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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®
Product score: 05

Data Availability:

Limited

NYC Curls The Curl Gel

NYC Curls The Curl Gel

WHERE TO BUY

As an Amazon Associate, EWG earns from qualifying purchases.

CATEGORY

Styling Gel/Lotion

BRAND

NYC Curls

DATA LAST UPDATED

April 2021

Ingredient concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • HIGH
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    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
Appeared as: WATER (AQUA)
Data Availability: Robust
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FUNCTION(S) solvent
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Ingredient score: 01
VP/ VA COPOLYMER
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) binder, film former, hair fixative, suspending agent - nonsurfactant, binding, film forming, hair fixing
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Ingredient score: 02
GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Good
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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)
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Ingredient score: 03
PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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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)
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Ingredient score: 01
LINUM USITATISSIMUM (LINSEED) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent -occlusive, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 02
PPG-26-BUTETH-26
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous;surfactant - emulsifying agent, hair conditioning, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Contamination concerns (BUTYL ALCOHOL)
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Ingredient score: 02
ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM (COMMON YARROW) EXTRACT
Appeared as: ACHILLEA MILLEFOLIUM EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, perfuming
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 04
AMINOMETHYL PROPANOL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) ph adjuster, buffering
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (high)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
• Contamination concerns (NITROSAMINES and OXAZOLIDINE)
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Ingredient score: 01
BUTYLENE GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, solvent, viscositydecreasing agent, humectant, masking, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, emollient, hair conditioning, humectant, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
CARBOMER
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) emulsion stabilizer, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous, emulsion stabilising, gel forming, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 02
CHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) FLOWER EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent -occlusive, perfuming
CONCERNS • Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Neurotoxicity (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
CYMBOPOGON SCHOENANTHUS (LEMONGRASS) EXTRACT
Appeared as: CYMBOPOGON SCHOENANTHUS EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin conditioning, soothing
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Ingredient score: 01
DISODIUM EDTA
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) chelating agent, chelating, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
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Ingredient score: 01
HUMULUS LUPULUS (HOPS) EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, antimicrobial, astringent, emollient, perfuming, skin conditioning, soothing, tonic
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
HYDROLYZED OAT PROTEIN
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, antistatic, hair conditioning, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 04
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) film former, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, antistatic, hair conditioning, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (high)
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Ingredient score: 02
MELISSA OFFICINALIS (LEMON BALM) LEAF EXTRACT
Appeared as: MELISSA OFFICINALIS LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent -occlusive
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 04
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, preservative
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
• Occupational hazards (high)
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Ingredient score: 01
POLYQUATERNIUM-59
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) ultraviolet light absorber, uv absorber
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Ingredient score: 05
POLYQUATERNIUM-7
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antistatic agent, film former, hair fixative, antistatic, film forming
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (high)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Contamination concerns (ACRYLAMIDE)
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Ingredient score: 02
POTASSIUM SORBATE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, preservative
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antimicrobial agent, antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent -miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, perfuming
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Ingredient score: 03
SODIUM BENZOATE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, preservative, anticorrosive, masking
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
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Ingredient score: 03
HEXYL CINNAMAL
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, masking
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
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Ingredient score: 08
FRAGRANCE
Appeared as: FRAGRANCE (PARFUM)
Data Availability: Fair
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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)
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Ingredient score: 06
LIMONENE
Data Availability: Good
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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)
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Ingredient score: 03
LINALOOL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, deodorant, masking
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
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Ingredient score: 05
EUGENOL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) denaturant, fragrance ingredient, masking, tonic
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 05
BENZYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) external analgesic, fragrance ingredient, oral health care drug, preservative, solvent;viscosity decreasing agent, masking, solvent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Occupational hazards (high)
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Ingredient score: 05
CITRAL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) flavoring agent, fragrance ingredient, masking
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
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Ingredient score: 05
GERANIOL
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, masking, tonic
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 02
CITRIC ACID
Data Availability: Good
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FUNCTION(S) chelating agent, fragrance ingredient, ph adjuster, buffering, chelating, masking
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 05
LAURTRIMONIUM CHLORIDE
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antistatic agent, cosmetic biocide, surfactant - emulsifying agent, antistatic, emulsifying, preservative
CONCERNS • Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (high)
• Use restrictions (low)
• Neurotoxicity (low)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
POTASSIUM BENZOATE
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) preservative
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Ingredients from packaging:

Water (Aqua), VP/VA Copolymer, Glycerin, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Linum Usitatissimum (Linseed) Seed Oil, PPG-26-Buteth-26, Achillea Millefolium Extract, Aminomethyl Propanol, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Carbomer, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Cymbopogon Schoenanthus Extract, Disodium Edta, Humulus Lupulus (Hops) Extract, Hydrolyzed Oat Protein, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Phenoxyethanol, Polyquaternium-59, Polyquaternium-7, Potassium Sorbate, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Sodium Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Fragrance (Parfum), Limonene, Linalool, Eugenol, Benzyl Alcohol, Citral, Geraniol, Citric Acid, Laurtrimonium Chloride, Potassium Benzoate

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.


Unknown

Leading international certifiers PETA and Leaping Bunny have no information concerning this company’s use of animal testing.

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
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

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
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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