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In addition, benzophenone may also be an environmental hazard - it was originally patented as an herbicide.

Elta md tinted sunscreen show less skin#

Under California Proposition 65, there is no safe harbor for benzophenone in any personal care products, including sunscreens, anti-aging creams, and moisturizers.' ( Downs, Chem Res Tox 2021)īenzophenone in sunscreens may also help explain why some people have a photoallergic skin reaction to sunscreens containing octocrylene, as suggested by the testing of sunscreens by researchers in Belgium ( Foubert, ACS 2020). Its presence in food products or food packaging is banned in the United States. As noted by this team of scientists, 'Benzophenone is a mutagen, carcinogen, and endocrine disruptor.

and France, have shown that benzophenone seems to be formed by the degradation of a common sunscreen ingredient, octocrylene.

Benzophenone Contamination in SunscreensĮxperiments conducted by a research team in the U.S. Sign in as a CL member to view the table. See our lists, further below, of sunscreens, facial moisturizers, and lip balms or glosses that are less likely to be problematic - none of which has been reported to contain benzene). ( Note: Even if a product did not contain benzene, it may still contain ingredients that are potentially problematic. We've included a table that shows which products, out of more than 200 sunscreens, were found to be contaminated with benzene and which were not, as well as which have been recalled. We don't know the source of the benzene for certain, but it is likely to have arisen from other ingredients such as butane, isobutane, or propane, which are propellants in aerosol sprays. It is important to note that not all sunscreen products contain benzene and that uncontaminated products are available, should continue to be used, and are important for protecting against potentially harmful solar radiation. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) defines benzene as a carcinogen and lists 'inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact' as exposure routes. Department of Health and Human Services, the World Health Organization, and other regulatory agencies. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans according to the U.S. A study by Health Canada's Bureau of Chemical Hazards has shown that the application of sunscreen specifically increases the absorption rate of benzene through the skin. In addition, tests published in 2023 of 50 sunscreen products (purchased in 2021) found that 80% contained benzene, with three containing relatively higher amounts.įDA guidance suggests that no level of benzene is safe, and it is not permitted in these or other products. Sign in as a CL member to learn if these products have since been discontinued or reformulated and confirmed to have no detectable benzene. In January 2023, Banana Boat also expanded its recall of products found to contain benzene. In the months after benzene was reported in sunscreens, recalls were undertaken by Coppertone and by Johnson & Johnson (of certain Neutrogena sunscreens and one Aveeno sunscreen). After-sun products with the highest concentrations of benzene consisted of four gels and one spray. The next highest average concentrations of benzene (0.1 to 1 ppm) were in twelve products that were primarily sprays but included four lotions. The highest average concentrations of benzene (2 ppm to 6 ppm) were found in four sprays. Benzene was found in 43 out of 224 sunscreens and in 8 of 48 after-sun products. The products included sprays, gels, lotions, and creams. Benzene Contamination in Sunscreensīenzene, which has been linked to blood cancers, was reported in 2021 in a large number of sunscreens and after-sun products that were independently tested. We also compare the UV protection of sunscreen to sun-protection clothing. We have provided several tables showing more than two hundred examples of products that, either through testing or a review of ingredients, may pose some risk or appear to be safer than others.

Neither of these compounds appear on product labels but may be introduced during product manufacture and/or created by chemical reactions with the sunscreen itself, with more produced over the life of the product!Īs discussed below, certain ingredients in sunscreens appear to make a product more likely to contain benzene and/or benzophenone. Scientists have discovered at least two different compounds in sunscreens that are carcinogens - benzene and benzophenone. There are many important considerations when choosing a sunscreen beyond choosing a product with broad-spectrum UVA and UVB protection and the right SPF factor.