Cancer Concerns: Johnson & Johnson Recalls Sunscreen Products over Finding Levels of Benzene

Posted on 07/16/2021


Sunscreen is used to prevent skin damage and skin cancer from the sun. Pharma giant Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling five of its sunscreen products after low levels of benzene were found in samples. Benzene is a chemical that can cause cancer after excess exposure.

Johnson & Johnson advised consumers to stop using the products. There was internal testing that found low levels of benzene in some sunscreen sprays.

The affected products, which were sold in aerosol cans, are Aveeno Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen, and four Neutrogena sunscreen versions: Beach Defense aerosol sunscreen, CoolDry Sport aerosol sunscreen, Invisible Daily Defense aerosol sunscreen, and UltraSheer aerosol sunscreen. The products were distributed nationwide through retailers.

CVS Health, Walgreens Boots Alliance, and Walmart Inc began pulling Johnson & Johnson’s sunscreen products off their shelves after the announcement.

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