amber
Avobenzone 2
Common UVA filter — degrades in sunlight unless stabilised.
Low Tox Gear · Scanner
Cetaphil Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 35
Is Cetaphil Oil-Free Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 35 low tox? Our scanner flagged 7 ingredients (7 in the caution tier) on its published label, screened against our 237 source-cited chemical rules.
7 caution
7 ingredients flagged
What we flagged
amber
Homosalate 9
EU SCCS flagged endocrine concerns; restricted concentration since 2023.
amber
Octisalate 4
Salicylate UV filter — milder profile than oxybenzone but absorbs systemically (FDA TEA).
amber
Octocrylene
Chemical UV filter. Photoallergen risk and benzophenone breakdown over time.
Downs et al. Chemical Research in Toxicology 2021 (benzophenone degradation)
amber
Dipropylene Glycol
Common humectant. Documented contact allergen — especially for eczema-prone skin.
amber
Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer
Synthetic polymer film-former. Microplastic concern (rinse-off products), low-grade monomer-residue concern.
amber
Sodium Benzoate
Implicated in childhood hyperactivity studies and reported MCAS trigger.
Full ingredients (from label)
Avobenzone 2.8%Homosalate 9.5%Octisalate 4.8%Octocrylene 7% Inactive ingredients: WaterGlycerinDipropylene GlycolPanthenol (Vitamin B5)Ethylhexyl MethoxycryleneIsopropyl PalmitateSilicaNiacinamideCetearyl OlivateCetearyl AlcoholGlyceryl StearatePotassium Cetyl PhosphateSorbitan OlivateTocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate)Caprylyl GlycolAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerPalmitic AcidEthylhexylglycerinLeontopodium (Edelweiss) ExtractStearic Acid12-HexanediolOryza Sativa (Rice) Lees ExtractPropanediolSodium HydroxideAdenosinePotassium SorbateSodium BenzoateCitric AcidMyristic AcidBuddleja Davidii (Summer Lilac) Leaf ExtractThymus Vulgaris (Thyme) Leaf ExtractTocopherol (Vitamin E
How this analysis is generated
Each ingredient on this product's published label is matched against our 237 source-cited chemical rules, each documenting a concern from peer-reviewed research and regulatory sources. Severity tiers:
- Avoid (red) — banned or restricted in the EU, UK or Canada but still legal in the US, IARC-listed, or strong contact-allergen evidence.
- Caution (amber) — regulatory caution, contamination risk, or condition-specific irritant.
- Mild (green) — low concern but commonly avoided in low-tox formulations.
Each flag links to its primary chemical-level source, and each condition pill links to a PubMed-indexed paper that discusses the chemical class in the context of that condition. Every citation is a real peer-reviewed paper — we don't link to Wikipedia or PubMed search pages. Some pairs use a topically-broad paper (e.g. a fragrance-allergen patch-test review) rather than a single-pair study where the literature is thin. The full evidence chain (chemical → mechanism → condition → paper) is one click away.
This is automated analysis of a published label, not medical advice — always verify the label yourself before changing products. Methodology and source list at scan.lowtoxgear.com.