Top brand sunscreens risk causing CANCER if left on the shelf for too long because they start to release toxic chemicals, scientists warn

• Researchers selected a range of sunscreens purchased from a retail outlet
• They artificially aged them over six weeks to reflect a year in a normal house
• The team found that those with octocrylene developed a dangerous chemical
• This was in the form of the carcinogen benzophenone that builds up over time
• It was found in products from Garniere, Bioderma, LeRoche-Posay, L'Oreal, Coppertone, Banana Leaf and Neutrogena including some made for children

A number of top brand sunscreen products risk causing cancer if they're left on a shelf for too long, a new study finds, revealing they release toxic chemicals over time. 

Scientists from France and the US studied a number of randomly selected brand name sunscreen products containing the organic 'sun filter' chemical 'octocrylene'.

Products from Garnier, Bioderma, LaRoche-Posay, L'Oreal, Coppertone, Banana Leaf and Neutrogena were purchased from shops in the US and France - including some aimed at babies and children.

Octocrylene is a common ingredient of sunscreens as it absorbs UVB radiation, which is responsible for sunburn and skin cancer, but is controversial as it is a potential allergen and isn't biodegradable. It is already banned in a number of places. 

The team from Sorbonne University found that octocrylene degrades into the carcinogenic chemical benzophenone when left on the shelf for more than a year.   

Study authors say the manufacture of products containing the chemical octocrylene should be banned until the industry can prove 'beyond doubt' that it is safe. 

Dr Emma Meredith, Director General of the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Perfumery Association (CTPA) said: 'Octocrylene has been used in sunscreens for many years and no health risk from tiny quantities of benzophenone impurities has been shown.'