Avalon Organics Intense Defense Balancing Toner

EWG scientists reviewed the Avalon Organics Intense Defense Balancing Toner product label collected on July 27, 2018 for safety according to the methodology outlined in our Skin Deep Cosmetics Database. We assess the ingredients listed on the labels of personal care products based on data in toxicity and regulatory databases, government and health agency assessments and the open scientific literature. EWG's rating for Avalon Organics Intense Defense Balancing Toner is 5.
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Data last updated: July 2018
Ingredient Concerns
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.
Use Restrictions 

Use restrictions: Ingredients restricted or prohibited for use in cosmetics, according to industry safety guidelines, government requirements or guidance from the U.S., EU, Japan or Canada.
Other Ingredient Concerns
HIGH
- Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs)
- Occupational hazards
- Persistence and bioaccumulation
- Use restrictions
MODERATE
- Multiple, additive exposure sources
- Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)
LOW
- Enhanced skin absorption
- Ecotoxicology
- Endocrine disruption
- Neurotoxicity
Ingredient Concerns
Score | Data Availability | Ingredient | Concern |
---|---|---|---|
Limited
|
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low) |
||
Limited
|
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (low) |
||
None
|
• Cancer (low) |
||
Fair
|
• Use restrictions (high) |
||
Fair
|
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high) |
||
Good
|
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low) |
||
Good
|
• Enhanced skin absorption |
||
Fair
|
• Use restrictions (moderate) |
||
Fair
|
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high) |
||
Good
|
• Use restrictions (moderate) |
||
Limited
|
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate) |
||
Fair
|
• Use restrictions (moderate) |
||
Limited
|
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT
Appeared as: CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA FLOWER EXTRACT (MATRICARIA) |
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low) |
|
Limited
|
• Use restrictions (moderate) |
||
Good
|
• Use restrictions (moderate) |
||
Robust
|
|
||
Limited
|
• Cancer (moderate) |
||
Limited
|
|
||
Limited
|
CALENDULA OFFICINALIS (POT MARIGOLD) FLOWER EXTRACT
Appeared as: CALENDULA OFFICINALIS FLOWER EXTRACT (1) |
|
|
Limited
|
|
||
Fair
|
|
||
Limited
|
|
||
Fair
|
• Cancer (moderate) |
||
None
|
|
||
Limited
|
|
||
Limited
|
|
||
Limited
|
• Use restrictions (low) |
||
None
|
|
||
Limited
|
• Use restrictions (low) |
||
Limited
|
• Use restrictions (low) |
||
Fair
|
|
||
Fair
|
• Enhanced skin absorption |
||
Fair
|
|
||
Limited
|
|
||
Limited
|
• Enhanced skin absorption |
Product's Animal Testing Policies
Some cosmetics companies have taken People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and Leaping Bunny animal-testing pledges. For consumers who are concerned about companies’ policies on animal testing, Skin Deep reports this information.
PETA Cruelty-free Companies

Companies that join the "Caring Consumer" program of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a leading international animal rights advocacy organization, attest that "neither they nor their ingredient suppliers conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations or finished products, and that they pledge not to do so in the future."
For more information visit: http://www.peta.org/living/beauty-and-personal-care/companies/default.aspx
Leaping Bunny

Products bearing the Leaping Bunny mark are certified cruelty-free under the Humane Household Products Standard, managed in the U.S. and Canada by the Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics, a coalition of eight national animal protection groups. Participating companies must open their processes to independent audits throughout the supply chain.
For more information visit: http://www.leapingbunny.org/
Product's Label Information
Ingredients from packaging:
Aqua (Water), Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice(1), Glycerin, Quillaja Saponaria Bark Extract(1), Arnica Montana Flower Extract(1), Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract(1), Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract(1), Carica Papaya (Papaya) Fruit Extract(1), Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract(1), Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Extract*(1), Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract(1), Echinacea Angustifolia Extract(1), Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract(1), Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower/Leaf/Stem Extract(1), Olea Europaea (Olive) Leaf Extract(1), Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Peel Oil, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Ascorbyl Glucoside, Caprylyl/Capryl Wheat Bran/Straw Glycosides, Citric Acid, Fusel Wheat Bran/Straw Glycosides, Polyglyceryl-5 Oleate, Potassium Hydroxide, Salicylic Acid, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, Sodium Hyaluronate, Alcohol(1), Calcium Gluconate, Gluconolactone, Glyceryl Caprylate, Sodium Benzoate, Citral, Limonene, Linalool, (1)Certified Organic Ingredient, *Also known as Lemon Bioflavonoid, Product is preserved with Sodium Benzoate
Directions from packaging:
TO USE: Gently sweeping a moistened cotton ball over freshly cleansed face and neck will purify and rebalance skin. Following application with an Intense Defense moisturizer completes the regimen.
Warnings from packaging:
CAUTION: For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes. Keep out of reach of children.
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
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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