Coppertone has issued a recall for five of its aerosol sunscreen products after finding benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, in some batches. The company says that daily exposure levels believed to be detected in the products likely would not cause "adverse health consequences" given modeling by regulatory agencies.

Coppertone® Issues Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Specific Lots of Pure & Simple SPF 50 Spray (2021 Launch), Sport Mineral SPF 50 Spray (2021 Launch), and Travel-Size Coppertone® Sport Spray SPF 50 (1.6OZ) Aerosols Sunscreen Sprays Due to the Presence of Benzene.

The Coppertone formula is an SPF 50, broad-spectrum lotion with only one active ingredient: zinc oxide. The Coppertone excelled in tests where mineral options normally fell short, namely in ease of application and sunscreen visibility. The lotion itself is thin enough that it applies smoothly to the skin.

This fragrance-free sunscreen offers a non-comedogenic formula that won't clog pores or cause breakouts - and it contains no oxybenzone, octinoxate, PABA, parabens, or dyes.

Given the risks posed by both the active and inactive ingredients, chemical sunscreens like Coppertone do not belong on our skin, in our bloodstream or in the environment. This is especially true if one has sensitive skin, eczema or is applying sunscreen to the little ones.

The suit alleges the Coppertone brand misled consumers, "by labeling, touting and marketing its products as being healthy, safe, pure and simple while knowing (and not disclosing) that the products contain benzene (or the risk of containing benzene)," the source stated.

Best Sunscreen

• Best Overall: EltaMD UV Sport Body Sunscreen.
• Best Value: Hawaiian Tropic AntiOxidant+ Sunscreen Lotion.
• Best Face Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Light Fluid Face Sunscreen.
• Best Mineral Sunscreen: Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral Sunscreen with Zinc Oxide.

UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is a go-to recommendation from Tiffany J. Libby, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and the director of Mohs micrographic and dermatologic surgery at Brown Dermatology in East Providence, R.I.

“Based on the best current science and toxicology data, we continue to recommend sunscreens with the mineral active ingredients zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, because they are the only two ingredients the FDA recognized as safe or effective in their proposed draft rules,” Burns says.

8 Clean Sunscreens

• Unsun Hydrating Full Coverage Body Lotion SPF 30.
• Grown Alchemist Natural Hydrating Sunscreen SPF 30.
• Unsun Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen.
• Saie Sunvisor.
• The Organic Pharmacy Cellular Protection Sun Cream SPF 50.
• MARA Algae + Zinc Sea Kale Sunscreen Serum.
• Supergoop Zincscreen 100% Mineral Lotion SPF 40.

Most Toxic Sunscreens to Avoid

• Neutrogena Beach Defense Water + Sun Protection Sunscreen Spray, SPF 70.
• Hawaiian Tropic Weightless Hydration Sunscreen Clear Spray, SPF 70.
• COOLA Classic Body Sunscreen Spray, Peach Blossom, SPF 70.
• Bare Republic Clearscreen Sunscreen Spray, SPF 100.

The Coppertone felt gentle on the skin, with no issues or irritation, which makes it a go-to option for anyone with sensitive skin, including children. If you want to avoid chemical sunscreens altogether, there are plenty of mineral options out there.