Should Johnson & Johnson’s Sunscreen Recall Worry You?
Recently, Johnson & Johnson recalled several of its spray sunscreen brands for fears of contamination of benzene, a known carcinogen. The brands include Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport, Beach Defense, and several Aveeno brands.
Benzene is a naturally occurring, flammable liquid that’s often part of processes like gasoline and crude oil production. It’s found in many detergents, dyes, drugs, and some skincare products. Benzene is also a known carcinogen, meaning it increases the risk of cancer. The FDA allows benzene in trace amounts. However, there are times when products exceed the stipulated limit, increasing the risk of long-term exposure.
Our friends at Prevention asked Dr. Rodney for her insight on the ingredient and if people should be worried about using sunscreens with benzene.