Is Q10 Day Cream Safe? Ingredient Analysis
Boots
Q10 Day Cream is one of the skincare products analyzed by Zerotox for Boots. 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 Fragrance, Bht affect the overall evaluation.
60 / 100
Why score is 60
The composition includes several synthetic ingredients like dimethicone and phenoxyethanol, which raise quality concerns. However, it also contains beneficial components like tocopherol and ubiquinone, contributing to a moderate rating.
Main concern
Dimethicone is a synthetic silicone that may cause buildup on the skin over time.
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
- Contains tocopherol, a natural antioxidant that helps protect skin from oxidative stress.
- Ubiquinone is included, known for its potential skin benefits and anti-aging properties.
- Glycerin acts as a humectant, helping to retain moisture in the skin.
- Caprylic/capric triglyceride is a good emollient, providing a smooth texture.
Concerns
- Dimethicone is a synthetic silicone that may cause buildup on the skin over time.
- Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that raises concerns about potential irritation.
- Fragrance (parfum) can be irritating for sensitive skin types.
- BHT is a synthetic antioxidant that has raised safety concerns in some studies.
Who should avoid this product?
This product may be less suitable for:
- people with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity
- users trying to avoid silicones
Ingredients breakdown
Instead of a flat list, this section explains each ingredient in the context of this skincare.
-
Is Water safe in this skincare?
Good
Water is used here as base. Water serves as the primary solvent in this cream, providing hydration and facilitating the absorption of other ingredients.
Role in formula: base
Original: aqua (water)
-
Is Octocrylene safe in this skincare?
Medium
Octocrylene is used here as uv_filter. Octocrylene is a UV filter that helps protect the skin from sun damage, but it is a synthetic compound with some safety concerns.
Role in formula: uv_filter
Original: octocrylene
-
Is Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane safe in this skincare?
Medium
Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane is used here as uv_filter. This ingredient is a synthetic UV filter effective against UVA rays, but it may cause skin irritation in some individuals.
Role in formula: uv_filter
Original: butyl methoxydibenzoylmethane
Read the full ingredient profile for Butyl Methoxydibenzoylmethane
-
Is Glyceryl Stearate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Glyceryl Stearate is used here as emulsifier. Glyceryl stearate is an emulsifier that helps blend oil and water components, but it is derived from glycerin and stearic acid, raising some processing concerns.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: glyceryl stearate
-
Is Ethylhexyl Stearate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ethylhexyl Stearate is used here as emollient. Ethylhexyl stearate is an emollient that provides a smooth texture, but it is a synthetic ester that may not be suitable for all skin types.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: ethylhexyl stearate
-
Is Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid safe in this skincare?
Medium
Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid is used here as uv_filter. This ingredient is a synthetic UV filter that protects against UVB rays, but it may cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: uv_filter
Original: phenylbenzimidazole sulfonic acid
Read the full ingredient profile for Phenylbenzimidazole Sulfonic Acid
-
Is Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate is used here as uv_filter. A synthetic UV filter effective against UVB rays, it raises concerns about potential skin irritation and environmental impact.
Role in formula: uv_filter
Original: ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate
Read the full ingredient profile for Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate
-
Is Caprylic Capric Triglyceride safe in this skincare?
Good
Caprylic Capric Triglyceride is used here as emollient. This ingredient is derived from coconut oil and glycerin, providing a lightweight emollient effect that helps moisturize the skin.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: caprylic/capric triglyceride
Read the full ingredient profile for Caprylic Capric Triglyceride
-
Is Cetearyl Alcohol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Cetearyl Alcohol is used here as emulsifier. Cetearyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol that acts as an emulsifier and thickener, but it is derived from natural sources and may cause irritation in some cases.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: cetearyl alcohol
-
Is Dimethicone safe in this skincare?
Medium
Dimethicone is used here as emollient. Dimethicone is a silicone that provides a smooth application but can lead to buildup on the skin, raising concerns for some users.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: dimethicone
-
Is Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer is used here as thickener. This synthetic polymer is used as a thickener and stabilizer, but its long-term safety is not well established.
Role in formula: thickener
Original: ammonium acryloyldimethyltaurate/vp copolymer
Read the full ingredient profile for Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate Vp Copolymer
-
Is Triethanolamine safe in this skincare?
