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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED™
Product score: 04

Data Availability:

Limited

Paula's Choice Skincare CLINICAL Ultra-Rich Moisturizer

Paula's Choice Skincare CLINICAL Ultra-Rich Moisturizer

WHERE TO BUY

CATEGORY

Moisturizer

BRAND

Paula's Choice

DATA LAST UPDATED

December 2021

Ingredient concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • MODERATE
    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
BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII (SHEA) BUTTER
Appeared as: BUTYROSPERMUM PARKII BUTTER (SHEA BUTTER/EMOLLIENT/)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, viscosityincreasing agent - nonaqueous, skin conditioning, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
CAPRYLIC/ CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE
Appeared as: CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE (EMOLLIENT; SKIN REPLENISHING)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
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Ingredient score: 01
GLYCERYL STEARATE SE
Appeared as: GLYCERYL STEARATE SE (TEXTURE-ENHANCING)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) surfactant - emulsifying agent, emulsifying
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
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Ingredient score: 01
OLEA EUROPAEA (OLIVE) OIL
Appeared as: OLEA EUROPAEA FRUIT OIL (OLIVE OIL/NON-FRAGRANT EMOLLIENT PLANT OIL/)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, perfuming
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 04
DIMETHICONE
Appeared as: DIMETHICONE (EMOLLIENT/HYDRATION)
Data Availability: Limited
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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)
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Ingredient score: 01
STEARIC ACID
Appeared as: STEARIC ACID (TEXTURE-ENHANCING/STABILIZER)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, surfactant - cleansing agent, surfactant - emulsifying agentsurfactant-cleansing agent is included as a function for the soap form of stearic acid., cleansing, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, masking, refatting, surfactant
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
GLYCERYL MONOSTEARATE
Appeared as: GLYCERYL STEARATE (TEXTURE-ENHANCING/STABILIZER)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying agent, emollient, emulsifying
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Ingredient score: 01
MANGIFERA INDICA (MANGO) SEED BUTTER
Appeared as: MANGIFERA INDICA SEED BUTTER (MANGO BUTTER/NON-FRAGRANT EMOLLIENT PLANT OILS/)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
• Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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Ingredient score: 01
CETYL ALCOHOL
Appeared as: CETYL ALCOHOL (STABILIZER)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) emulsion stabilizer, fragrance ingredient, opacifying agent, surfactant - emulsifying agent;surfactant - foam booster, viscosity increasing agent - aqueous, viscosity increasing agent -nonaqueous, emollient, emulsifying, emulsion stabilising, foam boosting, masking, opacifying, surfactant, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 01
COCOS NUCIFERA (COCONUT) OIL
Appeared as: COCOS NUCIFERA OIL (COCONUT OIL/NON-FRAGRANT EMOLLIENT PLANT OIL/S)
Data Availability: Fair
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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)
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Ingredient score: 01
CERAMIDE NP
Appeared as: CERAMIDE NP (SKIN REPLENISHING)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous
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Ingredient score: 01
CERAMIDE AP
Appeared as: CERAMIDE AP (SKIN REPLENISHING)
Data Availability: None
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Ingredient score: 01
CERAMIDE EOP
Appeared as: CERAMIDE EOP (SKIN REPLENISHING)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, hair conditioning, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 03
SPHINGOLIPIDS
Appeared as: SPHINGOLIPIDS (SKIN REPLENISHING)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, emollient, skin conditioning, skin protecting
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (high)
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Ingredient score: 01
PHOSPHOLIPIDS
Appeared as: PHOSPHOLIPIDS (SKIN REPLENISHING)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
PHYTOSPHINGOSINE
Appeared as: PHYTOSPHINGOSINE (SKIN-SOOTHING/SKIN-RESTORING INGREDIENT)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, hair conditioning, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
SQUALENE
Appeared as: SQUALENE (EMOLLIENT)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, antistatic, emollient, hair conditioning, refatting, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
CHOLESTEROL
Appeared as: CHOLESTEROL (SKIN REPLENISHING)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) emulsion stabilizer, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, viscosity increasing agent -nonaqueous, emollient, emulsifying, skin conditioning, stabilising, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
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Ingredient score: 02
TOCOPHEROL
Appeared as: TOCOPHEROL (VITAMIN E/)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous;skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Cancer (low)
• Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Endocrine disruption (low)
• Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
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Ingredient score: 01
SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) BUTTER
Appeared as: SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS BUTTER (JOJOBA BUTTER/PLANT-BASED EMOLLIENT)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, hair conditioning, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
PERSEA GRATISSIMA (AVOCADO) OIL
Appeared as: PERSEA GRATISSIMA OIL (AVOCADO OIL/NON-FRAGRANT EMOLLIENT PLANT OILS/S)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, skin conditioning
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Ingredient score: 01
GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL
Appeared as: GLYCINE SOJA OIL (SOYBEAN OIL/NON-FRAGRANT EMOLLIENT PLANT OILS/)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - occlusive, emollient, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
ORYZA SATIVA (RICE) BRAN OIL
Appeared as: ORYZA SATIVA BRAN OIL (RICE OIL/NON-FRAGRANT EMOLLIENT PLANT OIL/)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - occlusive
CONCERNS • Use restrictions (low)
• Contamination concerns (PESTICIDES)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
AVENA SATIVA (OAT) KERNEL EXTRACT
Appeared as: AVENA SATIVA KERNEL EXTRACT (OAT EXTRACT/SKIN-SOOTHING)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, skin-conditioning agent - emollient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, abrasive
CONCERNS • Allergies/immunotoxicity (low)
• Use restrictions (low)
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Ingredient score: 02
GLYCERIN
Appeared as: GLYCERIN (SKIN REPLENISHING)
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: 01
PANTHENOL
Appeared as: PANTHENOL (VITAMIN B5/SKIN-SOOTHING)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) hair conditioning agent, antistatic, hair conditioning, skin conditioning
CONCERNS • Multiple, additive exposure sources (low)
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Ingredient score: 02
ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C PALMITATE)
Appeared as: ASCORBYL PALMITATE (VITAMIN C/)
Data Availability: Limited
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FUNCTION(S) antioxidant, fragrance ingredient, masking
CONCERNS • Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)
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Ingredient score: 01
BETA SITOSTEROL
Appeared as: BETA-SITOSTEROL (SKIN REPLENISHING/SKIN-SOOTHING)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) fragrance ingredient, skin-conditioning agent - miscellaneous, emulsion stabilising, masking, skin conditioning, stabilising
CONCERNS • Persistence and bioaccumulation (moderate)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE GLYCERIDES CITRATE
Appeared as: HYDROGENATED VEGETABLE GLYCERIDES CITRATE (STABILIZER)
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) skin-conditioning agent - emollient, surfactant - emulsifying agent, emollient, emulsifying, skin conditioning, stabilising
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Ingredient score: 03
PROPYLENE GLYCOL
Appeared as: PROPYLENE GLYCOL (HYDRATION)
Data Availability: Fair
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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: 01
SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE
Appeared as: SODIUM LAUROYL LACTYLATE (STABILIZER)
Data Availability: None
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FUNCTION(S) surfactant - emulsifying agent, emulsifying
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Ingredient score: 01
XANTHAN GUM
Appeared as: XANTHAN GUM (TEXTURE-ENHANCING)
Data Availability: Fair
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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
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Ingredient score: 01
CARBOMER
Appeared as: CARBOMER (TEXTURE-ENHANCING)
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)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 01
DISODIUM EDTA
Appeared as: DISODIUM EDTA (STABILIZER)
Data Availability: Fair
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FUNCTION(S) chelating agent, chelating, viscosity controlling
CONCERNS • Enhanced skin absorption
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
Ingredient score: 02
ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Appeared as: ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN (HYDRATION)
Data Availability: Limited
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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: 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)
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT

