| Score |  Data: Limited |
| Health Concern | MODERATE |
| Product Type | hemorrhoids |
| Made by | Preparation H by Wyeth Consumer Products |
| Data last updated | February 2010 |
| 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 | |
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| Ingredients from packaging: | Active Ingredients: Glycerin USP (14.4%), Phenylephrine HCl USP (0.25%), Pramoxine HCl USP (1%), White Petrolatum USP (15%). Inactive Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, BHA, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium, Cetyl Alcohol, Citric Acid, Edetate Disodium, Glyceryl Stearate, Laureth-23, Methylparaben, Mineral Oil, Panthenol, Propyl Gallate, Propylene Glycol, Propylparaben, Purified Water, Sodium Benzoate, Steareth-2, Steareth-20, Stearyl Alcohol, Tocopherol, Vitamin E, Xanthan Gum. |
| 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 a tissue or a soft cloth before applying cream; When first opening the tube, puncture foil seal with top end of cap. Apply externally or in the lower portion of the anal canal only. Apply externally to the affected area up to 4 times daily, especially at night, in the morning or after each bowel movement. For Application in the Lower Anal Canal: Remove cover from dispensing cap. Attach dispensing cap to tube. Lubricate dispensing cap well, then gently insert dispensing cap partway into the anus. Thoroughly cleanse dispensing cap after each use and replace cover. Children Under 12 Years of Age: Ask a doctor. Store at 20-25 degrees C (68-77 degrees F). |
| Warnings from packaging: | For external 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 or pharmacist before use if you are presently taking a prescription drug for high blood pressure or depression. When using this product do not exceed the recommended daily dosage unless directed by a doctor; do not put into the rectum by using fingers or any mechanical device or applicator. Stop use and ask a doctor if bleeding occurs; condition worsens or does not improve within 7 days; an allergic reaction develops; the symptom being treated does not subside or if redness, irritation, swelling, pain or other symptoms develop or increase. 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: Do not use if tube sealed under cap embossed with H is broken or missing. |
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 |
| STEARETH-2 | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Data gaps, Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE), Use restrictions | Data: Limited |
| STEARETH-20 | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Data gaps, Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE), Use restrictions | Data: Limited |
| 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 |
| LAURETH-23 | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Data gaps, Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |  Data: Fair |
| MINERAL OIL | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) |  Data: Fair |
| PROPYL GALLATE | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Occupational hazards, Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| PROPYLENE GLYCOL | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| WHITE PETROLATUM (Active Ingredient) | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Contamination concerns (PAHS) |  Data: Fair |
| TOCOPHEROL | Cancer, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE) | Data: Fair |
| CITRIC ACID | Use restrictions | Data: Good |
| CETYL ALCOHOL | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology |  Data: Limited |
| GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE GLYCERYL STEARATE | Ecotoxicology | Data: Limited |
| PANTHENOL | Multiple, additive exposure sources | Data: Limited |
| STEARYL ALCOHOL | Ecotoxicology, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) | Data: Limited |
| DISODIUM EDTA EDETATE DISODIUM | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Enhanced skin absorption | Data: Fair |
| ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF EXTRACT ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT | Use restrictions | Data: Limited |
| SODIUM BENZOATE | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Use restrictions | Data: Limited |
| PHENYLEPHRINE HCL (Active Ingredient) | None Identified |  Data: Limited |
| GLYCERIN (Active Ingredient) | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| PRAMOXINE HCL (Active Ingredient) | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| XANTHAN GUM | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| CELLULOSE GUM CARBOXYMETHYLCELLULOSE SODIUM | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| 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 | TOCOPHEROL | |
| Possible carcinogen | BHA | |
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) |
| Not likely to be a any toxicant in humans | PROPYLENE GLYCOL | |
| One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses | DISODIUM EDTA | |
| 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) |
| One or more human case studies show possible immune effects | PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN | |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | PROPYL GALLATE | |
| Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity | PROPYLENE GLYCOL | |
| Human immune and respiratory toxicant - strong evidence | MINERAL OIL | |
| Known human immune system toxicant | 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 | STEARETH-20, WHITE PETROLATUM, WATER, TOCOPHEROL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, PROPYLPARABEN, PRAMOXINE HCL, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, GLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, CETYL ALCOHOL | |
| Not suspected to be persistent | STEARETH-2, PANTHENOL, PROPYL GALLATE, BHA, CITRIC ACID, LAURETH-23, METHYLPARABEN | |
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 | XANTHAN GUM, WATER, GLYCERIN | |
| Classified as a high human health priority | WHITE PETROLATUM | |
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | STEARETH-20, TOCOPHEROL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, PROPYL GALLATE, PRAMOXINE HCL, PANTHENOL, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, CELLULOSE GUM | |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | PROPYLENE GLYCOL, MINERAL OIL, LAURETH-23, CETYL ALCOHOL | |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | STEARETH-2, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN | |
| Known human any toxicant | BHA | |
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 | STEARETH-20, STEARETH-2, XANTHAN GUM, WHITE PETROLATUM, TOCOPHEROL, STEARYL ALCOHOL, SODIUM BENZOATE, PROPYLPARABEN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PROPYL GALLATE, MINERAL OIL, METHYLPARABEN, LAURETH-23, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, GLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, CETYL ALCOHOL, CELLULOSE GUM, BHA | |
| Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available | PANTHENOL | |
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 | STEARETH-20, STEARETH-2, STEARYL ALCOHOL, LAURETH-23, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, CETYL ALCOHOL | |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | XANTHAN GUM, WHITE PETROLATUM, WATER, TOCOPHEROL, SODIUM BENZOATE, PROPYLPARABEN, PROPYL GALLATE, PRAMOXINE HCL, PANTHENOL, METHYLPARABEN, GLYCERIN, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, CELLULOSE GUM, BHA | |
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) |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | STEARYL ALCOHOL, LAURETH-23 |
| Classified as skin irritant | PROPYLENE GLYCOL | |
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 | STEARETH-20, STEARETH-2, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, LAURETH-23 | |
| Missing safety data noted by cosmetic industry review | ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF EXTRACT | |
| 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, STEARETH-20, STEARETH-2, STEARYL ALCOHOL, PROPYLPARABEN, PANTHENOL, METHYLPARABEN, LAURETH-23, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, CETYL ALCOHOL, CELLULOSE GUM, BHA | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | XANTHAN GUM, WHITE PETROLATUM, PRAMOXINE HCL, PHENYLEPHRINE HCL, MINERAL OIL, GLYCERIN, CITRIC ACID | |
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 | PROPYL GALLATE | |
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 - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | CITRIC ACID | |
| 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 | STEARETH-20 |
| Violation of government restrictions - Banned or found unsafe for use in cosmetics | BHA | |
| 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 | STEARETH-2 |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications | ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF EXTRACT, PROPYL GALLATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM BENZOATE | |
