Know Your Environment. Protect Your Health.
EWG Home EWG’s Guide to Healthy Cleaning EWG’s Food Scores Healthy Living App Open menu

EWG's Skin Deep®
Find products and ingredients Learn how Skin Deep® works Meet our experts Discover EWG VERIFIED®
GET UPDATES DONATE
Score legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®
Product score: 05

Data Availability:

Limited

Pattern Styling Cream

Pattern Styling Cream

WHERE TO BUY

As an Amazon Associate, EWG earns from qualifying purchases.

CATEGORY

Styling Gel/Lotion

BRAND

Pattern By Tracee Ellis Ross

DATA LAST UPDATED

October 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; EAU)
Data Availability: Robust
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) solvent
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, viscosityincreasing agent - nonaqueous, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
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: 03
CETEARETH-20
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) surfactant - cleansing agent, surfactant - solubilizing agent
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
• Use restrictions (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
• Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
POLYSORBATE-60
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, surfactant - emulsifying agent, surfactant - solubilizing agent, emulsifying
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: 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: 03
PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) surfactant - cleansing agent, emulsifying
CONCERNS • Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
• Contamination concerns (ETHYLENE OXIDE and 1,4-DIOXANE)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous;skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient, hair conditioning, masking, skin conditioning, solvent
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
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)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) binder, emulsion stabilizer, film former, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous, binding, emulsion stabilising, film forming, stabilising, viscosity controlling
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
THEOBROMA CACAO (COCOA) SEED BUTTER
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin protectant, emollient, masking, skin conditioning, skin protecting
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 08
FRAGRANCE
Appeared as: FRAGRANCE (PARFUM)
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: 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: 02
CITRIC ACID
Data Availability: Good
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) chelating agent, fragrance ingredient, ph adjuster, buffering, chelating, masking
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) deodorant agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
• Ecotoxicology (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF EXTRACT
Appeared as: ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) external analgesic, humectant, oral care agent, skin-conditioning agent - emollient;skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
CONCERNS • Cancer (moderate)
• Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
SODIUM BENZOATE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, preservative, anticorrosive, masking
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
SODIUM SULFITE
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, hair-waving/straightening agent, reducing agent, hair waving or straightening, preservative
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
POTASSIUM SORBATE
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, preservative
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate)
• Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
COCOS NUCIFERA FRUIT EXTRACT
Appeared as: COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) FRUIT EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) not reported
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 03
PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, surfactant - cleansing 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
ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) antimicrobial agent, antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent -miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, perfuming
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
PHENETHYL ALCOHOL
Data Availability: Fair
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, preservative, masking
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CAPRYLYL GLYCOL
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, emollient, hair conditioning, humectant, skin conditioning
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
CARYODENDRON ORINOCENSE SEED OIL
Data Availability: None
Expand content Collapse content
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 04
HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN
Data Availability: Limited
Expand content Collapse content
FUNCTION(S) film former, hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, antistatic, hair conditioning, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (high)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from packaging:

WATER (AQUA, EAU), BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, GLYCERIN, CETEARETH-20, POLYSORBATE 60, PEG-40 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, PEG-120 METHYL GLUCOSE DIOLEATE, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL, PHENOXYETHANOL, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, PRUNUS AMYGDALUS DULCIS (SWEET ALMOND) OIL, THEOBROMA CACAO (COCOA) SEED BUTTER, FRAGRANCE (PARFUM), DISODIUM EDTA, CITRIC ACID, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, SODIUM BENZOATE, SODIUM SULFITE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) FRUIT EXTRACT, PEG-60 HYDROGENATED CASTOR OIL, ROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) LEAF EXTRACT, HELIANTHUS ANNUUS (SUNFLOWER) SEED OIL, PHENETHYL ALCOHOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, CARYODENDRON ORINOCENSE SEED OIL, HYDROLYZED WHEAT PROTEIN

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.

More styling gel/lotion

Curlsmith, Shine Gel, 9 Strong Hold
CurlSmith
, Shine Gel, 9 Strong Hold
Product score: 3
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Suave Professionals Moisturizing Thickening Jar Hair Styling Gel, Castor Oil & Mango Butter
Suave Professionals Moisturizing Thickening Jar Hair Styling Gel, Castor Oil & Mango Butter
Product score: 6
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Cantu, Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream, For Natural, Style
Cantu
, Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream, For Natural, Style
Product score: 4
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
Zotos Professional All About Curls Bouncy Cream
Zotos
Professional All About Curls Bouncy Cream
Product score: 2
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
VIEW ALL styling gel/lotion

More from Pattern By Tracee Ellis Ross

PATTERN By Tracee Ellis Ross Jojoba Oil Hair Serum (2019 formulation)
Pattern By Tracee Ellis Ross
Jojoba Oil Hair Serum (2019 formulation)
Product score: 2
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
PATTERN By Tracee Ellis Ross Argan Oil Hair Serum (2019 formulation)
Pattern By Tracee Ellis Ross
Argan Oil Hair Serum (2019 formulation)
Product score: 1
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
PATTERN By Tracee Ellis Ross Leave-in Conditioner (2019 formulation)
Pattern By Tracee Ellis Ross
Leave-in Conditioner (2019 formulation)
Product score: 6
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
PATTERN By Tracee Ellis Ross Hydration Shampoo (2019 formulation)
Pattern By Tracee Ellis Ross
Hydration Shampoo (2019 formulation)
Product score: 4
HIGH HAZARD
Data Availability:
VIEW ALL Pattern By Tracee Ellis Ross
CleanCon Promo Banner

Interested in
learning more
about clean living?



Join us

September 23, 2023 | Los Angeles, CA

LEARN MORE