Study finds cancer causing chemical in numerous sunscreen and after-sun care products

The sun’s UV rays are at their strongest this time of the year according to medical experts, and one of the most important ways to protect yourself while outdoors is using sunscreen.

Multiple sources share why protecting your skin is deeper than you think.

“The Sun will contour your face where you’ll put bronzer and you’ll be naturally snatched all summer," said TikToker Eli Withrow.

This TikToker used a base sunscreen with the recommended 30 SPF, but in the areas one would normally highlight your face, she used a much higher SPF.

Now a recent study by a pharmacy called Valisure, discovered why you should be paying closer attention to the chemicals that are in your sunscreen.

“Benzene they just found is one of the newer cancer causing agents. We find these things as time goes on. If you can avoid those products, you should," said CHI Health Nurse Practitioner in Radiation Oncology Monica McDonald.

The test results were broken down in an article by the Dermatology Times saying the pharmacy examined 294 batches of sun care products from 69 different companies.

In the study, they found 78 different sunscreen and after-sun care products contained benzene.

Those products ranged from gels, sprays, and lotions in both mineral and chemical formulas.

“Benzene is known to cause cancer and there is no safe level of benzene for human consumption," said Dr. Dustin Portela.

27% of samples tested contained detectable benzene, while some batches contained up to three times the FDA concentration limit of two parts per million, that's according to test results published in the Dermatology Times by Associate Editor Morgan Petronelli.

"This appears to be a contaminate in the manufacturing process and not a break down product from the sunscreen," said Dr. Portela, "also note that this is not from the chemicals that we use as UV filters in the sunscreens."

Petronelli also stated in the article that Benzene has been associated with blood cancers like leukemia.

She said, “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."

Experts suggest discontinuing the use of sunscreens that may have this ingredient and to avoid purchasing any that do.

Mary Lanning Medical Director of Oncolgy Dr. Mehmet Sitki Copur said if you are still trying to get tan, doing so without getting a sunburn is the safest way.

“When people are outdoors and they get sunburned, the skin becomes red, that’s a reaction of the body. The vascular system develops a inflammatory reaction and during that time, the DNA of the skin cells are damaged," said Mary Lanning Medical Director of Oncolgy Dr. Mehmet Sitki Copur.

Many also turn to using self-tanners to try and get some color, but those also have a variety of chemicals.

“We don’t really recommend spray tanning or anything like that either at this time because those also have different chemicals and substances in them as well," stated McDonald.

Overall, experts want you to consider what chemicals you may be applying on your skin, taking additional precautions along with sunscreen, and limiting the amount of time you spend outdoors at one time.

According to the article, the pharmacy Valisure is now requesting the FDA to recall the sunscreen and after-sun care products that contain benzene, along with more defined limits for benzene contamination in cosmetic and drug products.