In May 2021, an independent laboratory published a chemical analysis of 294 batches of sunscreen and after-sun care products from 69 brands. Many of the sunscreens with the highest levels of contamination have either been recalled or removed from store shelves, but this kind of reactive recall does not prevent harm to consumers who have already used these products. The 2023 Readers Choice Awards are live. In the March discovery of benzene in some hand sanitizers by Valisure, the FDA provided a statement to Bloomberg News that said, The agency reminds manufacturers, distributors, repackagers and importers they are responsible for the quality of their products and urges manufacturers to test their ingredients to ensure they meet specifications and are free from harmful contamination. In that emailed statement, spokesman Jeremy Kahn added that retailers should remove products if they have concerns with quality. Future US LLC, 1100 13th St. NW, Suite 1000, Washington, DC 20005, Each product is hand-selected by our editors because we think you'll Most notably, there was no data on the timing of sunscreen use relative to when participants blood was drawn. All Rights Reserved. In other words: Benzene is not supposed to be anywhere near the sunscreen manufacturing process. Current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) literature suggests that benzene exposure can happen involuntarily around you on a daily basis, but Food and Drug Administration (FDA) officials have imposed a limit of two parts per million (2 ppm) in all pharmaceuticals, including sunscreen, to ensure it doesn't become an active ingredient. Just deciphering the words on a sunscreen bottle can be confusing. Not really, according to Ron Robinson, a cosmetic chemist and CEO of BeautyStat, because it begs the question (which will, of course, spur even more questions): How did it get there? And yet benzene contamination seems to be a more common health issue than ever expected, as independent testing by Valisure, a pharmaceutical analytical services company, published the results of its study citing more than 50 contaminated sunscreen products. MondayThursday : 8 a.m.4:45 p.m. Friday : 8 a.m.2:00 p.m. Youve likely heard that you need to be wearing sunscreen every day, both to keep your skin looking young and to protect you from ultraviolet (UV) radiation that can lead to skin cancer. If you must use a pump or spray, apply sunscreen to your hands first then wipe it on your skin to ensure uniform sun protection. ), The most likely theory is that benzene probably developed from a reaction caused from the propellant used to deliver the sunscreen from the bottle itself, Dr. Zeichner explains. Given the recent sunscreen recalls due to benzene contamination, there is potential for benzene exposure from sunscreens. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission. ", As far as texture goes, Umbra is pretty lightweight for a mineral sunscreen. An additional statement from Johnson & Johnson sent to Allure notes: "While the use of these products would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences, we are asking consumers to stop using them. Many personal care products are contaminated with toxic chemicals that can harm public health, from asbestos in childrens makeup to the presence of the forever chemicals known as PFAS in many cosmetics. CeraVe 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 50. It's also enriched with vitamin E. Apply this matte sunscreen to your face for both sun protection and some other skin benefits like pore minimization, shine control, and oil absorption. If you have any sunscreen in your home (and we hope you do! "The concern would be, had this not been brought to light, the diligent sunscreen user could have a huge lifetime exposure especially as when one considers that the skin is the largest organ of the body, and that many have become accustomed to applying it all over the body routinely," explains Kenneth Mark, M.D, a private-practicing dermatologist in the New York region and a clinical professor within New York University's Department of Dermatology. CeraVe's body sunscreen is formulated with zinc oxide and titanium dioxide plus three essential ceramides to lock in moisture and protect the skin barrier. At this point, we know that benzene pollutants in the environment can be dangerous. Whatever the source, benzene does not belong in consumer products. And instead of a tacky matte feeling, it dried down into a sheer, dewy finish. Consider Different Sunscreens for Different Needs, Rogers suggests getting different sunscreens for different parts of your body. Any benzene found in sunscreen is most likely due to contamination that occurred during the manufacturing process. The substance has been detected in sunscreen sprays, lotions and gel-based products, with the highest levels found in spray or aerosol sunscreens from several different brands. Because of concerns about their effect on the respiratory system, they are not eligible for participation in the EWG VERIFIED program. We are exposed to UV rays at all times, even on cloudy,overcast days. There's a sunscreen on our list that will work for just . For now, we cant be sure. But the report and the recall dont mean youre automatically exposing yourself to a carcinogen every time you lather upor, worse yet, that you shouldn't wear SPF. Here's where you can view a full list of sunscreens that did not test positive for benzene contamination within Valisure's study. Environmental Working Group. Johnson & Johnson announced Wednesday that the company is recalling five of its popular, briskly selling sunscreen products after finding they contain low levels of benzene. How dangerous is benzene? An active sunscreen ingredient known as oxybenzone has become increasingly condemned by health providers and ecologists alike, says Dr. Mark, as it's been "noted to ruin coral reefs and have negative effects on our endocrine system," he summarizes. How did benzene a chemical compound that's naturally found in crude oil and gasoline end up in sunscreen? "Instead, you want to look for physical blockers like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which can be found in baby sunscreens and most that are labeled for sensitive skin. Among the 10 brands with highest concentrations of benzene in their products, only Aveeno, Neutrogena and Coppertone have issued recalls. In the meantime, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates sunscreen, has released updated guidance about the risk of benzene contamination. J. Kevin Duplechain, MD, FACS In July, Johnson and Johnson voluntarily recalled a number of its aerosol spray sunscreens, including all Neutrogena Ultra Sheer aerosol products, citing very low levels of benzene detected in some of the products. 