(RxWiki News) Johnson & Johnson is recalling several of its sunscreen products due to the presence of a potentially cancer-causing substance.
The company voluntarily recalled several Neutrogena and Aveeno aerosol sunscreen products. The recall came after internal testing detected low levels of benzene in these sunscreens.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the recall in a press release and said consumers should stop using the affected products. The only products included in this recall include the following:
- NEUTROGENA® Beach Defense® aerosol sunscreen
- NEUTROGENA® Cool Dry Sport aerosol sunscreen
- NEUTROGENA® Invisible Daily™ defense aerosol sunscreen
- NEUTROGENA® Ultra Sheer® aerosol sunscreen
- AVEENO® Protect + Refresh aerosol sunscreen
Benzene is a carcinogen, which means it has the potential to cause cancer. Because this substance is present in the environment, people are exposed to it often. The amount of benzene in the recalled sunscreens is not likely to cause any negative health outcomes, the FDA said.
The sunscreen labels did not list benzene as an ingredient. The FDA said it was investigating how the substance ended up in these products.
While consumers should not use the recalled products, the FDA noted that sunscreen is still an important way to reduce sun damage. Too much sun exposure can cause skin cancer, including a deadly form of skin cancer called melanoma.
The recalled aerosol sunscreen products were distributed across the United States. If you have any of the affected products, Johnson & Johnson recommends not using them and throwing them away. You can call Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. to request a refund or ask questions at 1-800-458-1673.
If you have questions or concerns about sunscreen use, skin cancer or a related issue, reach out to your health care provider.
