5 Things You Should Know About the Recent Sunscreen Recall

The summer months are filled with outdoor activities, trips to the beach, and—most importantly—sunscreen. Everyone knows the health benefits of applying the right SPF, but recent evidence has exposed that some sunscreen products contain benzene, a harmful chemical known to cause cancer. You want to make sure your family is safe while enjoying some fun in the sun, so here are five things you should know about the recent sunscreen recall:

1. Benzene Is Dangerous in All Forms

While we’re all constantly exposed to some level of benzene through car exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke, daily exposure to benzene in a concentrated form can have serious health consequences. This is especially evident if the chemical is absorbed through the skin, which is exactly what sunscreen is designed to do. 

2. 78 Aerosol Sunscreen Products Were Found to Contain Benzene

Valisure, an online lab, completed an investigation and found that 78 aerosol sunscreen products contained benzene. Trace amounts of the chemical can be found in all sunscreen products, but the products that were tested contained amounts much higher than the average. For the full list of affected products, click here.

3. Only Certain Sunscreen Products Were Recalled From Shelves… For Now

Johnson & Johnson, the parent company behind the affected sunscreen, recently issued a recall on the following products:

• Neutrogena Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen
• Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen
• Neutrogena Invisible Daily Defense aerosol sunscreen
• Neutrogena Ultra Sheer aerosol sunscreen
• Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen

Although only these five products were subject to the recall, you should treat all sunscreen products that were included in the list with scrutiny until more information is available.

4. Johnson & Johnson Is “Unsure” How the Dangerous Chemical Ended Up in Their Product

Upon learning that their sunscreen contains benzene, Johnson & Johnson quickly recalled their affected products. However, they stated that they’re unsure how the chemical ended up in their product, which is concerning when considering the amount of sunscreen the company manufactures. 

5. You Shouldn’t Avoid Sunscreen Altogether

Despite the concern of health risks, the elevated amount of benzene in these sunscreen products will only cause issues after long periods of exposure. There are many sunscreen brands that don’t contain benzene, and you should seek out one of these options to continue protecting yourself and your loved ones from harmful UV rays.

Contact Morgan & Morgan

No one should have to question the safety of a product they bought in a store, especially when that product is something you rely on for protection. Although Johnson & Johnson did the right thing by recalling their dangerous product, their actions still endangered millions of innocent families. If you believe that you or a loved one developed health problems from these contaminated sunscreen products, Morgan & Morgan can help you recover the compensation you need to get back on your feet.

Complete a free, no-risk case evaluation to get started.