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HAZARD SCORE RANGE
Scoring legend
HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES LEARN MORE ABOUT EWG VERIFIED®

HOME / recreational sunscreens / beach & sport sunscreen


Score

Trader Joe's Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 40

Trader Joe's Zinc Oxide Sunscreen Lotion, SPF 40

WHERE TO BUY

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CATEGORY

recreational sunscreens

BRAND

Trader Joe's

DATA LAST UPDATED

April 11, 2025

Health Concerns

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

Efficacy Concerns

  • Caution We have flagged this product with 0 concerns
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    Sunscreens can break down while still in the bottle. To be safe dispose of products when the mixture clumps or separates.
  • moderate
    UVA/UVB Balance

Ingredient Scores

Ingredients are scored based on their formulation and concentration in this product. Click on an ingredient for more information.

Zinc Oxide(Sunscreen Grade) active ingredient 20.5%
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Use restrictions (moderate), Persistence and bioaccumulation (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Ecotoxicology (low), Occupational hazards (moderate), Biochemical or cellular level changes (high)
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WATER
Data Availability: Robust
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CONCERNS
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ISOPROPYL PALMITATE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS
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CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS
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HYDROGENATED METHYL ABIETATE
Data Availability: None
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
GLYCERIN
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (moderate)
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SORBITAN LAURATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS
LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS INGREDIENT
OCTYLDODECYL CITRATE CROSSPOLYMER
Data Availability: None
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CONCERNS
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POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Endocrine disruption (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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PHENOXYETHANOL
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (moderate), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high), Occupational hazards (high)
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Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/VP Copolymer
Data Availability: None
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CONCERNS
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SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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METHYLCELLULOSE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS
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Sodium Lauryl Glucose Carboxylate
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
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POLYGLYCERYL-4 LAURATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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LAURYL GLUCOSIDE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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XANTHAN GUM
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS
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DILAURYL CITRATE
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS
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ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (moderate), Ecotoxicology (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (high)
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SODIUM PHYTATE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Non-reproductive organ system toxicity (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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LEUCONOSTOC/RADISH ROOT FERMENT FILTRATE
Data Availability: None
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CONCERNS Contamination concerns (Didecyldimethylammonium chloride)
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ALOE BARBADENSIS (ALOE VERA) LEAF JUICE
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Use restrictions (low)
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LONICERA JAPONICA (HONEYSUCKLE) FLOWER EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS
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LONICERA CAPRIFOLIUM (HONEYSUCKLE) FLOWER EXTRACT
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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POPULUS TREMULOIDES BARK EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (high), Endocrine disruption (moderate), Multiple, additive exposure sources (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (moderate)
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TOCOPHEROL
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Endocrine disruption (low), Contamination concerns (HYDROQUINONE)
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GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS
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GLUCONOLACTONE
Data Availability: Limited
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CONCERNS Cancer (low), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Irritation (skin, eyes, or lungs) (low)
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GINKGO BILOBA (MAIDENHAIR TREE) LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Cancer (moderate), Developmental/reproductive toxicity (low), Allergies/immunotoxicity (low), Use restrictions (low)
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CAMELLIA SINENSIS (GREEN TEA) LEAF EXTRACT
Data Availability: Good
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CONCERNS Allergies/immunotoxicity (moderate), Use restrictions (low)
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BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA (BAMBOO) STEM EXTRACT
Data Availability: Fair
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CONCERNS
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Ingredients from label

Active Ingredients: ZINC OXIDE 20.5%; Inactive Ingredients: WATER (AQUA), ISOPROPYL PALMITATE, CAPRYLIC/CAPRIC TRIGLYCERIDE, HYDROGENATED METHYL ABIETATE, GLYCERIN, SORBITAN LAURATE, OCTYLDODECYL CITRATE CROSSPOLYMER, POLYHYDROXYSTEARIC ACID, SIMMONDSIA CHINENSIS (JOJOBA) SEED OIL, PHENOXYETHANOL, AMMONIUM ACRYLOYLDIMETHYLTAURATE/VP COPOLYMER, SODIUM STEAROYL GLUTAMATE, METHYLCELLULOSE, SODIUM LAURYL GLUCOSE CARBOXYLATE, POLYGLYCERYL-4 LAURATE, LAURYL GLUCOSIDE, XANTHAN GUM, DILAURYL CITRATE, ETHYLHEXYLGLYCERIN, SODIUM PHYTATE, LEUCONOSTOC/RADISH ROOT FERMENT FILTRATE, ALOE BARBADENSIS LEAF JUICE, LONICERA JAPONICA (HONEYSUCKLE) FLOWER EXTRACT, LONICERA CAPRIFOLIUM (HONEYSUCKLE) FLOWER EXTRACT, POPULUS TREMULOIDES BARK EXTRACT, TOCOPHEROL, GLYCINE SOJA (SOYBEAN) OIL, GLUCONOLACTONE, GINKGO BILOBA LEAF EXTRACT, CAMELLIA SINENSIS LEAF EXTRACT, BAMBUSA ARUNDINACEA STEM EXTRACT.

PETA Cruelty-free Companies

Companies that join the "Caring Consumer" program of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, a leading international animal rights advocacy organization, attest that "neither they nor their ingredient suppliers conduct or commission any animal tests on ingredients, formulations or finished products, and that they pledge not to do so in the future."

LEARN MORE ON PETA.ORG


Understanding scores

Not all sunscreen products are the same when it comes to sun protection and ingredient health hazards. The scoring system for EWG’s Guide to Sunscreens is designed to help the public find products that are safer, avoid ingredients of concern, and are more effective in reducing potential health harms from ultraviolet A and B exposure.

Every product in the guide gets a hazard and efficacy rating. The top scoring products have both a low hazard rating and an excellent UVA/UVB balance rating.

HOW WE DETERMINE SCORES

Hazard score

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

Scoring 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.

EWG Verified Process

EWG Verified logo
EWG VERIFIED

Beyond the hazard score, the EWG Verified® mark on a sunscreen indicates that a sunscreen company’s ingredient disclosures show the product has met our full criteria to ensure it adheres to our strictest standards for efficacy, ingredient safety and transparency.

A SUNSCREEN CAN BECOME EWG Verified IF IT:
  • Meets EWG's criteria for overall product hazard score
  • Is formulated to provide balanced UVA/ UVB protection
  • Does not contain any ingredients on EWG's "Unacceptable" list
  • Discloses all ingredients, including those in fragrance.

Learn more about EWG Verified.


TIPS

Sunscreen alone
is not enough

VIEW THE LIST

Wear clothes

Shirts, hats, shorts and pants shield your skin from the sun’s UV rays, reducing burn risk.

Plan around the sun

Go outdoors in early morning or late afternoon when the sun is lower in the sky.

Find shade – or make it

Picnic under a tree or take a canopy to the beach. Keep infants in the shade, reducing the risk of multiple burns by 30 percent.


Don’t get burned

Red, sore, blistered skin means you’ve gotten far too much sun.

Sunglasses are essential

Not just a fashion accessory, sunglasses protect your eyes from UV radiation.

Check UV Index

The UV Index provides important information to help you plan your outdoor activities in ways that prevent sun overexposure.


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