Are COOLA sunscreens benzene free?

If you’ve been keeping up with beauty news, you might have heard that an independent lab recently found benzene—a known carcinogen—in several popular sunscreens.

We’re pleased to share that our COOLA products do NOT contain benzene. However, we understand that this news, along with the recent recall of Neutrogena and Aveeno by J&J due to benzene contamination, can be concerning and may disrupt even the most diligent skincare routines. So, before you reconsider your suncare habits, we’d like to provide our perspective on benzene in sunscreens, overall sunscreen safety, and COOLA’s approach to ingredients. 

Benzene in sunscreen—What’s the deal? 

This issue emerged from a study by Valisure, an independent lab and pharmacy, which found benzene in nearly a third of the sunscreens tested. Many of these are well-known products that you might already have in your makeup bag (you can find the full list of benzene-positive sunscreens from Valisure here.) 

It’s important to note that benzene is not an intentional ingredient in any sunscreens; rather, it’s a byproduct of the manufacturing process that can be present in trace amounts due to raw materials derived from petrochemicals and petroleum, as well as some synthetic fragrances.

Are COOLA sunscreens benzene-free?  

Absolutely! The COOLA sunscreens tested by Valisure were confirmed to be benzene-free.

Inspired by the healthy Southern California lifestyle, we set out to create effective, organic sunscreens that feel great to use every day. We believe that clean beauty should be both enjoyable and healthy.

That’s why we are diligent about what we include in our products and what we leave out. We adhere to a strict restricted ingredient list that exceeds industry standards, excluding over 1,400 questionable or harmful ingredients from our formulations. Our products contain 70% or more organic ingredients, and we prohibit synthetic fragrances and petroleum-derived ingredients, opting instead for natural flavors and EU-allergen-free natural fragrances.

What does the benzene in the sunscreen study mean for my sunscreen routine? 

Having been in the beauty industry long enough, we’ve seen various ingredient scares come and go. While dermatologists have differing opinions on the risks posed by trace amounts of benzene—since we encounter small amounts in our daily environments—we definitely prefer skincare products free from known carcinogens.

That said, completely eliminating suncare from your routine carries even greater health risks, including concerns about cancer and aging. Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy, benzene-free sunscreen options—like COOLA—that will keep your skin radiant all summer long.

For more on our strict ingredient standards, take a look at our standards page. And don’t forget to stock up for glowing, safely protected skin this summer with products like our COOLA Peach Blossom Spray!