How to safely avoid sunburn in the age of coronavirus 01 to 2 parts per million of benzene in some samples.Īveeno’s Protect + Refresh aerosol, which was the fifth sunscreen recalled by J&J, was not tested by Valisure. Samples of three of the recalled Neutrogena spray sunscreens – Beach Defense, Invisible Daily and Ultra Sheer – and one CVS brand – After-sun Aloe Vera Soothing Spray – had levels of benzene that were 2 parts per million or higher, according to Valisure’s tests.Īnother spray, Neutrogena’s Cool Dry Sport, and CVS Health’s After-sun Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel, tested at. “It’s obvious that we shouldn’t be taking that risk, and we just wanted it cleaned up.” “We petitioned the FDA to recall or to request recalls of the products that are 0.1 per million and above,” Light told CNN. Multiple samples contained “significantly detectable benzene and some batches contained up to 3.1 times the conditionally restricted limit,” according to the citizen petition asking for action that Valisure filed with the US Food and Drug Administration. I’m quite a heavy user of sunscreen myself I have five kids and we all use sunscreen, so it was rather concerning to find such high levels,” Light said. “The finding of benzene in sunscreen was certainly surprising to me as a scientist and a consumer.

Of those, 78 samples tested positive for benzene.Ĭontamination appeared in specific batches of sunscreen, rather than a specific brand, said David Light, CEO and founder of Valisure, the independent lab that ran the tests. The voluntary recalls and pause in sales came after an independent lab tested 294 samples from 69 brands of sprays, lotions, gels and creams designed to protect the skin from the sun or care for the skin after sun. However, one of the CVS products on the list of benzene-contaminated products, After-sun Aloe Vera Moisturizing Gel, “is still for sale,” DeAngelis said.

He said that “CVS products have not been recalled,” but the company has paused sales of the two CVS products, which tested positive for benzene, “out of an abundance of caution.” CVS Health is working with the supplier of the products to “take appropriate additional steps,” he added. Mike DeAngelis, senior director of CVS Health’s corporate communications, told CNN the company is “cooperating with Johnson & Johnson’s voluntary recall.” Specific lots of all recalled Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreens can be found here, and customers can call with questions and request a refund by completing this form, or calling 1-80.ĬVS also stopped selling CVS Health After Sun Aloe Vera and CVS Health After Sun Aloe Vera Spray a day after the Johnson & Johnson recall was announced. How did brand-name sunscreens become contaminated with benzene? Should you be concerned? And what can you do to protect yourself and your family? We’ve gathered answers to these questions and more.Īll batches, or lots, of these four Neutrogena spray sunscreens and one Aveeno spray were voluntarily recalled this week by parent company Johnson & Johnson (J&J) “out of an abundance of caution”:Ģ2 sun hats to keep you cool (and sunburn-free) all summer Ranella Hirsch, a past president of the American Society of Cosmetic Dermatology and Aesthetic Surgery, posted on Instagram.

To do so would be like hearing a particular car model was recalled and then committing to never drive again,” dermatologist Dr. “It is NOT a reason to stop using sun protection, which is known to prevent skin cancer. The vast majority of tested sunscreens, however, were free of benzene, and experts stress the importance of sunscreen use to protect skin from the aging and cancerous effects of the sun. But other sunscreens and after-sun cosmetics, which also tested positive for the toxin, remain on the market (the full list is below). Light said to the best of his knowledge other sunscreens and after-sun cosmetics, which also tested positive for the toxin, remain on the market.ĬVS Health also stopped selling two of its after-sun care products due to similar findings. The companies recently pulled several sunscreens from market shelves after independent testing had found they were contaminated with a cancer-causing chemical called benzene.ĬVS Health and Coppertone also voluntarily stopped selling several sunscreen or after-sun care products due to similar findings. How to safely exercise outdoors when it's hot out

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