| Score |  Data: Limited |
| Health Concern | HIGH |
| Product Type | skin fading / lightener |
| Made by | Skin Success by E.T. Browne Drug Co |
| Data last updated | October 2009 |
| how to read the score | |
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company policies | |
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| 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: Hydroquinone (2%), Octyl Salicylate (3%)Inactive Ingredients: Water (Deionized) (Aqua), Glyceryl Stearate, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Stearyl Stearate, Propylene Glycol, PEG 75 Lanolin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Ceteareth 20, PEG 100 Stearate, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Ascorbyl Palmitate (Vitamin C Palmitate), Citric Acid, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Imidazolidinyl Urea, Bilberry Extract (Vaccinum Myrtilus), Sugar Cane Extract (Saccharum Officarum), Sugar Maple Extract (Acer Saccharinum), Orange Extract (Citrus Aurantium Dulcis), Lemon Extract (Citrus Medica Limonum), Bearberry Extract (Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi), Sodium Sulfite, Sodium Metabisulfite, Xanthan Gum, Methylparaben, Disodium EDTA, Propylparaben, Corn Oil (Zea Mays), Glyceryl Oleate, BHA, BHT, T Butyl Hydroquinone, Fragrance (Parfum) |
| Warnings from packaging: | WarningsContains Hydroquinone. Avoid contact with eyes. Apply to small areas. If irritation develops, discontinue use. In case of severe irritation, consult a physician. Do not use on children under the age of 12 (unless directed by a physician). |
Where to purchase | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shop with EWG on Amazon.com | Amazon.com product page | |
ingredients |
concerns | score |
|---|---|---|
| HYDROQUINONE | Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Use restrictions | Data: Good |
| BHA | Cancer, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Use restrictions | Data: Robust |
| FRAGRANCE | Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous |  Data: Fair |
| CETEARETH-20 | Enhanced skin absorption, Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE), Use restrictions |  Data: Limited |
| PEG-75 LANOLIN | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Data gaps, Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) |  Data: Limited |
| PEG-100 STEARATE | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Data gaps, Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) | 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 |
| IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE) | Data: Limited |
| BHT | Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) | Data: Fair |
| SODIUM METABISULFITE | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards | Data: Fair |
| MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Neurotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) | Data: Limited |
| TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Ecotoxicology, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE) | Data: Fair |
| MINERAL OIL | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) | Data: Fair |
| DIMETHICONE | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Use restrictions | Data: Limited |
| OCTISALATE OCTYL SALICYLATE | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Ecotoxicology, Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions (meets restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data) |  Data: Fair |
| PROPYLENE GLYCOL | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| CITRIC ACID | Use restrictions | Data: Good |
| SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Ecotoxicology, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Use restrictions | Data: Good |
| T-BUTYL HYDROQUINONE | Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT ORANGE EXTRACT (CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS) | Multiple, additive exposure sources |  Data: Limited |
| ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE) | Ecotoxicology | Data: Limited |
| CETEARYL ALCOHOL | Ecotoxicology | Data: Limited |
| GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE GLYCERYL STEARATE | Ecotoxicology | Data: Limited |
| GLYCERYL OLEATE | Ecotoxicology, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) | Data: Limited |
| ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) | Data: Fair |
| SODIUM SULFITE | Allergies/immunotoxicity | Data: Fair |
| DISODIUM EDTA | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Enhanced skin absorption | Data: Fair |
| ACER SACCHARUM (SUGAR MAPLE) EXTRACT SUGAR MAPLE EXTRACT (ACER SACCHARINUM) | None Identified |  Data: Limited |
| ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI (BEARBERRY) LEAF EXTRACT BEARBERRY EXTRACT (ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA URSI) | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) EXTRACT LEMON EXTRACT (CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM) | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM (SUGAR CANE) EXTRACT SUGAR CANE EXTRACT (SACCHARUM OFFICARUM) | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS (BILBERRY) EXTRACT BILBERRY EXTRACT (VACCINUM MYRTILUS) | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| STEARYL STEARATE | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| XANTHAN GUM | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL CORN OIL (ZEA MAYS) | 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) |
| Possible carcinogen | BHA | |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at high doses | BHT, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | |
| Not likely to be carcinogenic in humans | T-BUTYL HYDROQUINONE | |
| Limited evidence of carcinogenicity | HYDROQUINONE | |
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 | BHT | |
| One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses | DISODIUM EDTA | |
| Limited evidence of reproductive toxicity | HYDROQUINONE | |
| One or more animal studies show any effects at low doses | PROPYLPARABEN | |
| Human nervous system toxicant - moderate evidence | MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE | |
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) |
| Moderate evidence of human neurotoxicity | FRAGRANCE | |
| Strong evidence of human neurotoxicity | MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, HYDROQUINONE | |
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. |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 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 | |