Medium
Triethanolamine is used here as buffer. Triethanolamine is used to adjust pH levels but can be irritating to the skin and eyes, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: buffer
Original: triethanolamine
-
Is Ceteareth 20 safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ceteareth 20 is used here as emulsifier. Ceteareth-20 is a synthetic emulsifier that helps blend ingredients but may cause irritation for sensitive skin types.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: ceteareth-20
-
Is Ceteareth 12 safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ceteareth 12 is used here as emulsifier. Similar to ceteareth-20, this emulsifier aids in ingredient blending but may pose irritation risks for some users.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: ceteareth-12
-
Is Isopropyl Myristate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Isopropyl Myristate is used here as emollient. Isopropyl myristate is a synthetic emollient that enhances skin absorption but can cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: isopropyl myristate
-
Is Isopropyl Palmitate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Isopropyl Palmitate is used here as emollient. This synthetic emollient helps improve texture but may lead to clogged pores for some skin types.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: isopropyl palmitate
-
Is Cetyl Palmitate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Cetyl Palmitate is used here as emollient. Cetyl palmitate is a fatty acid ester that acts as an emollient, but it is derived from palm oil, raising sustainability concerns.
Role in formula: emollient
Original: cetyl palmitate
-
Is Glycerin safe in this skincare?
Good
Glycerin is used here as humectant. Glycerin is a natural humectant that draws moisture to the skin, enhancing hydration and overall skin texture.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: glycerin
-
Is Pentylene Glycol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Pentylene Glycol is used here as humectant. Pentylene glycol is a synthetic humectant that helps retain moisture but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: pentylene glycol
-
Is Caprylyl Glycol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Caprylyl Glycol is used here as humectant. This synthetic humectant helps retain moisture but may cause irritation for some individuals.
Role in formula: humectant
Original: caprylyl glycol
-
Is Phenoxyethanol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Phenoxyethanol is used here as preservative. Phenoxyethanol is a synthetic preservative that helps prevent microbial growth but raises concerns about potential irritation.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: phenoxyethanol
-
Is Dipropylene Glycol safe in this skincare?
Medium
Dipropylene Glycol is used here as solvent. Dipropylene glycol is a synthetic solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: dipropylene glycol
-
Is Fragrance safe in this skincare?
Bad
Fragrance is used here as fragrance. Fragrance can cause allergic reactions and irritation, particularly for sensitive skin types, raising safety concerns.
Role in formula: fragrance
Original: parfum (fragrance)
-
Is Disodium Edta safe in this skincare?
Medium
Disodium Edta is used here as chelating_agent. Disodium EDTA is a synthetic chelating agent that helps stabilize formulations but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: chelating_agent
Original: disodium edta
-
Is Ethylhexylglycerin safe in this skincare?
Medium
Ethylhexylglycerin is used here as preservative. Ethylhexylglycerin is a synthetic preservative that enhances product stability but may cause irritation for some users.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: ethylhexylglycerin
-
Is Lactic Acid safe in this skincare?
Good
Lactic Acid is used here as acidulant. Lactic acid is a natural alpha hydroxy acid that helps exfoliate and improve skin texture, contributing positively to the formulation.
Role in formula: acidulant
Original: lactic acid
-
Is Lecithin safe in this skincare?
Good
Lecithin is used here as emulsifier. Lecithin is a natural emulsifier derived from soy, helping to blend ingredients while being generally well-tolerated by skin.
Role in formula: emulsifier
Original: lecithin
-
Is Carnitine safe in this skincare?
Medium
Carnitine is used here as other. Carnitine is included for its potential skin benefits, but its specific role in this formulation is not well-defined.
Role in formula: other
Original: carnitine
-
Is Bht safe in this skincare?
Bad
Bht is used here as antioxidant. BHT is a synthetic antioxidant that raises safety concerns due to potential health risks associated with long-term exposure.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: bht
-
Is Ubiquinone safe in this skincare?
Good
Ubiquinone is used here as natural_extract. Ubiquinone, or coenzyme Q10, is included for its antioxidant properties, potentially benefiting skin health and appearance.
Role in formula: natural_extract
Original: ubiquinone
-
Is Potassium Sorbate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Potassium Sorbate is used here as preservative. Potassium sorbate is a mild preservative that helps prevent microbial growth but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: preservative
Original: potassium sorbate
-
Is Trisodium Edta safe in this skincare?
Medium
Trisodium Edta is used here as chelating_agent. Trisodium EDTA is a synthetic chelating agent that stabilizes formulations but raises concerns about synthetic additives.
Role in formula: chelating_agent
Original: trisodium edta
-
Is Triethyl Citrate safe in this skincare?
Medium
Triethyl Citrate is used here as solvent. Triethyl citrate is a synthetic solvent that helps dissolve other ingredients but may cause irritation for sensitive skin.
Role in formula: solvent
Original: triethyl citrate
-
Is Tocopherol safe in this skincare?
Good
Tocopherol is used here as antioxidant. Tocopherol, or vitamin E, is a natural antioxidant that helps protect skin from oxidative damage, contributing positively to the formulation.
Role in formula: antioxidant
Original: tocopherol
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: 4279430
More from this brand: Boots products in Zerotox
Similar products: skincare 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.