ALERT: Stop Using These Sunscreens Due to Potential Cancer-Causing Chemical

Johnson & Johnson announced Wednesday that the company is recalling five of the very popular Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreen lines in the United States after it said it discovered low levels of benzene in the products.

The company is warning customers against using aerosol sprays of:
– Neutrogena Beach Defense
– Neutrogena Cool Dry Sport
– Neutrogena Invisible Daily
– Neutrogena Ultra Sheer
– Aveeno Protect + Refresh

Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) said those who have purchased the products should dispose of them, adding that benzene is a carcinogen that “could potentially cause cancer depending on the level and extent of exposure.” The recall covers all can sizes and SPF levels, which were distributed nationwide.

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The recall came after an online pharmacy said it found high levels of benzene in 24 sunscreens and other suncare products. The pharmacy, Valisure LLC, petitioned the FDA to remove the products, including some of those recalled by J&J. The online pharmacy’s testing had previously led to recalls of popular heartburn drug Zantac and diabetes drug Metformin.

J&J said it doesn’t use benzene in the manufacturing of the spray sunscreens and is investigating how the chemical might have gotten into certain samples.

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Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, can cause leukemia or other cancers.

“Daily exposure to benzene in these aerosol sunscreen products at the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences,” Johnson & Johnson said in its statement Wednesday. “Out of an abundance of caution, we are recalling all lots of these specific aerosol sunscreen products.”

The company said benzene is not an ingredient in its products, and it is investigating what caused its presence. It said the level of benzene present in their tests “would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences” in daily exposure — and it is recalling the products “out of an abundance of caution.”

“We are working to remove these products from the market and will provide consumers with a refund,” the company said.