| Score |  Data: Limited |
| Health Concern | HIGH |
| Product Types | exfoliant / scrub; facial moisturizer / treatment |
| Made by | Dr. Dennis Gross by MD Skincare LLC |
| Data last updated | November 1999 |
| how to read the score | |
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company policies | |
|---|---|
| Compact for Safe Cosmetics | Non-signer |
| Animal Testing Policy | This company does not test on animals, according to its certification. |
Label Information | |
|---|---|
| Ingredients from packaging: | Purified Water (Aqua Purificata), Alcohol Denat., Glycolic Acid, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Potassium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Polysorbate 20, Citric Acid, Lactic Acid, Malic Acid, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Disodium EDTA, Copper PCA, Zinc PCA, Fragrance (Parfum), Sodium Benzoate., Purified Water (Aqua Purificata), Sodium Bicarbonate, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Retinyl Palmitate, Retinol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Resveratrol, Ubiquinone, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Soy Isoflavones, Phospholipids, Copper PCA, Sodium PCA, Zinc PCA, Simethicone, Octoxynol-9, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol. |
| Directions from packaging: | 10 Applications:-Apply to clean, dry skin.-Swipe Step 1 pad over face, from forehead downward to neck in semi-circular strokes.-Avoid contact with eyes and lips.-Continue to apply evenly until pad feels dry.-Wait 2 minutes.-Follow with Step 2.-Swipe Step 2 pad over the face with the same technique as Step 1.-Do not rinse or use products containing alcohol.-Allow skin to dry. |
| Warnings from packaging: | 10 Applications:-Sunburn Alert: This product contains an alpha hydroxyl acid (AHA) that may increase your skin's sensitivity to the sun and particularly the possibility of sunburn. Use a sunscreen and limit sun exposure while using this product and for a week afterwards. |
Where to purchase | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shop with EWG on Amazon.com | Amazon.com product page | |
ingredients |
concerns | score |
|---|---|---|
| FRAGRANCE | Neurotoxicity, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Miscellaneous |  Data: Fair |
| RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE) | Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes, Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| RETINOL (VITAMIN A) | Cancer, Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Biochemical or cellular level changes, Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| OCTOXYNOL-9 | Endocrine disruption, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Ecotoxicology, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Data gaps, Contamination concerns (C9 PHENOLS, ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE, C9 PHENOLS), Use restrictions |  Data: Good |
| SALICYLIC ACID | Cancer, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption, Use restrictions |  Data: Good |
| TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | Cancer, Allergies/immunotoxicity, Ecotoxicology, Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE) |  Data: Fair |
| MALIC ACID | Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| LACTIC ACID | Cancer, Use restrictions | Data: Good |
| PHENOXYETHANOL | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs), Occupational hazards, Use restrictions |  Data: Limited |
| POLYSORBATE-20 | Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE, 1,4-DIOXANE) | Data: Fair |
| GLYCOLIC ACID | Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| TETRASODIUM EDTA | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Enhanced skin absorption, Occupational hazards |  Data: Fair |
| ZINC PCA | Allergies/immunotoxicity, Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) | Data: Limited |
| SD ALCOHOL 1 ALCOHOL DENAT. | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Multiple, additive exposure sources, Enhanced skin absorption | Data: Limited |
| CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT | Use restrictions | Data: Fair |
| CITRIC ACID | Use restrictions | Data: Good |
| ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE) | Ecotoxicology |  Data: Limited |
| COPPER PCA | Persistence and bioaccumulation, Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive) | Data: Limited |
| DISODIUM EDTA | Developmental/reproductive toxicity, Enhanced skin absorption | Data: Fair |
| POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Occupational hazards | Data: Fair |
| SODIUM PCA | Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES-in the presence of nitrosating agents), Use restrictions | Data: Limited |
| SODIUM BENZOATE | Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive), Use restrictions | Data: Limited |
| HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA (WITCH HAZEL) LEAF EXTRACT | None Identified |  Data: Limited |
| ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM (COMMON YARROW) ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM EXTRACT | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| SOY ISOFLAVONES | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| RESVERATROL | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| UBIQUINONE | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| PHOSPHOLIPIDS | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| SIMETHICONE | None Identified | Data: Limited |
| SODIUM BICARBONATE | None Identified | Data: Fair |
| ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) | Data gaps | 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 | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | |
| One or more animal studies show tumor formation at very low doses | RETINOL (VITAMIN A) | |
| One or more in vitro tests non-mammalian cells show positive mutation results | RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE) | |
| Cancer - not classifiable/not likely to be human carcinogen | LACTIC ACID, SALICYLIC 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 reproductive effects at high doses | RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE) | |
