EWG's
Skin Deep®
Menu Close Menu

Menu

GET THE GUIDE

BENZOIC ACID

image source: PubChem

Click here for all products containing this ingredient

Score:

Data: Good

  • Other Concerns
  • Functions
  • About the Chemical
  • Synonyms

  • Use restrictions (moderate) and Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)

Cancer

Cancer concern is LOW

Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity

Developmental & reproductive toxicity concern is LOW

Allergies & Immunotoxicity

Allergies & immunotoxicity concern is LOW

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
foundation88 products
shampoo78 products
lipstick56 products
concealer51 products
facial moisturizer/treatment50 products
conditioner46 products
mouthwash44 products
facial cleanser37 products
moisturizer28 products
makeup remover27 products
body wash/cleanser25 products
mascara24 products
serums & essences22 products
mask21 products
hair treatment/serum19 products
lip gloss17 products
toners/astringents16 products
hand cream16 products
beach & sport sunscreen16 products
exfoliant/scrub14 products
moisturizer with SPF14 products
eye shadow14 products
brow liner13 products
styling gel/lotion13 products
body firming lotion11 products
around-eye cream9 products
lip liner9 products
toothpaste9 products
hair styling aide8 products
after shave7 products
baby wipes7 products
lip balm6 products
lip plumper6 products
blush6 products
baby shampoo5 products
beard cleanser5 products
eye makeup remover5 products
eye liner5 products
baby lotion4 products
baby soap4 products
4 products
lip balm with SPF3 products
bronzer/highlighter3 products
beard care3 products
hair color and bleaching3 products
fragrance for women3 products
liquid hand soap3 products
bath oil/salts/soak2 products
hair spray2 products
bar soap2 products
detangler2 products
after sun product2 products
makeup primer2 products
foot moisturizer1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)1 products
shaving cream1 products
oil controller1 products
skin fading/lightener1 products
body oil1 products
beard oil1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant1 products
tooth whitening1 products
shaving cream (men's)1 products
styling mousse/foam1 products
other eye makeup1 products
baby oil1 products
baby bubble bath1 products

Use restrictions

Expand content Collapse content
Concern Reference
Restricted in cosmetics (recommendations or requirements) - use, concentration, or manufacturing restrictions - Japan - restricted for use in cosmetics (concentration limit)Japan's Standards for Cosmetics
Determined safe for use in cosmetics, subject to concentration or use limitations - Safe for use in cosmetics with some qualificationsIJT 20(S3):23-50, 2001 reopened 06/10

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

Expand content Collapse content
Concern Reference
Limited evidence of sense organ toxicityHarvell, J, Bason M, Maibach H 1994. Contact Urticaria and its Mechanisms. Food Chemistry and Toxicology 32(2): 103-112. (Table 2: Substances identified as capable of causing contact urticaria)., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Classified as a low human health priorityEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

Expand content Collapse content
Concern Reference
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 productIJT 20(S3):23-50, 2001 reopened 06/10
Insufficient data to determine safetyEPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Evidence for human carcinogenicity based on 1986 guidelines.
16719 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemicalNLM PubMed

Cancer

Expand content Collapse content
Concern Reference
Limited or incomplete evidence of cancer according to safety/hazard data – government assessment cannot classify as human carcinogen due to data gapsEPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Evidence for human carcinogenicity based on 1986 guidelines.
Not likely to be carcinogenic in humansauthor communication

Ecotoxicology

Expand content Collapse content
Concern Reference
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Multiple, additive exposure sources

Expand content Collapse content
Concern Reference
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodFDA Food Additive Status
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodFDA Everything Added to Food

Informational

Expand content Collapse content
Concern Reference
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyIJT 36(Suppl 3):5-30, 2017; original IJT 20(S3):23-50, 2001

Persistence and bioaccumulation

Expand content Collapse content
Concern Reference
Not suspected to be persistentEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Data Sources

  • Japan Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. 2006. Standards for Cosmetics. Evaluation and Licensing Division. Pharmaceutical and Food Safety Bureau.
  • IJT 20(S3):23-50, 2001 reopened 06/10
  • Harvell, J, Bason M, Maibach H 1994. Contact Urticaria and its Mechanisms. Food Chemistry and Toxicology 32(2): 103-112. (Table 2: Substances identified as capable of causing contact urticaria)., National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
  • EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
  • EPA (US Environmental Protection Agency). Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS). Evidence for human carcinogenicity based on 1986 guidelines.
  • NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.
  • author communication
  • FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Food Additive Status List. Downloaded from http://www.cfsan.fda.gov/%7Edms/opa-appa.html, Oct 16, 2006.
  • FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration). 2008. EAFUS [Everything Added to Food]: A Food Additive Database. FDA Office of Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
  • IJT 36(Suppl 3):5-30, 2017; original IJT 20(S3):23-50, 2001

† About this Ingredient's Score Range

  • Products with the EWG VERIFIED mark have met use restrictions and warnings based on EWG review of company data.

ABOUT THE SKIN DEEP® RATINGS

EWG provides information on personal care product ingredients from the published scientific literature, to supplement incomplete data available from companies and the government. The ratings below indicate the relative level of concern posed by exposure to the ingredients in this product - not the product itself - compared to other product formulations. The ratings reflect potential health hazards but do not account for the level of exposure or individual susceptibility, factors which determine actual health risks, if any. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer

ABOUT EWG VERIFIED™

Beyond providing Skin Deep® as an educational tool for consumers, EWG offers its EWG VERIFIED™ mark as a quick and easily identifiable way of conveying personal care products that meet EWG's strict health criteria. Before a company can use EWG VERIFIED™ on such products, the company must show that it fully discloses the products' ingredients on their labels or packaging, they do not contain EWG ingredients of concern, and are made with good manufacturing practices, among other criteria. Note that EWG receives licensing fees from all EWG VERIFIED™ member companies that help to support the important work we do. Learn more | Legal Disclaimer

EWG's Food Scores

EWG's Cleaners Guide

EWG's Sunscreen Guide

EWG VERIFIED™

EWG’s Healthy Living Tips

Shopper’s Guide to Pesticides in Produce™