Does Sunscreen Cause Cancer?

What is benzene?

Benzene is a chemical that occurs naturally in the environment. It is used to make plastics, synthetic fibers, dyes, and detergents and is present in motor vehicle exhaust, gasoline, and tobacco smoke. Benzene is also found inside homes and can be present in certain types of wood, furniture, and even indoor air fresheners. 

Is benzene harmful?

Benzene can cause harmful health effects in humans and is a known human carcinogen (cancer-causing substance). Acute exposure to high concentrations of benzene can cause dizziness, drowsiness, headaches, and nausea. Chronic exposures to benzene are associated with blood disorders, including some types of leukemia. The current knowledge of benzene’s health effects is largely based on studies of humans with high-level workplace exposures occurring over years.

How could I be exposed to benzene?

While occupational exposure to benzene is well described, it is also possible to be exposed to benzene at home or outdoors. Most human exposures to benzene occur through inhalation, but benzene can also be absorbed through the skin or the gastrointestinal system. The act of inhaling tobacco smoke, gas station fumes, or vehicle exhaust can result in benzene exposure. Fortunately, most non-workplace exposures to benzene are low-level exposures and are not strongly linked to adverse health effects.

Is there benzene in sunscreen?

In 2021, the independent testing company Valisure detected the presence of benzene in multiple sunscreen products available in the U.S. Since benzene is not intended to be an ingredient in sunscreen products, its presence likely represents unintentional contamination. The highest concentration of benzene found in sunscreen products in the Valisure study was 6.26 parts per million (ppm). This is much lower than the benzene concentrations associated with acute health effects, but chronic exposure to this concentration could potentially be dangerous.

Have sunscreen been recalled because of benzene?

After the Valisure report was published, Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled five types of Neutrogena® and Aveeno® aerosol sunscreens due to benzene contamination. Even though these sunscreen products have been recalled, it is still important to use sun protection on a regular basis.

Why should I use sunscreen?

Ultraviolet radiation from sunlight is a human carcinogen, and the routine use of sunscreens has been proven to protect against certain types of skin cancer. As it is currently unknown whether intermittent exposures to benzene-containing sunscreens are associated with harmful health effects, you should avoid sunscreens that are known to contain benzene. The potential health risks of benzene-contaminated sunscreen must be balanced against the known risks of sun exposure, and because of this, the complete avoidance of sunscreen products is not recommended.

If you have questions about potential poisoning from sunscreen, get guidance from Poison Control immediately. Help from Poison Control is available at www.poison.org and by phone at 1-800-222-1222. Both options are free, confidential, and available 24 hours a day.

Kelly Johnson-Arbor, MD
Medical Toxicology Physician