New Study shows carcinogen in many popular Sunscreens

A new study conducted by online pharmacy and lab Valisure claims several popular brands of sunscreen contain traces of a chemical tied to blood cancers including leukemia. According to the study results, benzene, a known carcinogen, was found in 78 of nearly 300 sprays and lotions tested — about 27% — including products sold by Banana Boat and CVS. Valisure says it analyzed 294 unique batches of sunscreen from 69 different companies. Of the tested products, 14 contained higher levels of benzene than the FDA a restricts.

In a petition, the company has asked the FDA to recall these contaminated batches. The regulating body is reviewing the claim, issuing a statement which read, “The FDA takes seriously any safety concerns raised about products we regulate, including sunscreen.” Sunscreens and after-sun, classified as cosmetics, are generally subject to FDA regulation.

The chemical is identified as “a colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical at room temperature.” Valisure states that it’s been used “primarily as a solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries.”  Trace levels of benzene can be found in cigarette smoke, gasoline, glues, adhesives, cleaning products and paint strippers.

Valisure also reported that 14 sun care product lots with some of the highest contaminations are sold across four different popular brands — Neutrogena, Sun Bum, CVS Health and Fruit of the Earth. Not all of the aforementioned brands’ products were found to contain benzene, and lists of products found to contain and not to contain benzene are included further down the page in Valisure’s petition form.

For example, Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100+ and Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70 were among 14 products Valisure claims have some of the highest levels of benzene tested. But products like Neutrogena’s Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 and Oil-free Facial Moisturizer with Sunscreen SPF 15 were not found to contain the carcinogen.

Valisure is asking for a recall of the affected products and provided a full list. 

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