Benzene And Benzophenone In Sunscreen Prodcuts

In the US, benzene is banned as an ingredient in any food, drug or cosmetic/personal care product. In spite of this, it may still be found at low levels in such products either as a contaminant in one or more of the ingredients (or aerosol product ‘propellants’), a contaminant introduced during the manufacturing process, or it may form as a result of a degradative process within the product formulation. In contrast, benzophenone may be used as an ingredient in drug and cosmetic/personal care products although most consumers are not likely to purchase such products. When not used as an ingredient, benzophenone may still be found at low levels in drug and cosmetic/personal care products either as a contaminant (or additive) in one or more of the ingredients, as a contaminant which has leached into the product from plastic packaging or label inks/coatings, or it may form as a result of a degradative process within the product formulation.