Does Sunscreen Hurt More Than it Helps?

It’s widely accepted that we need to protect our skin from the sun. Solar radiation is a known human carcinogen, and just one bad sunburn in childhood increases your chance of developing melanoma later in life by more than double. There are many simple ways to protect yourself from the sun, including wearing protective clothing, wearing hats, and staying in the shade. 

While effective, one of the most popular sun protection methods might prove harmful in its own right: wearing sunscreen. Recently, certain brands of sunscreen have been recalled due to the presence of benzene, another carcinogen. If you’re trying to protect yourself and your family, this can put you in a bind. 

How Can The Sun Be Harmful?

UVB rays have more energy than UVA rays, and therefore they can directly damage DNA in skin cells. They’re also the main cause of sunburn and are likely the cause of most skin cancers. Two of the most common skin cancers caused by UV rays are basal cell and squamous cell. Another type, melanoma, is less common but typically more serious. 

In addition to cancer and cell damage, exposure to the sun can also cause eye problems and a weakened immune system. Most people understand that there are risks associated with the sun, and they do what they can to avoid excessive sun exposure. That’s why you’ll see people wearing wide-brimmed hats or parents lathering their kids up with sunscreen before a day at the beach. 

With the recent news of sunscreen containing cancer-causing chemicals as well, it puts people in a major bind. It’s almost as if you have to decide which is the lesser of two evils: the sun or sunscreen. 

How Can Sunscreen Be Harmful?

If you’re like many people, you’ve lathered up with sunscreen most of your life without giving it a second thought. In 2021, however, Johnson & Johnson voluntarily recalled some sunscreen that contained benzene. During testing, it was found that five of its sunscreen products under the brand names Aveeno and Neutorgina contained this chemical that is known to cause cancer. Benzene was not listed on the ingredient list of these sunscreens, so this news was a shock for many people. 

Benzene is a sweet-smelling chemical that is either colorless or light yellow. It evaporates quickly, and it floats on water. The chemical is produced in nature from natural causes such as volcanic eruptions and forest fires. It’s also used to manufacture things like plastic, rubber, and drugs. Though the chemical is natural, it’s not safe. Benzene causes cells to not function correctly, and it can also lead to the loss of red and white blood cells. 

Some of the more serious effects of benzene exposure include vomiting, confusion, tremors, bone marrow problems, reproductive problems, leukemia, and even death. As the common saying goes, “the dose makes the poison,” and both the amount of exposure and length of exposure to benzene affect possible side effects.  

Inhaling beneze from a spray sunscreen will likely be more harmful than exposure via a suntan lotion that you spread on your skin. Unfortunately, all five of the sunscreens that were found to contain benzene were aerosol sunscreens. 

So, Does Sunscreen Hurt More Than It Helps?

Unfortunately, the real answer is a bit hazy. If we can be confident that all of the ingredients in sunscreen are safe, then we can be confident that sunscreen does not harm us more than the sun does. However, putting one carcinogen on your body to protect yourself from another carcinogen doesn’t exactly sound helpful. 

The bottom line is that you need to protect yourself from the sun, and you also need to make sure (to the best of your ability) that the products that you’re putting on your body are safe. One way to do this is to choose sunscreen products that are third-party tested. 

Additionally, take whatever measures you can to protect yourself from the sun without using sunscreen. Take advantage of hats, UPF sun protective clothing, and shade whenever possible. Don’t forget about your eyes and feet, too. Use sunglasses and cover your feet with shoes or socks when out in the sun. It’s also best to avoid sun exposure between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

If you’re someone who has used a lot of sunscreen in the past, particularly Johnson & Johnson’s Aveeno or Neutrogena aerosol sunscreens, you may be rightfully worried about benzene exposure. You can read more about affected sunscreens and symptoms of benzene exposure on our sunscreen lawsuit page to help you determine if you may have been affected. Additionally, we can connect you with a sunscreen lawyer who can help you fight for justice and compensation.