amber
Salicylic Acid
BHA exfoliant; topical use restricted during pregnancy at high concentrations (oral aspirin equivalence).
Low Tox Gear · Scanner
Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Face Scrub 125mL
Is Neutrogena Oil Free Acne Face Scrub 125mL low tox? Our scanner flagged 10 ingredients (10 in the caution tier) on its published label, screened against our 237 source-cited chemical rules.
10 caution
10 ingredients flagged
What we flagged
amber
Steareth-21
Manufacturing process can leave 1,4-dioxane (probable carcinogen) and ethylene oxide as contaminants. Look for 'vacuum-stripped' products.
amber
Glycolic Acid
Exfoliants — can sting and flare rosacea/eczema if barrier is compromised.
rosaceaeczema
amber
Disodium EDTA
Chelating agent — generally tolerated but documented MCAS trigger in case reports.
amber
Benzalkonium Chloride
Documented respiratory and skin sensitiser. Common MCAS and asthma trigger.
Svanes et al. Bergen Respiratory Health Study, Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2018
amber
BHT
Endocrine concerns at high exposure levels.
amber
CI 19140
Same dye as food Yellow 5; warnings required in EU food but not cosmetic.
amber
Yellow 5
Implicated in childhood hyperactivity (Southampton study) and MCAS reactions.
Full ingredients (from label)
WaterCetyl AlcoholPPG-15 Stearyl EtherCelluloseGlycerinPolysorbate 60Salicylic AcidSteareth-21C12-15 Alkyl LactateGlycolic AcidCetyl LactatePotassium Cetyl PhosphateSodium HydroxideXanthan GumCocamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride PhosphateDisodium EDTAFragranceMentholBenzalkonium ChlorideNeopentyl Glycol Dicaprylate/DicaprateAgarBHTSodium Benzotriazolyl Butylphenol SulfonateCI 77492 (Iron Oxides)MicaCI 19140 (Yellow 5)Titanium DioxideCI 73360 (Red 30)CI 16035 (Red 40)CI 77491 (Iron Oxides). 1343314
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.