red
Red 33
Banned by FDA in food (2025) over thyroid carcinogenicity. Iodine-containing.
Low Tox Gear · Scanner
CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30
Is CeraVe AM Facial Moisturizing Lotion SPF 30 low tox? Our scanner flagged 10 ingredients (1 in the avoid tier, 9 caution) on its published label, screened against our 237 source-cited chemical rules.
1 avoid9 caution
10 ingredients flagged
What we flagged
amber
Active Ingredients: Homosalate 10
EU SCCS flagged endocrine concerns; restricted concentration since 2023.
amber
Octisalate 5
Salicylate UV filter — milder profile than oxybenzone but absorbs systemically (FDA TEA).
amber
Octocrylene 2
Chemical UV filter. Photoallergen risk and benzophenone breakdown over time.
Downs et al. Chemical Research in Toxicology 2021 (benzophenone degradation)
amber
Cyclopentasiloxane
EU PBT (persistent, bioaccumulative, toxic). Restricted in rinse-off cosmetics.
amber
PEG-100 Stearate
Manufacturing process can leave 1,4-dioxane (probable carcinogen) and ethylene oxide as contaminants. Look for 'vacuum-stripped' products.
amber
Behentrimonium Methosulfate
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
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative — generally well-tolerated but documented as MCAS and contact-dermatitis trigger in sensitive individuals.
Full ingredients (from label)
Active Ingredients: Homosalate 10.0%Octisalate 5.0%Octocrylene 2.7%Zinc Oxide 7.3%
Inactive Ingredients: WaterCyclopentasiloxaneGlycerinCaprylic/Capric TriglycerideNiacinamidePEG-100 StearateGlyceryl StearateDimethiconeCetearyl AlcoholBehentrimonium MethosulfatePhenoxyethanolSodium HyaluronateCeramide NPCeramide APCeramide EOPPhytosphingosineCholesterolXanthan GumCarbomerDisodium EDTATocopherolEthylhexylglycerinMethylparabenPropylparabenRed 33 (CI 17200
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.