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Data: Limited

Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina)

Other Concerns

Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)

SYNONYMS

● CERA MICROCRISTALLINA
● HYDROCARBON WAXES, MICROCRYST
● MICROCRYST HYDROCARBON WAXES
● MICROCRYSTALLINE PETROLEUM WAX
● MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX
● MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX (CERA MICROCRISTALLINA)
● MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX; MICROCRYSTALLINE WAX
● PARAFFIN WAXES AND HYDROCARBON WAXES, MICROCRYST.
● PETROLEUM WAX, MICROCRYSTALLINE

Restricted

Restricted: EWG VERIFIED products cannot contain this ingredient without adequate substantiation


Microcrystalline wax is a hydrocarbon wax derived from petroleum.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • LOW
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • LOW
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

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lipstick924 products
eye liner342 products
lip balm241 products
lip liner214 products
concealer201 products
lip gloss184 products
bronzer/highlighter153 products
blush147 products
foundation140 products
brow liner125 products
eye shadow112 products
mascara74 products
moisturizer34 products
exfoliant/scrub32 products
hair styling aide31 products
lip plumper26 products
diaper cream17 products
makeup primer16 products
mask15 products
lip balm with SPF15 products
facial cleanser15 products
bar soap13 products
facial moisturizer/treatment11 products
recreational sunscreen8 products
styling gel/lotion7 products
fragrance for women6 products
BB cream6 products
depilatory5 products
body wash/cleanser5 products
around-eye cream4 products
4 products
antiperspirant/deodorant3 products
conditioner3 products
anti-aging3 products
nail polish3 products
hair color and bleaching3 products
shampoo2 products
hair removal waxes2 products
hair spray2 products
makeup remover2 products
hand cream2 products
hair treatment/serum2 products
facial powder1 products
baby sunscreen1 products
serums & essences1 products
daily use with SPF1 products
sunless tanning1 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)1 products
bubble bath1 products
body cleansing wipes1 products
liquid hand soap1 products
baby lotion1 products
mouthwash1 products
other eye makeup1 products
fragrance for men1 products

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as expected to be toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
Classified as medium human health priorityEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Data gaps

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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 productCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments
20 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemicalNLM PubMed

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review Assessments

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List

Persistence and bioaccumulation

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be bioaccumulativeEnvironment Canada Domestic Substance List
  • EC (Environment Canada). 2008. Domestic Substances List Categorization. Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Environmental Registry.
  • CIR (Cosmetic Ingredient Review). 2006. CIR Compendium, containing abstracts, discussions, and conclusions of CIR cosmetic ingredient safety assessments. Washington DC.
  • NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG VERIFIED® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability

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