Johnson & Johnson Recalls Select Sunscreens Due to presence of Benzene

Check your sunscreen before hitting the pool today. Johnson & Johnson is voluntarily recalling five of its sunscreen products.

The company found low levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, in some of its samples of Neutrogena and Aveeno spray sunscreens even though it's not an ingredient in its sunscreen products.

Aerosol Sunscreen Recall

NEUTROGENA Beach Defense Sunscreen Spray 

NEUTROGENA Cool Dry Sport Sunscreen Spray

NEUTROGENA Invisible Daily Defense 

NEUTROGENA Ultra Sheer Body Mist

AVEENO Protect + Refresh

 

Benzene is a chemical that can cause cancer when used again and again or depending on the level and extent of exposure. Symptoms includes things like dizziness, irregular heartbeats, and at very high levels even death.

J&J said it is investigating the cause of the contamination. 

Benzene is a commonly used chemical in a lot of products we use everyday like detergent and paint but the CDC said that at high enough levels it can damage the immune system or even casuse cancer. 

The recalled products are sold in the US nationwide at both small and large retailers such as Target, Walgreens, and CVS at a time when sunscreen is in high demand. 

J&J is telling people to throw them away and switch to something else. For a refund, consumers should call Johnson & Johnson's consumer service hotline.