Ingredients from packaging:

Water (Aqua), Butyrospermum Parkii Butter (shea butter/emollient/antioxidant), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (emollient, skin replenishing), Glyceryl Stearate SE (texture-enhancing), Olea Europaea Fruit Oil (olive oil/non-fragrant emollient plant oil/antioxidant), Dimethicone (emollient/hydration), Stearic Acid (texture-enhancing/stabilizer), Glyceryl Stearate (texture-enhancing/stabilizer), Mangifera Indica Seed Butter (mango butter/non-fragrant emollient plant oils/antioxidant), Cetyl Alcohol (stabilizer), Cocos Nucifera Oil (coconut oil/non-fragrant emollient plant oil/antioxidants), Ceramide NP (skin replenishing), Ceramide AP (skin replenishing), Ceramide EOP (skin replenishing), Sphingolipids (skin replenishing), Phospholipids (skin replenishing), Phytosphingosine (skin-soothing/skin-restoring ingredient), Squalene (emollient), Cholesterol (skin replenishing), Tocopherol (vitamin E/antioxidant), Simmondsia Chinensis Butter (jojoba butter/plant-based emollient), Persea Gratissima Oil (avocado oil/non-fragrant emollient plant oils/antioxidants), Glycine Soja Oil (soybean oil/non-fragrant emollient plant oils/antioxidant), Oryza Sativa Bran Oil (rice oil/non-fragrant emollient plant oil/antioxidant), Avena Sativa Kernel Extract (oat extract/skin-soothing), Glycerin (skin replenishing), Panthenol (vitamin B5/skin-soothing), Ascorbyl Palmitate (vitamin C/antioxidant), Beta-Sitosterol (skin replenishing/skin-soothing), Hydrogenated Vegetable Glycerides Citrate (stabilizer), Propylene Glycol (hydration), Sodium Lauroyl Lactylate (stabilizer), Xanthan Gum (texture-enhancing), Carbomer (texture-enhancing), Disodium EDTA (stabilizer), Ethylhexylglycerin (hydration), Phenoxyethanol (preservative).

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
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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