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, OCTISALATE, METHYLPARABEN | |
| Human immune system toxicant - moderate evidence | SODIUM SULFITE, SODIUM METABISULFITE | |
| Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity | PROPYLENE GLYCOL | |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, BHT, MINERAL OIL | |
| Known human immune system toxicant | IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, HYDROQUINONE, FRAGRANCE, 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, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, T-BUTYL HYDROQUINONE, STEARYL STEARATE, SODIUM SULFITE, SODIUM METABISULFITE, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, PROPYLPARABEN, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, DIMETHICONE | |
| Not suspected to be persistent | PEG-100 STEARATE, OCTISALATE, METHYLPARABEN, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, HYDROQUINONE, GLYCERYL OLEATE, CITRIC ACID, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETEARETH-20, BHA, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE) | |
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, XANTHAN GUM, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SODIUM SULFITE | |
| Classified as medium human health priority | SODIUM METABISULFITE | |
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | WATER, T-BUTYL HYDROQUINONE, STEARYL STEARATE, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT, OCTISALATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, GLYCERYL OLEATE, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, CETEARETH-20, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE) | |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, MINERAL OIL, DIMETHICONE | |
| Limited evidence of sense organ toxicity | PEG-75 LANOLIN, PEG-100 STEARATE, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, BHT, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE | |
| One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at low doses | HYDROQUINONE | |
| Known human any toxicant | BHA | |
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) |
| Occupational hazards related to handling | SODIUM METABISULFITE | |
| 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 | PEG-75 LANOLIN, PEG-100 STEARATE, XANTHAN GUM, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, T-BUTYL HYDROQUINONE, SODIUM SULFITE, SODIUM METABISULFITE, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, PROPYLPARABEN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT, MINERAL OIL, METHYLPARABEN, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, GLYCERYL OLEATE, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, DIMETHICONE, CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, BHT, BHA, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE) | |
| Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available | CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT | |
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 | PEG-100 STEARATE | |
| Uncertain environmental toxin and uncertain persistent or bioaccumulative | STEARYL STEARATE | |
| Suspected to be an environmental toxin and be persistent or bioaccumulative | DIMETHICONE | |
| 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 | SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, GLYCERYL OLEATE, HYDROQUINONE, OCTISALATE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE) | |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | ZEA MAYS (CORN) OIL, XANTHAN GUM, WATER, T-BUTYL HYDROQUINONE, SODIUM SULFITE, SODIUM METABISULFITE, PROPYLPARABEN, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT, METHYLPARABEN, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, CETEARETH-20, 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) | ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE |
| Classified as irritant | SODIUM METABISULFITE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL | |
| Human any irritant - strong evidence | products for use around the eyes, on the skin, or may be aerosolized (airborne) | GLYCERYL OLEATE |
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 | PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-100 STEARATE | |
| 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 | PEG-75 LANOLIN, PEG-100 STEARATE, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SODIUM SULFITE, SODIUM METABISULFITE, PROPYLPARABEN, METHYLPARABEN, MAGNESIUM ALUMINUM SILICATE, ISOPROPYL MYRISTATE, IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, GLYCERYL OLEATE, GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE, DISODIUM EDTA, DIMETHICONE, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, BHT, BHA | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | XANTHAN GUM | |
| 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 | ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE) | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | MINERAL OIL, CITRUS AURANTIUM DULCIS (ORANGE) FRUIT EXTRACT, SACCHARUM OFFICINARUM (SUGAR CANE) EXTRACT, VACCINIUM MYRTILLUS (BILBERRY) EXTRACT, ARCTOSTAPHYLOS UVA-URSI (BEARBERRY) LEAF EXTRACT, CITRIC ACID, CITRUS MEDICA LIMONUM (LEMON) EXTRACT, FRAGRANCE, ACER SACCHARUM (SUGAR MAPLE) EXTRACT | |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | PEG-75 LANOLIN | |
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. |
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|---|---|---|
| type of concern | product conditions | ingredient(s) |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | SODIUM METABISULFITE | |
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. |
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|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
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) |
| 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 - Safe for brief discontinuous use followed by thorough rinsing | products that are intended to be left on the skin | HYDROQUINONE |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | CITRIC ACID, HYDROQUINONE, T-BUTYL HYDROQUINONE | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Product type restrictions or differences noted in safety assessment by industry panel | DIMETHICONE | |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - any | HYDROQUINONE, CETEARETH-20, HYDROQUINONE, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, SODIUM LAURYL SULFATE, T-BUTYL HYDROQUINONE | |
