Solve Your Summer Sunscreen Dilemmas (Premium)
Every summer, we wonder which sunscreens will be effective and safe without breaking the bank. Unfortunately, sunscreens lack adequate safety testing for many of their ingredients, making it difficult for consumers to know what choices to make. We also need options for different use–for everyday use or during active times, and protecting infants.
No doubt, soaking up natural rays is healthful, but we know danger lurks if we aren’t sun-smart. Be sure to dress appropriately to shield yourself from the sun and when possible, avoid the sun at peak times.
Recently, 78 of these products were found to contain benzene, a human carcinogen. These were reported by Valisure, an independent laboratory. As a follow-up, Johnson & Johnson voluntarily tested their sunscreens and recalled five that had benzene. The company recommends people stop using them:
- Neutrogena® Beach Defense® aerosol sunscreen,
- Neutrogena* Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen,
- Neutrogena® Invisible Daily™ defense aerosol sunscreen,
- Neutrogena® Ultra Sheer® aerosol sunscreen, and
- Aveeno® Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen.
At this point, the jury is out on how benzene got into these and other sunscreen products, as it is not an intended ingredient. The current assumption is that raw materials were contaminated. Read more.
