Hi, guys. Happy Caturday! It’s Memorial Day weekend, a.k.a. the unofficial summer kickoff. A lot of folks are hitting the pool or beach or other sunny points beyond armed with sunscreen, which is why I wanted to call attention to a related story evolving here in the U.S.
I’ll link some videos and articles below, but in a very abbreviated nutshell, a third-party lab recently tested a bunch of sunscreens and sun after-care products and found that 78 of the products they tested were contaminated with benzene, “a known carcinogen linked to a variety of harmful effects.
My hope is to not freak you out, just to highlight a developing story.
Along with a summary of their findings, the lab released two lists, one of the products that were contaminated with benzene, and another list of products that weren’t. They also included specific lot numbers of the batches they tested.
I was shocked to see some big brands among those on the contaminated list (Neutrogena, Banana Boat, Elta MD). I was even more shocked to see that the La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Sunscreen Lotion Spray I bought last month was on the naughty list.
So, the first thing I did was check the lot number on the bottom of my bottle, and the lot numbers didn’t match, so I breathed a short sigh of relief…but still. I’m tossing it to play it safe while this story develops.
Refreshingly, one of the other sunscreens I’ve been testing/wearing lately, Sun Bum Original Lotion SPF 70, was on the list of sunscreens that weren’t found to contain benzene, but some of the others — CeraVe Tinted Mineral Sunscreen, Bliss Block Star, La Roche Posay Anthelios 60 Melt-In Sunscreen Milk and Sun Bum SPF 70 Spray — weren’t among those that were tested at all, so…
It’s a lot to take in, I know. A dermatologist on YouTube who I really like, Dr. Dray, does a thorough overview of the situation and the info we have so far, and I found it extremely thoughtful and helpful, if you’re interested in researching it further.
Cassandra Bankson, a medical esthetician whose channel I also like, offered another good breakdown…
One thing is, there are a lot of sunscreens out there, as you know, and the lab only tested 294 of them, which doesn’t come remotely close to the whole kit and caboodle. Until the FDA gets involved or makes a statement, or issues any recalls, my plan is to continue to wear sunscreen and sun protective clothing, but I’ll stick to sunscreens I can find on the nice list for now, just to be as cautious as one can be in this sh*tshow, I guess.
Here’s some more information…
- The Valisure study/recall request and list of sunscreens that do contain benzene is here
- The Valisure list of sunscreens that do not contain benzene is here
- From Shape: A New Report Found the Carcinogen Benzene In 78 Popular Sunscreens
- From Dermatology Times: Detectable Levels of Benzene Noted in Some Sunscreen Batches, Valisure Highlights Controversy of Benzene Contamination in Sunscreen Products and Physician Weighs in on Sunscreen Contamination Controversy
In less serious news…what are you up to this weekend? What’s the weather like there? We’re still figuring out what we’re going to do, but I’m thinking first barbecue of the season. ?
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
I just picked up the same Sun Bum lotion, so I’m glad to hear it’s safe! The exact Neutrogena mist I have doesn’t appear to have been tested but many of the ones with other levels of SPF appear to be on the bad list, so I’m tossing it. So frustrating!
It was in the 90s last weekend but in the 40s yesterday here in Michigan. We’re back up to the 60s today, at least. Hettie and I plan to take a walk to the park later, and I think my husband is taking me out for bubble tea tonight.
Oooh and my Vanicream was on the good list too.
I saw this earlier today. Like you, I have a neutrogena on the list, but the lot numbers don’t match. I’m just not going to use it until I know. I would imagine there will be further testing and recalls over the summer.
I guess to be safer, I’ll go buy a bottle of one on the safe list. ?♀️ I have several others, but none of them were tested. It’s pretty scary, really, and I definitely don’t want to be putting that on my kids!
Karen this is fabulous information – I really appreciate your pointing this out. I quickly searched the sunscreen I had recommended for my 10 month old niece and 14 month old nephew. I am the one who burns in our family so they came to me for recommendations for the babies. Good to see that Thinksport and Sun Bum were safe guesses in the mineral only formulations.
Have you tried Mychelle products? I have heard they are very good and clean too but know no one who has tried them.
That pool behind you in the photo look divine. I’d love to be jumping in there on a vacation.
Have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend out there.
… this is why I’m not really “all for” sunscreen (I’m not necessarily against) but I do not feel confident that they’ve done enough testing on these ingredients and the possibility of side effects for those who use them daily (imagine you’re pregnant and found out the sunscreen you slather on your face daily is on the naughty list)… I’m not looking to start an argument with anyone or anything, this is just my opinion. I’ll use it if I’m going to be spending lots of time in peak hours, but the rest of the time? I’ll avoid the sun, wear a hat, etc. like I already do.
Thank you for posting this information. Benzene exposure is a known cause of lymphoma, which I have been treated for since 2017.
My family lived in California for 4 1/2 years when I was a kid, but we never got to see the Heart Castle (we did see Scotty’s Castle). Oddly, we also never got to see Yosemite, even though my father had vacationed in that area when he was a child. Maybe my parents were afraid of the bears – I just don’t know.
Thank you so much for putting this information out there. I was aware of the Korean sunscreen scandal that just broke recently, where some sunscreens were found to not have the exact SPF that was listed on the label, but considerably less SPF. This new scandal is way worse, obviously. I just bought a Bliss Block Star and really like it, and I am disappointed that it was not among the brands that were tested. I also have the Cerave AM day lotion, and nothing from Cerave looks like it was tested. I have an old tube of Maelove sunscreen that is over a year old, so I assume it is probably Ok, so I guess I will use it until I hear otherwise.
Unless there is information on what level of exposure with be carcinogen, I find the info useless. If benzene is not used in the production process, likely it’s in the ingredients used by various brands, and that means it’s in the environment. A quick google search show that benzene is present in fruits and vegetables, and one study found benzene in cranberries are actually higher than found in the foods and drinks.