Is Dentifrice Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Colgate
Dentifrice is one of the oral care products analyzed by Zerotox for Colgate. The product scores 60/100 in Zerotox, meaning it looks generally acceptable but still includes some ingredients worth reviewing.
The sections below explain why ingredients like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Peg 12, Sodium Saccharin affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes sodium lauryl sulfate, a synthetic surfactant, and sodium saccharin, an artificial sweetener, raising concerns about synthetic additives. However, it also contains beneficial ingredients like hydrated silica for cleaning.
Main concern
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a synthetic surfactant that can cause irritation in some individuals.
Why it matters: This ingredient is flagged in our analysis based on regulatory and scientific sources. Check the Ingredients section for details and see Data sources for methodology.
Regulation status: Ingredient safety is assessed from EU/EPA/CIR and similar databases; formulations may vary. Always read the product label.
Pros
- Hydrated silica acts as a mild abrasive, aiding in plaque removal without damaging enamel.
- Glycerin provides moisture, helping to maintain a pleasant texture and mouthfeel during use.
Concerns
- Sodium lauryl sulfate is a synthetic surfactant that can cause irritation in some individuals.
- Sodium saccharin is an artificial sweetener, raising concerns about synthetic additives in oral care products.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid sulfates
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this oral care.
-
Is Water safe in this oral care?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as a solvent, dissolving other ingredients and providing a base for the formulation.
Role in formula: base
Original: Water
-
Is Sorbitol safe in this oral care?
Medium
Sorbitol is used here as sweetener. Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol used as a sweetener and humectant, helping to retain moisture but may cause digestive issues in high amounts.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sorbitol
-
Is Hydrated Silica safe in this oral care?
Good
Hydrated Silica is used here as abrasive. Hydrated silica is a mild abrasive that helps in cleaning teeth without damaging enamel, contributing positively to oral hygiene.
Role in formula: abrasive
Original: Hydrated Silica
-
Is Glycerin safe in this oral care?
Good
Glycerin is used here as base. Glycerin is a humectant that helps retain moisture, improving the texture and mouthfeel of the toothpaste.
Role in formula: base
Original: Glycerin
-
Is Calcium Pyrophosphate safe in this oral care?
Medium
Calcium Pyrophosphate is used here as stabilizer. Calcium pyrophosphate is used to prevent tartar buildup but may raise concerns due to its synthetic nature.
Role in formula: stabilizer
Original: Calcium Pyrophosphate
-
Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate safe in this oral care?
Bad
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is used here as surfactant. Sodium lauryl sulfate is a synthetic surfactant that can cause irritation and dryness in some users, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
-
Is Peg 12 safe in this oral care?
Bad
Peg 12 is used here as surfactant. PEG-12 is a synthetic polymer that can be associated with skin irritation and concerns about contamination during manufacturing.
Role in formula: surfactant
Original: PEG-12
-
Is Aroma safe in this oral care?
Medium
Aroma is used here as flavor. Aroma is a vague term that can refer to various flavoring agents, raising concerns about potential allergens or irritants.
Role in formula: flavor
Original: aroma
-
Is Cellulose Gum safe in this oral care?
Medium
Cellulose Gum is used here as thickener. Cellulose gum is a thickening agent that helps improve texture but is a processed ingredient with mixed safety profiles.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: cellulose gum
-
Is Sodium Fluoride safe in this oral care?
Good
Sodium Fluoride is used here as antimicrobial. Sodium fluoride is effective in preventing tooth decay and strengthening enamel, contributing positively to oral health.
Role in formula: antimicrobial
Original: Sodium Fluoride
-
Is Sodium Saccharin safe in this oral care?
Bad
Sodium Saccharin is used here as sweetener. Sodium saccharin is an artificial sweetener that raises concerns about synthetic additives and potential health implications.
Role in formula: sweetener
Original: Sodium Saccharin
-
Is Ci 74160 safe in this oral care?
Bad
Ci 74160 is used here as colorant. CI 74160 is a synthetic colorant that may raise concerns due to its artificial nature and potential for allergic reactions.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: CI 74160
-
Is Ci 74260 safe in this oral care?
Bad
Ci 74260 is used here as colorant. CI 74260 is another synthetic colorant that can cause allergic reactions in sensitive individuals, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: colorant
Original: CI 74260
How we score
Our safety scores and ingredient breakdowns are based on regulatory and scientific sources. See Data sources & methodology and How Zerotox works for full details.
Product info
Product ID: 4284007
More from this brand: Colgate products in Zerotox
Similar products: oral_care in Zerotox database
Report / complain: You may report errors or complain about this product or its formulation to hello [at] zeroto.app . Published for transparency.