Neutrogena Sunscreen Contaminated With Chemical Linked to Leukemia, Class Action Alleges

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Neutrogena is the latest sunscreen manufacturer to be hit with a nationwide class action lawsuit over claims its products contain benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer and, in particular, leukemia. 

Plaintiff Shelli French filed the class action lawsuit against Neutrogena Corporation Monday in a California federal court, alleging the company breached state and federal law by selling sunscreens containing benzene, Law360 reports.

The complaint is one of a flood of class actions coming after independent testing done on a range of sunscreens by online pharmacy Valisure. 

According to Monday’s class action lawsuit, Valisure tested Neutrogena’s products and found benzene present in quantities above the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s concentration limit of two parts per million, with some products containing nearly seven parts per million. 

Benzene can be absorbed through the skin, and is known to cause cancer, based on evidence from studies in both people and lab animals, the American Cancer Society says. 

It’s typically used to make other chemicals, including plastics, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides, and is a natural part of crude oil and gasoline, as well as cigarette smoke, the society says.

French alleges that the presence of benzene in the Neutrogena sunscreens indicates that the product is contaminated and has a manufacturing defect, Law360 reports. 

As a result, the products are being sold illegally. She also alleges Neutrogena has lied to customers by hiding the fact its products contain benzene, and not putting it on its labels.

French is suing for breach of warranty, violations of the Florida Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act, fraudulent concealment and unjust enrichment. 

She’s looking to represent a Class of any United States citizen who bought a Neutrogena sunscreen product, plus a Florida Subclass.

French is seeking damages and an order preventing Neutrogena from selling sunscreens that contain benzene. 

This is not the first class action lawsuit Neutrogena has faced over benzene claims. 

Earlier this month, another class action lawsuit was filed in Florida alleging Neutrogena and parent company Johnson & Johnson knowingly produce and sell sunscreens that contain benzene. That class action includes all states except for California, and alleges that Neutrogena and Johnson & Johnson violate state and federal laws by not disclosing benzene on sunscreen labels.

Another recent class action takes aim at Banana Boat sunscreens, saying they contain benzene, but the company doesn’t advise consumers and won’t take it off shelves. 

What do you think of the spike in claims against sunscreen manufacturers over the chemical benzene? Let us know in the comments or join a sunscreen class action lawsuit investigation here! 

The plaintiff is represented by L. Timothy Fisher of Bursor & Fisher PA. Counsel information for Neutrogena was not available Tuesday.

The Neutrogena Sunscreen Benzene Class Action Lawsuit is French et al., v. Neutrogena, Case No. 2:21-cv-05048, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:

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• Banana Boat Sunscreens Contain Carcinogenic Petrochemical, Class Action Lawsuit Claims
• Most Major Makeup Brands Test Positive For Toxic PFAS, Says Study
• Thinx Toxic Underwear a ‘Safety Hazard to the Female Body,’ Claims Class Action Lawsuit