Menu
ZINC OXIDE (sunscreen grade > 100nm)
Score:
Data: Good
- Other Concerns
- Functions
- About the Chemical
- Synonyms
-
Enhanced skin absorption, Persistence and bioaccumulation (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Occupational hazards (moderate), and Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)
Cancer 
Cancer: Ingredients linked to cancer in government, industry or academic studies or assessments.
Developmental & Reproductive Toxicity
Developmental and reproductive toxicity: Ingredients linked to developmental and reproductive toxicity, a broad class of health effects that range from infertility and reproductive organ cancers to birth defects and developmental delays in children.
Allergies & Immunotoxicity
Allergies and immunotoxicity: Ingredients linked to harm to the immune system, a class of health problems that manifest as allergic reactions or an impaired capacity to fight disease and repair damaged tissue in the body.
Products with this Ingredient
| recreational sunscreen | 586 products |
| daily use with SPF | 346 products |
| baby sunscreen | 135 products |
| foundation | 128 products |
| CC cream | 58 products |
| diaper cream | 51 products |
| lip balm with SPF | 48 products |
| BB cream | 33 products |
| 27 products | |
| facial powder | 16 products |
| lip gloss | 10 products |
| around-eye cream | 5 products |
| lip balm | 4 products |
| lipstick | 3 products |
| concealer | 3 products |
| blush | 2 products |
| eye shadow | 2 products |
| baby powder | 2 products |
| makeup primer | 2 products |
| setting powder/spray | 2 products |
| tanning oil | 1 products |
| baby lotion | 1 products |
| toners/astringents | 1 products |
| moisturizer | 1 products |
| facial moisturizer/treatment | 1 products |
| anti-aging | 1 products |
| serums & essences | 1 products |
| damaged skin treatment | 1 products |
Enhanced skin absorption
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin | Nanomaterial Database |
| Nano-scale ingredients with potential to absorb into the skin | Open scientific literature |
Biochemical or cellular level changes
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Produces excess reactive oxygen species that can interfere with cellular signaling, cause mutations, lead to cell death and may be implicated in cardiovascular disease. | Open scientific literature |
Occupational hazards
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Allowed workplace exposures restricted to moderate doses | National Library of Medicine HazMap |
| Moderate evidence of occupational hazards | Open scientific literature |
Decreased skin absorption
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Limited potential to absorb into the skin. | Open scientific literature |
Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Possible human respiratory toxicant | Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics |
| One or more animal studies show classified as toxic effects at moderate doses (low dose studies may be unavailable for this ingredient) | EPA Toxic Release Inventory PBTs |
| Associated with cardiovascular toxicity | Open scientific literature |
Persistence and bioaccumulation
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Found to be persistent and bioaccumulative in wildlife | Open scientific literature |
Cancer
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| One or more in vitro tests on mammalian cells show positive mutation results | Open scientific literature |
| One or more in vitro tests on microorganisms show positive mutation results | Open scientific literature |
Ecotoxicology
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | CPS&Q - Classification & Labelling |
| Wildlife and environmental toxicity | Open scientific literature |
Data gaps
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| 14377 studies in PubMed science library may include information on the toxicity of this chemical | NLM PubMed |
Developmental/reproductive toxicity
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Not likely to be a reproductive toxicant in humans | Open scientific literature |
Multiple, additive exposure sources
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Food Additive Status |
| Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in food | FDA Everything Added to Food |
Informational
| Concern | Reference |
|---|---|
| Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Color Additives - Exempt from Batch Certification by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration | CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook |
| Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - Color additive approved by FDA for use in cosmetics | FDA Color Additive Status |
Data Sources
- NanoWerk. 2007. Nanomaterial Database. Available online: http://www.nanowerk.com/phpscripts/n_dbsearch.php
- Open scientific/peer reviewed literature
- NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2006. HazMap — Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Agents.
- AOEC (Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics). 2009. AEOC exposures codes and asthmagen designation.
- EPA (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency). 1999. Toxics Release Inventory Program. PBT Chemical Rule.
- CPS&Q (Consumer Products Safety & Quality) formely known as ECB (European Chemicals Bureau). 2008. Classification and Labelling: Chemicals: Annex VI of Directive 67/548/EEC through the 31st ATP.
- NLM (National Library of Medicine). 2012. PubMed online scientific bibliography data. http://www.pubmed.gov.
- 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.
- CTFA (Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association). 2006. International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, 11th Edition. Color Additive Information. Washington, DC.
- FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) 2006. Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. Color Additive Status List. September 2006.
- This ingredient’s score is higher if used in products that are inhalable (e.g., sprays, powders) because of respiratory concerns.
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
