Benzene has been found in some sunscreens
Today’s blog is by Gayl Southard, for SafeSourcing.
For years the general public has been advised to use sunscreen when out at the beach or while enjoying outside activities in order to prevent skin damage. Recently, Neutrogena and Aveeno have voluntarily recalled their sunscreen products that contain benzene (a cancer-causing ingredient). According to the National Cancer Institute, exposure to benzene can lead to leukemia and other blood disorders. CVS Health stopped selling two of their after-sun care products due to suspected toxins. The majority of sunscreens have no problems; however, the following products have voluntarily been recalled:
Neutrogena Beach Defense (aerosol)
Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport (aerosol)
Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense (aerosol)
Aveeno Protect and Refresh (aerosol)
What in Benzene? Benzene is a natural compound of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke and ranks in the top 20 chemicals used for production of lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, pesticides, as well as plastic, resins and nylon and synthetic fibers according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It is a colorless or light-yellow liquid with a sweet odor. It is flammable and floats on water.
It is suspected that benzene was a contaminant that made its way into the sunscreen product during manufacturing. Or it could be a byproduct of the process of making chemicals that companies use to formulate personal care products and sunscreens.
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References
Sandra LaMotte, CNN, 7/17/2021
