What is the ingredient/chemical in sunscreen that causes cancer?
Laboratory testing performed by Valisure found that dozens of sunscreen and after-sun care products contain the industrial chemical benzene.;
The toxicity of benzene has been documented for more than 100 years. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classifies benzene as “carcinogenic to humans.” The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also classified benzene as a human carcinogen. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates sunscreens and considered them drugs, classifies benzene as a “Class 1 solvent” that should not be used in the manufacture of drug substances and drug products.
Can sunscreen give you cancer?
Sunscreen that contains benzene could cause cancer. Although no specific studies have been performed on benzene sunscreens and cancer, samples of popular sunscreen brands tested by Valisure detected benzene. Valisure cites Dr. Christopher Bunick, Associate Professor of Dermatology at Yale University, who says that, “There is not a safe level of benzene that can exist in sunscreen products.”
When sunscreen containing benzene is applied to the skin, the body absorbs it and the chemical enters the bloodstream, where it can cause cancer. IARC notes that benzene exposure is linked to acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), multiple myeloma, and non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
Is there benzene in sunscreen?
Not all sunscreens contain benzene. However, Valisure’s research indicates that many popular sunscreen brands do contain benzene. These brands include:
- Neutrogena;
- Sun Bum
- CVS Health;
- Fruit of the Earth
- Raw Elements
- SunBurnt
- Goodsense
- Banana Boat
- TopCare;
- Everyday
- EltaMD
- Babyganics
- Walgreens
- Raw Elements
- Coppertone
- Max Block
- Solimo
- Equate
- LaRoche-Posay
- Aveeno
- Up & Up
Valisure analyzed nearly 300 unique batches from dozens of sunscreen brands and detected benzene in 78 product batches, including 26 products with benzene levels between 0.1 parts per million (ppm) and 2 ppm, and 14 products with benzene levels over 2 ppm. “Even benzene at 0.1 ppm in a sunscreen could expose people to excessively high nanogram amounts of benzene,” Dr. Christopher Bunick told Valisure.
Is Neutrogena carcinogenic?
Multiple types of Neutrogena sunscreen were found by Valisure to contain benzene. Specific Neutrogena products in which benzene was detected include:
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100+
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Weightless Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70
- Neutrogena Beach Defense Oil-Free Body Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100
- Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60+
- Neutrogena Beach Defense Spray Body Sunscreen SPF 50
- Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Water-Resistant Sunscreen Spray SPF 70
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30;
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 45
- Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Dry-Touch Water Resistant Sunscreen SPF 70
- Neutrogena CoolDry Sport Water-Resistant Sunscreen Spray SPF 50
Johnson & Johnson, the company that owns Neutrogena, issued a voluntary recall of some Neutrogena sunscreen products in response to Valisure testing results. J&J said that benzene is not an ingredient in any of its sunscreen products and that the recall is being done out of “an abundance of caution.”
Which sunscreen has no benzene?
The sunscreens that Valisure tested do not list benzene as an active ingredient. Therefore, Valisure concludes, benzene-positive sunscreens may have somehow been contaminated. But many batches of sunscreen that Valisure tested contain no detectable benzene, including brands by the following manufacturers:
- Equate
- Neutrogena
- Up & Up
- Supergoop!
- Banana Boat
- Revlon
- Sun Bum
- Hawaiian Tropic
- Max Block
- Aveeno
Notably, many of the brands with sunscreen products on this list also make sunscreens that tested positive for benzene. You can see the full list of sunscreen batches for which benzene was not detected here.
Does oxybenzone cause cancer?
Oxybenzone is a common active ingredient in sunscreens. The FDA says that oxybenzone is safe, but environmental and health groups have concerns over the chemical.
The Environmental Working Group (EWG) calls oxybenzone “the most worrisome sunscreen active ingredient.” It’s been shown to cause allergic skin reactions, behave like an endocrine disruptor (i.e., interfere with normal hormone function), and is potentially more harmful to children. A rat study from the National Toxicology Program links oxybenzone to “equivocal evidence of carcinogenic activity.” And beginning in 2021, Hawaii is banning sunscreen products containing oxybenzone due to concerns that the ingredient damages coral reefs.
Contact Morgan & Morgan About a Sunscreen Cancer Lawsuit
Sunscreen is supposed to prevent skin cancer—not cause it. Serious questions remain about how benzene ended up in these products and what the manufacturers knew, or should have known, about cancer causing ingredients in sunscreen. What’s certain is that a known human carcinogen has no place in any product, never mind one that is intended to be applied every day, for a lifetime.
Morgan & Morgan, the nation’s largest personal injury law firm, is investigating the link between sunscreen and cancer. Many sunscreen brands are owned by large multinational companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Merck & Co. Taking on a big company requires a big law firm. We have a proven track record of representing the people, against the powerful, and achieving incredible results.
Did you use a sunscreen that, unbeknownst to you or your doctor, contains benzene? Have you been diagnosed with cancer? Our sunscreen cancer lawyers are ready to review your claim and let you know how we can help. Get in touch with Morgan & Morgan for a no-cost, no-obligation case review.