Morgan Petronelli

Valisure, a pharmacy dedicated to batch testing medications before they reach consumers, found in a recent test that 78 different sunscreen and after-sun care products contained benzene, a potential carcinogen.

According to the U. S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and various other regulatory agencies, benzene is known to cause cancer in humans. The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) also defines benzene as a carcinogen and exposure can include “inhalation, skin absorption, ingestion, and skin and/or eye contact.”

In the laboratory test conducted by Valisure, 294 unique batches of sun care products from 69 different companies were examined.

Results of the test found 27% of samples tested contained detectable benzene, while some batches contained up to 3 times the FDA concentration limit of 2 parts per million (ppm). With the benzene-detected product batches ranging from gels, sprays, and lotions in both mineral and chemical formulations.

“There is not a safe level of benzene that can exist in sunscreen products,” said Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at Yale University and member of 

’ editorial advisory board. “Even benzene at 0.1 ppm in a sunscreen could expose people to excessively high nanogram amounts of benzene.”

Benzene has been associated with blood cancers such as leukemia. What makes these findings "particularly concerning", according to Valisure, is that these products are absorbed through the skin and multiple studies conducted by FDA researches have shown chemicals in sunscreen products are found in the blood at high levels following skin application.

TikTok from Dustin Portela, DO (@208skindoc) discussing these findings.

This is not the first time Valisure has identified harmful contaminants in consumer products. In March , it released a 

 asking the FDA to recall various brands of hand sanitizer after detecting benzene contamination in multiple batches.

Scentsational Soaps & Candles issued a voluntary recall

 of its scented hand sanitizers, due to the presence of benzene, methanol, and acetaldehyde.

Valisure is now requesting the FDA recall the identified sunscreens and after-sun care products and are asking for more defined limits for benzene contamination in cosmetic and drug products. Valisure also notes that not all sunscreen products contain benzene and urges the continued use of uncontaminated products available to help protect against ultraviolet radiation (UV).

“Benzene is one of the most studied and concerning human carcinogens known to science,” said David Light, founder and CEO of Valisure. “Its association with forming blood cancers in humans has been shown in numerous studies at trace levels of parts per million and below. The presence of this known human carcinogen in products widely recommended for the prevention of skin cancer and that are regularly used by adults and children is very troubling.”

Watch our interview with Valisure Founder and CEO David Light, here.

 for a comment, a spokeperson said "the FDA does not comment on third-party research, but evaluates it as part of the body of evidence to further our understanding about a particular issue and assist in our mission to protect public health."

While additional testing is needed, Bunick added that sunscreen should still be utilized, as well as other forms of sun protection to protect against UV radiation.

Click the documents below to find out which products contain and do not contain benzene, as well as tips for responsible disposal of potentially contaminated products.

List of products where benzene was detected.

List of products where benzene was not detected.

Responsible Disposal of Potentially Contaminated Products.

Check back for the latest updates on this story on 

Valisure detects benzene in sunscreen. Valisure. Published May 20, 2021. Accessed May 25, 2021. 

https://www.valisure.com/blog/valisure-news/valisure-detects-benzene-in-sunscreen/

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A recent test found various brands and batches of sunscreen and after-sun care products contained benzene, a potential carcinogen.


Potential Carcinogens Detected in Several Sunscreen Products 

While the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) vaccine is currently being rolled out, some vaccine recipients are experiencing adverse effects (AEs), one of which includes a delayed large local reaction.

This particular reaction is characterized by pain and swelling in the upper arm located at the injection site appearing 7 to 8 days following injection. While this side effect is being commonly referred to as “COVID arm,” experts are warning against this term since the reaction is not caused by COVID-19, but rather by the vaccine.

Esther Freeman, MD, director of global health dermatology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, spoke with 

 about her recently published case series in the 

regarding these delayed reactions. She suggested calling this delayed reaction “vaccine arm.” She also added that while a majority of reports of this side effect has been seen in Moderna (mRNA-1273) patients, this reaction has also been seen in a few individuals who have received the Pfizer mRNA vaccine.

Immunization Delivery and Patient Care in Community Pharmacies

“People were expecting to see local site injection reactions after the vaccines. What's been surprising is that with Moderna, people are seeing skin reactions on the vaccinated arm appear not within hours or a day of injection, but instead 8 days later. What surprised everyone was this delay in onset.”

Freeman said these reactions are not worrisome and typically go away on their own. Other recommended treatment for the reaction includes topical steroids and oral antihistamines.

In the case series, researchers observed 12 patients who received one dose of the mRNA-1273 vaccine and presented “vaccine arm” with a median onset at day 8 (range, 4 to 11 days).

Increasing reports have surfaced of vaccine recipients experiencing delayed cutaneous side effects after receiving the first dose.