Closeup Toothpaste

Why it's rated this way

5 ingredients on this label are flagged. A cosmetic's rating is set by its most serious finding — here, Zinc Sulphate.

1. Zinc SulphateHigh concernEU CosIng Annex III

   What it is

   Its recorded role: antimicrobial and skin conditioning. About Zinc Sulphate

   Why it's flagged

   EU CosIng Annex III

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

2. Sodium HydroxideMinor concernAlkali (lye). It is used up in the product: as a pH adjuster it neutralises an acid in the formula, and in soap it turns the oils into soap. The EU caps the alkalinity it may leave (pH 11 for pH-adjuster use); the higher limits, with warnings, are only for hair straighteners, cuticle removers and depilatories.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: buffering and denaturant. About Sodium Hydroxide

   Why it's flagged

   Alkali (lye). It is used up in the product: as a pH adjuster it neutralises an acid in the formula, and in soap it turns the oils into soap. The EU caps the alkalinity it may leave (pH 11 for pH-adjuster use); the higher limits, with warnings, are only for hair straighteners, cuticle removers and depilatories.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions; Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

3. Ci 77891Minor concernPermitted white pigment and UV filter. Inhaled titanium dioxide powder is a suspected carcinogen, so the EU restricts it in loose face powders and hair sprays and bars it from any product that could be breathed in; in creams, toothpaste and other non-sprayed products those limits do not come into play.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: uv filter and uv absorber. About Ci 77891

   Why it's flagged

   Permitted white pigment and UV filter. Inhaled titanium dioxide powder is a suspected carcinogen, so the EU restricts it in loose face powders and hair sprays and bars it from any product that could be breathed in; in creams, toothpaste and other non-sprayed products those limits do not come into play.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex IV — permitted colourant, with conditions; Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

4. Ci 16035Minor concernPermitted cosmetic colorant.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: colorant and hair dyeing. About Ci 16035

   Why it's flagged

   Permitted cosmetic colorant.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex IV — permitted colourant, with conditions; Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

5. Sodium FluorideMinor concernAnticavity active in toothpaste; beneficial at compliant levels.

   What it is

   Its recorded role: antiplaque and oral care. About Sodium Fluoride

   Why it's flagged

   Anticavity active in toothpaste; beneficial at compliant levels.

   Regulatory basis

   EU Cosmetics Regulation, Annex III — allowed only within set limits and conditions; Greenveil's curated cosmetic-ingredient concern list.

   How sure we are

   High confidence. The label names this substance exactly.

Assessed against the label as captured: 16 of 18 ingredients recognised.