1. Sprays, gels, and lotions with both chemical and mineral-based formulations contained benzene, Valisure wrote. The zinc formula doesn't contain avobenzone, oxybenzone, parabens,or phthalates. Customers can also ask questions and request a refund by calling the JJCI Consumer Care Center 24/7 at 1-800-458-1673. Buy Now. Depending on how long you're exposed to it (and how it enters your body), benzene may impact your immediate health as well as influence cancer risk. While the agency evaluates the submitted citizen petition, we will continue to monitor the sunscreen marketplace and manufacturing efforts to help ensure the availability of safe sunscreens for U.S. "Sunscreens are meant to be applied liberally and often, so using a combination product could result in unnecessary high exposure to repellents. 1103 Kaliste Saloom Road #300 Readers' Choice Awards 2023: Breakthroughs. "There is nothing more important than safety. Feb 8, 2023 These Viral Bronzing Drops Just Came Back in StockHere Are My Honest Thoughts by Eleanor Vousden During the colder months, I miss the natural glow I get in the summer. It's also safe for use on sensitive skin and is noncomedogenic. This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated. BrandtDr. love it. Sunscreen is one of the most effective tools we have against the suns damaging UV rays, shielding us from annoying and dangerous skin issues, including skin cancer. Valisure recommends disposing of the affected batchesand you can even reach out to the lab to send it a sample of your SPF before tossing it. What we do know is that, even within the same brand, some sunscreens were found to contain benzene while others were not. The Personal Care Products Council (PCPC), an organization representing more than 90 percent of companies in the U.S. beauty industry, released a statement in support of the American consumer and acknowledging the Valisure report. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. If you have oily skin, opt for something with a matte finish and oil-free. In May 2021, an independent laboratory called on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue a recall after detecting benzene, a known human carcinogen, in 78 batches of sunscreen and. Skin Cancer Foundation. 14 Best Vitamin C Eye Creams for Brighter Undereyes. It's also free of essential oils and fragrances. Its unclear why these products are contaminated with this dangerous substance, but initial FDA reports suggest the source may be inactive petroleum-derived ingredients like thickening agents, spray propellants and antifungal preservatives. When Allure reached out we received the following statement: "The FDA takes seriously any safety concerns raised about products we regulate, including sunscreen. Benzene is a highly flammable and volatile chemical compound that can be traced back to crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke, where it's a byproduct of the refining process and burnt tobacco and tar. Sunscreen use is still very important for preventing skin cancer! While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our sunscreen products, it was detected in some samples of the impacted aerosol sunscreen finished products, Johnson & Johnson wrote in a July 14 press release following internal testing. or promote through one of our, Squalane + Zinc Sheer Mineral Sunscreen SPF 30 PA +++, Sea Set & Protect Mineral Sunscreen Powder Broad Spectrum SPF 30, Guards Up Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum Spf 35, Zinc Screen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40 PA+++, Clean Screen Mattifying Face Sunscreen SPF 30, Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30, Lilikoi Mineral Defense Sport Sunscreen SPF 30, These 5 Habits Are Wrecking Your SkinHere's What Experts Say to Do Instead. 2 of 17. Here are some guidelines to follow: "I recommend you reapply several times throughout the day, especially if you are exposing your body to direct sunlight," says Marmur. It contains 15.2% non-nano zinc oxide, sea fennel extract, and moringa seed extract. is a Yale-trained, board-certified dermatologist, Oberlin College-bred feminist, medical media expert, fashion fanatic, mom, wife, and virgo. Max Block Sunscreen Lotion Water Resistant SPF 50 Maybelline Dewy + Smooth Foundation, SPF 18 Mineral Fusion Facial Moisturizer Lotion SPF 40 Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary. Oh, and there's no dreaded white cast either. Good Housekeeping participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. We all agree that it shouldn't be there. He also noted that, due to its volatility, benzene evaporates quickly, "so when you put it on your skin, I suspect most of it will evaporate before it has a chance of being absorbed.". The Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defense SPF 30 is a lightweight, cream-based mineral sunscreen made with zinc oxide and algae extract to shield sensitive skin from damaging UV rays. The latest are stemming from a study by Valisure, an independent, for-profit pharmacy and research testing lab, that found benzene, a carcinogen, in 78 of nearly 300 sunscreen samples tested. On their website, some products like the Protini Polypeptide Cream can range up to thousands of reviews with 4.5/5-stars. ", Chemistry professor Joe Schwarcz, director of the Office for Science and Society at McGill University in Montreal, told the Washington Post earlier this month that he estimates applying one application of a sunscreen with the highest level of benzene found in the Valisure study would be about the equivalent to half of the amount of benzene youd get from breathing city air for a day.
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