Find products and ingredients Learn how Skin Deep® works Meet our experts Discover EWG VERIFIED®
Product score: 06

Data Availability:

Limited

AXE Matte Effect Ultra Strong Structuring Fiber (2019 formulation)

AXE Matte Effect Ultra Strong Structuring Fiber (2019 formulation)

WHERE TO BUY

When you make a purchase through retailer links on our site, we may earn commission through affiliate programs. All affiliate fees EWG receives support our nonprofit mission. Learn more here

CATEGORY

Styling Gel/Lotion

BRAND

AXE

DATA LAST UPDATED

July 2019

Ingredient concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • MODERATE
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • MODERATE
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • HIGH
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Ingredient score: 01
WATER
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) solvent
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
PETROLATUM
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin protectant, emollient, moisturising, uv absorber
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (high)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Contamination concerns (PAHS)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
VP/ VA COPOLYMER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binder, film former, hair fixative, suspending agent - nonsurfactant, binding, film forming, hair fixing
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
VINYL CAPROLACTAM/ PVP/ DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER
Appeared as: VINYL CAPROLACTAM/VP/DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) film former, hair fixative, film forming, hair fixing, skin conditioning
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CETEARYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) emulsion stabilizer, opacifying agent, surfactant - foam booster, viscosity increasingagent - aqueous, viscosity increasing agent - nonaqueous, emollient, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, foam boosting, opacifying, surfactant, viscosity controlling
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) denaturant, fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, humectant, oral care agent;oral health care drug, skin-conditioning agent - humectant, skin protectant, viscosity decreasing agent, perfuming, solvent
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
KAOLIN
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) abrasive, absorbent, anticaking agent, bulking agent, opacifying agent, skin protectant;slip modifier, anticaking, bulking, opacifying
CONCERNS • Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
STEARETH-21
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) surfactant - cleansing agent, surfactant - emulsifying agent, surfactant - solubilizing agent
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
Appeared as: GLYCERYL STEARATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying agent, emollient, emulsifying
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
POLYQUATERNIUM-4
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antistatic agent, film former, hair fixative, antistatic, film forming
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
DIMETHICONE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antifoaming agent, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin protectant, antifoaming, emollient, skin conditioning, skin protecting
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (high)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
STEARETH-2
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) surfactant - emulsifying agent, emulsifying, surfactant
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 08
FRAGRANCE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) deodorant, masking, perfuming
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Endocrine disruption (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, surfactant - emulsifying agent, surfactant - solubilizing agent, perfuming
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 06
DMDM HYDANTOIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) preservative
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
• Contamination concerns (FORMALDEHYDE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, humectant, skin-conditioning agent - humectant, skin-conditioningagent - miscellaneous, solvent, viscosity decreasing agent, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Enhanced skin absorption
• Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
PEG-180
Appeared as: PEG-180M
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binder, humectant, solvent
CONCERNS • Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
DISODIUM EDTA
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) chelating agent, chelating, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
BUTYLENE GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, solvent, viscositydecreasing agent, humectant, masking, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 05
IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) preservative
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Use restrictions (high)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
METHOXYPOLYOXYMETHYLENE MELAMINE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binder, film former, binding, film forming
CONCERNS • Cancer (moderate)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
XANTHAN GUM
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binder, emulsion stabilizer, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, surfactant -emulsifying agent, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous, binding, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, gel forming, skin conditioning, surfactant, viscosity controlling
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 08
LILIAL
Appeared as: METHYLPROPIONAL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, masking
CONCERNS • Developmental/reproductive toxicity (moderate)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (high)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
BUTYLPHENYL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
Ingredient score: 05
CITRAL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) flavoring agent, fragrance ingredient, masking
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
CITRONELLOL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, masking
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 05
COUMARIN
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, masking
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 06
LIMONENE
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) perfuming
CONCERNS • Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
LINALOOL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, deodorant, masking
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
D&C RED NO. 33 (CI 17200)
Appeared as: CI 17200 (RED 33)
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) colorant, hair dyeing
CONCERNS • Cancer (moderate)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (high)
• Contamination concerns (BIPHENYL-2-YLAMINE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 06
FD&C YELLOW NO. 5 (CI 19140)
Appeared as: CI 19140 (YELLOW 5)
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) colorant
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Neurotoxicity (moderate)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Contamination concerns (BIPHENYL-2-YLAMINE and CADMIUM (pyrophoric))
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 07
CI 42090 (FD&C BLUE NO. 1 OR D&C BLUE NO. 4)
Appeared as: CI 42090 (BLUE 1)
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) colorant, hair dyeing
CONCERNS • Cancer (moderate)
• Use restrictions (high)
• Neurotoxicity (low)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
• Contamination concerns (ANILINE and CADMIUM (pyrophoric))
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from packaging:

WATER, PETROLATUM, VP/VA COPOLYMER, VINYL CAPROLACTAM/VP/DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATE COPOLYMER, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, GLYCERIN, KAOLIN, STEARETH-21, GLYCERYL STEARATE, POLYQUATERNIUM-4, DIMETHICONE, STEARETH-2, FRAGRANCE, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, DMDM HYDANTOIN, PROPYLENE GLYCOL, PEG-180M, DISODIUM EDTA, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, IODOPROPYNYL BUTYLCARBAMATE, METHOXYPOLYOXYMETHYLENE MELAMINE, XANTHAN GUM, BUTYLPHENYL METHYLPROPIONAL, CITRAL, CITRONELLOL, COUMARIN, LIMONENE, LINALOOL, CI 17200 (RED 33), CI 19140 (YELLOW 5), CI 42090 (BLUE 1)

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."

LEARN MORE ON PETA.ORG

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

More styling gel/lotion

VIEW ALL styling gel/lotion
Skindeep Healthy Living App

Discover a curated selection of healthier beauty and personal care products. Donate today to get your EWG VERIFIED® holiday gift set!

GET IT NOW