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HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES Learn more About EWG VERIFIED®

Data: Limited

Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax

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Other Concerns

SYNONYMS

● COPERNIIA CERIFERA WAX
● COPERNICA CERIFERA WAXES
● CARNAUBA WAXES
● WAXES, COPERNICA CERIFERA
● WAXES, CARNAUBA
● COPERNICIA CERIFERA WAX
● COPERNICIA CEREFERA WAX
● CARNAUBA
● BRAZIL WAX
● COPERNICIA CERIFERA (CARNAUBA) WAX

This ingredient is not currently on EWG's Skin Deep Restricted or Unacceptable Lists.

Carnauba wax is extracted from the leaves of the carnauba palm, Copernicia cerifera, a plant native to Brazil.

Common concerns

See how this product scores for common concerns.

  • LOW
    Cancer
  • LOW
    Allergies & Immunotoxicity
  • LOW
    Developmental and Reproductive Toxicity
  • LOW
    Use Restrictions

Ingredient concerns

  • CONCERNS
  • DATA SOURCES

Products with this Ingredient

Expand content Collapse content
styling gel/lotion66 products
mascara1230 products
styling mousse/foam2 products
hair styling aid129 products
conditioner16 products
eye liner685 products
brow liner642 products
mask25 products
lip gloss482 products
lipstick1908 products
concealer275 products
eye shadow392 products
lip liner353 products
foundation522 products
facial powder15 products
anti-aging7 products
facial moisturizer/treatment50 products
lip balm770 products
setting powder/spray7 products
blush295 products
bronzer/highlighter176 products
diaper cream10 products
vapor rubs1 products
baby lotion14 products
moisturizer68 products
antiperspirant/deodorant45 products
antiperspirant/deodorant (men's)5 products
hand cream8 products
hair removal waxes2 products
body art2 products
beard oil2 products
body firming lotion10 products
serums & essences16 products
Oils & Serums2 products
exfoliant/scrub50 products
beard care16 products
facial cleanser11 products
toothpaste6 products
lip balm with SPF54 products
makeup primer30 products
recreational sunscreen47 products
body oil2 products
foot moisturizer4 products
lip plumper19 products
around-eye cream15 products
BB cream9 products
fragrance for women5 products
baby sunscreen12 products
makeup remover6 products
muscle/joint soreness1 products
bath oil/salts/soak7 products
body wash/cleanser2 products
Facial Cleansing Water1 products
glitter1 products
hair color and bleaching8 products
fragrance for men1 products
toners/astringents1 products
hair treatment/serum15 products
Exfoliants2 products
daily use with SPF8 products
eyelash glue1 products
other eye makeup3 products
hair spray1 products
shampoo2 products
Putties, Puddings & Clays4 products
foot odor control1 products
cuticle treatment1 products
Facial Sun Care4 products
detangler1 products
damaged skin treatment5 products
bar soap1 products
nail treatment1 products
Eye Shadow Primers1 products
exfoliant/scrub - large particle1 products
acne treatment1 products
bubble bath1 products
Preshave Preparations1 products

Allergies/immunotoxicity

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CONCERN REFERENCE
One or more human case studies show equivocal or allergenic effectsAllergic contact cheilitis caused by carnauba wax in a lip balm(2013-11-01)

Multiple, additive exposure sources

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Designated as safe for general or specific, limited use in foodUS. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Data gaps

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Risk assessment method deficiencies and data gaps - Maximum reported 'as used' concentration is basis of safety assessment by industry safety panel (Cosmetic Ingredient Review, CIR) - implicit safe concentration limit in productCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Informational

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Industry or government recommendations for safe use: restrictions on concentration, impurities, product types, or manufacturing methods - anyCosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)

Organ system toxicity (non-reproductive)

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Classified as not expected to be potentially toxic or harmfulEnvironment Canada

Ecotoxicology

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CONCERN REFERENCE
Not suspected to be an environmental toxinEnvironment Canada
  • Allergic contact cheilitis caused by carnauba wax in a lip balm(2013-11-01)
  • US. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
  • Cosmetic Ingredient Review (CIR)
  • Environment Canada

Understanding scores

Cosmetics and personal care products are not required to be tested for safety before being allowed on the market. The Skin Deep® scoring system was designed to help the public understand whether a product is safe to use or whether it contains ingredients of concern.

Every product and ingredient in Skin Deep gets a two-part score – one for hazard and one for data availability. The safest products score well by both measures, with a low hazard rating and a fair or better data availability rating.


HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

The Skin Deep ingredient hazard score, from 1 to 10, reflects known and suspected hazards linked to the ingredients. The EWG Verified® mark means a product meets EWG’s strictest criteria for transparency and health.

Score legend
WEIGHT-OF-EVIDENCE APPROACH

A product’s hazard score is not an average of the ingredients’ hazard scores. It is calculated using a weight-of-evidence approach that factors in all of the hazards or health impacts associated with the ingredients.

Data availability

The Skin Deep data availability rating reflects the number of scientific studies about the product or ingredient in the published scientific literature.

NONE LIMITED FAIR GOOD ROBUST
Low Availability
Moderate Availability
High Availability
NONE

Ingredients have not been assessed.

LIMITED-FAIR

There is only a modest volume of research.

GOOD-ROBUST

Ingredients have been studied extensively.

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