| One or more animal studies show developmental effects at high doses | DISODIUM EDTA | |
| Limited evidence of developmental toxicity | RETINOL (VITAMIN A) | |
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 | |
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) |
| Limited evidence of endocrine disruption | OCTOXYNOL-9 | |
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) |
| Limited evidence of immune system toxicity | ZINC PCA | |
| Limited evidence of skin and immune system toxicity | PHENOXYETHANOL | |
| Known human immune system toxicant | FRAGRANCE | |
| Human skin toxicant - strong evidence | OCTOXYNOL-9, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE | |
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 | WATER, SODIUM PCA, TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), MALIC ACID, OCTOXYNOL-9, DISODIUM EDTA, GLYCOLIC ACID | |
| Not suspected to be persistent | LACTIC ACID, PHENOXYETHANOL, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE), CITRIC ACID | |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | ZINC PCA | |
| Not suspected to be persistent | ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) | |
| Persistent, bioaccumulative in wildlife | COPPER PCA, 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, SODIUM BICARBONATE, POLYSORBATE-20, PHENOXYETHANOL, MALIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, GLYCOLIC ACID | |
| Classified as medium human health priority | POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE | |
| Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmful | TOCOPHERYL ACETATE, SODIUM PCA, SODIUM BENZOATE, DISODIUM EDTA, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), CITRIC ACID, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE), ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) | |
| Classified as expected to be toxic or harmful | TETRASODIUM EDTA, OCTOXYNOL-9 | |
| One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | ZINC PCA, COPPER PCA | |
| Limited evidence of skin toxicity | RETINOL (VITAMIN A), SALICYLIC ACID, SD ALCOHOL 1 | |
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 | SD ALCOHOL 1 | |
| Ingredient not fully labeled - identity unknown | FRAGRANCE | |
| Occupational hazards related to handling | POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE | |
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, TETRASODIUM EDTA, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SALICYLIC ACID, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, POLYSORBATE-20, MALIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE), ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) | |
| Used in food or as an additive with limited or no toxicity information available | SD ALCOHOL 1, SALICYLIC ACID, OCTOXYNOL-9 | |
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 | |
| Uncertain environmental toxin and uncertain persistent or bioaccumulative | RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE) | |
| Suspected to be an environmental toxin | OCTOXYNOL-9, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE) | |
| Not suspected to be an environmental toxin | WATER, SODIUM PCA, SODIUM BICARBONATE, SODIUM BENZOATE, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, POLYSORBATE-20, PHENOXYETHANOL, MALIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, GLYCOLIC ACID, DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) | |
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) | OCTOXYNOL-9, MALIC ACID |
| 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 | ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) | |
| 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 | SD ALCOHOL 1 | |
| Safety assessment was based on related chemical | OCTOXYNOL-9 | |
| 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, TETRASODIUM EDTA, SODIUM BICARBONATE, POLYSORBATE-20, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), PHENOXYETHANOL, OCTOXYNOL-9, DISODIUM EDTA, ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE), ASCORBIC ACID (VITAMIN C) | |
| Not assessed for safety in cosmetics by industry panel | SOY ISOFLAVONES, ZINC PCA, UBIQUINONE, SIMETHICONE, RESVERATROL, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE, PHOSPHOLIPIDS, HAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA (WITCH HAZEL) LEAF EXTRACT, FRAGRANCE, COPPER PCA, CITRIC ACID, CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT | |
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) |
| No workplace limits set | GLYCOLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, POTASSIUM HYDROXIDE | |
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to low doses | PHENOXYETHANOL, TETRASODIUM EDTA | |
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) |
| 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), RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE) | |
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 - Restrictions on impurities recommended by industry safety panel | OCTOXYNOL-9 | |
| Recommended restricted in cosmetics - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Safe for use as a pH adjuster, insufficient data to support safety of other uses, according to industry safety panel | MALIC ACID, CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Use is restricted in Canadian cosmetics | RETINOL (VITAMIN A), SALICYLIC ACID, RETINYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN A PALMITATE), MALIC ACID, GLYCOLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, SALICYLIC ACID, CITRIC ACID | |
| Violation of industry recommendations - Restricted in cosmetics; use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Allowable pH limits | GLYCOLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID | |
| Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit) | PHENOXYETHANOL | |
| Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualifications | GLYCOLIC ACID, LACTIC ACID, MALIC ACID, SALICYLIC ACID, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM PCA | |
