red
Polyacrylamide
IARC Group 2A. Forms on high-temperature browning of starches; also a polyacrylamide impurity.
Low Tox Gear · Scanner
Olay Complete UV Protection Moisturiser Cream SPF 15 150mL
Is Olay Complete UV Protection Moisturiser Cream SPF 15 150mL low tox? Our scanner flagged 8 ingredients (1 in the avoid tier, 7 caution) on its published label, screened against our 237 source-cited chemical rules.
1 avoid7 caution
8 ingredients flagged
What we flagged
amber
Ethylhexyl Salicylate
Salicylate UV filter — milder profile than oxybenzone but absorbs systemically (FDA TEA).
amber
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
Common UVA filter — degrades in sunlight unless stabilised.
amber
Octocrylene
Chemical UV filter. Photoallergen risk and benzophenone breakdown over time.
Downs et al. Chemical Research in Toxicology 2021 (benzophenone degradation)
amber
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
Water-soluble UV filter; mild irritant for some skin types.
amber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative — generally well-tolerated but documented as MCAS and contact-dermatitis trigger in sensitive individuals.
amber
PEG-100 Stearate
Manufacturing process can leave 1,4-dioxane (probable carcinogen) and ethylene oxide as contaminants. Look for 'vacuum-stripped' products.
amber
Disodium EDTA
Chelating agent — generally tolerated but documented MCAS trigger in case reports.
Full ingredients (from label)
WaterGlycerinEthylhexyl SalicylateNiacinamideButyl MethoxydibenzoylmethaneIsopropyl IsostearateOctocrylenePhenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic AcidPanthenolAminomethyl PropanolZea Mays (Corn) Starch12-HexanediolBehenyl AlcoholCaprylyl GlycolPolyacrylamideStearyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanolCetyl AlcoholTocopheryl AcetateC13-14 IsoalkaneCarbomerFragranceCetearyl AlcoholCetearyl GlucosidePeg-100 StearateDisodium EdtaLaureth-7Palmitic AcidStearic Acid
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.