red
Oxybenzone 4%
Chemical UV filter. Documented endocrine disruptor; restricted in Hawaii, Florida, Aruba.
FDA Matta et al. JAMA 2019 (systemic absorption); Hawaii Act 104 sunscreen restriction
Low Tox Gear · Scanner
Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30
Is Cetaphil Pro Oil Absorbing Moisturizer SPF 30 low tox? Our scanner flagged 9 ingredients (1 in the avoid tier, 8 caution) on its published label, screened against our 237 source-cited chemical rules.
1 avoid8 caution
9 ingredients flagged
What we flagged
amber
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%
Common UVA filter — degrades in sunlight unless stabilised.
amber
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
Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer
Synthetic polymer film-former. Microplastic concern (rinse-off products), low-grade monomer-residue concern.
amber
PEG-100 Stearate
Manufacturing process can leave 1,4-dioxane (probable carcinogen) and ethylene oxide as contaminants. Look for 'vacuum-stripped' products.
amber
Phenoxyethanol
Preservative — generally well-tolerated but documented as MCAS and contact-dermatitis trigger in sensitive individuals.
Full ingredients (from label)
Active Ingredients: Avobenzone 3%Homosalate 10%Octisalate 5%Octocrylene 2.7%Oxybenzone 4%. Inactive Ingredients: WaterDimethiconeStyrene/Acrylates CopolymerIsodecyl NeopentanoateGlycerinPEG-100 StearateGlyceryl StearateDimethicone CrosspolymerCetyl AlcoholPhenoxyethanolXanthan GumSodium HydroxideDisodium EDTAAcrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate CrosspolymerCaprylyl GlycolEthylhexylglycerinTocopheryl AcetateButylene GlycolSodium HyaluronateOlea Europaea (Olive) Fruit OilTetrahexyldecyl AscorbateTocopherol.
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.