applicator well, then gently insert applicator into the rectum; thoroughly cleanse applicator after each use and replace protective cover. Also apply ointment to external area. Regular use provides continual therapy for relief of symptoms. Children under 12 years of age: ask a doctor. |
| Warnings from packaging: | For external and/or intrarectal use only. Ask a doctor before use if you have: + heart disease. + high blood pressure. + thyroid disease. + diabetes. + difficulty in urination due to enlargement of the prostate gland. Ask a doctor of pharmacist before use if you are presently taking a prescription drug for high blood pressure or depression. Stop use and ask a doctor if: + bleeding occurs. + condition worsens or does not improve within 7 days. + introduction of applicator into the rectum causes additional pain. If pregnant or breast-feeding, ask a health professional before use. Keep out of reach of children . If swallowed, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center right away. Tamper-Evident: If outer wrap imprinted 'Preparation H' is broken or missing or if the tear strip is missing when purchased, do not use. |
Where to purchase | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shop with EWG on Amazon.com | Amazon.com product page | |
ingredients |
concerns | score |
|---|---|---|
| BHA | Cancer, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Use restrictions |  Data: Robust |
| 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 |
| LANOLIN | Allergies/immunotoxicity | Data: Fair |
| LANOLIN ALCOHOL | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |  Data: Limited |
| MINERAL OIL (Active Ingredient) | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) | Data: Fair |
| BENZOIC ACID | Cancer, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Use restrictions | Data: Good |
| PETROLATUM (Active Ingredient) | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (PAHS) |  Data: Fair |
| TOCOPHEROL | Cancer, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE) | Data: Fair |
| PARAFFIN | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |  Data: Fair |
| PHENYLEPHRINE HCL PHENYLEPHRINE HCI (VASOCONSTRICTOR) (Active Ingredient) | None Identified |  Data: Limited |
| SHARK LIVER OIL (Active Ingredient) | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| GLYCERIN | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| THYMUS VULGARIS (COMMON THYME) OIL | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| BEESWAX | 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) |
| Possible carcinogen | BHA | |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses | TOCOPHEROL | |
| Not likely to be carcinogenic in humans | BENZOIC ACID | |
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 any effects at low doses | PROPYLPARABEN | |
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) |
| endocrine - weight of evidence unknown/unassessed/unreview: published lit review or major tox study | BHA | |
| One or more studies show weak endocrine disruption | METHYLPARABEN | |
| One or more studies show significant wildlife and the environment disruption | PROPYLPARABEN | |
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) |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | LANOLIN ALCOHOL | |
| One or more human case studies show possible immune effects | METHYLPARABEN, PROPYLPARABEN | |
| Human immune and respiratory toxicant - strong evidence | MINERAL OIL | |
| Known human immune system toxicant | LANOLIN, BHA | |
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 | ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL, WATER, TOCOPHEROL, PROPYLPARABEN, PETROLATUM, GLYCERIN | |
| Not suspected to be persistent | METHYLPARABEN, LANOLIN, BHA, BENZOIC 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 | ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL, WATER, GLYCERIN | |
| Classified as medium human health priority | LANOLIN ALCOHOL | |
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | TOCOPHEROL, THYMUS VULGARIS (COMMON THYME) OIL, LANOLIN, BENZOIC ACID, BEESWAX | |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | PETROLATUM, PARAFFIN, MINERAL OIL | |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN | |
| Known human any toxicant | BHA | |
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) |
| Uncertain environmental toxin and uncertain persistent or bioaccumulative | LANOLIN | |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL, WATER, TOCOPHEROL, THYMUS VULGARIS (COMMON THYME) OIL, PROPYLPARABEN, PETROLATUM, METHYLPARABEN, LANOLIN ALCOHOL, GLYCERIN, BHA, BENZOIC ACID, BEESWAX | |
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 human occupational studies show possible skin irritation | BENZOIC ACID | |
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) |
| 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 | TOCOPHEROL | |
| Insufficient data to determine safety | BENZOIC ACID | |
| 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 | PROPYLPARABEN, PARAFFIN, METHYLPARABEN, LANOLIN, LANOLIN ALCOHOL, BEESWAX, BHA | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | THYMUS VULGARIS (COMMON THYME) OIL, SHARK LIVER OIL, PHENYLEPHRINE HCL, PETROLATUM, MINERAL OIL, GLYCERIN | |
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 | |
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) |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit) | BENZOIC ACID | |
| Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics | BHA | |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications | BENZOIC ACID | |
