CVS to remove 2 chemicals from 60 store-brand sunscreens
CVS Health is stepping up its efforts to deliver store-brand products free of ingredients consumers are concerned about. The company announced Thursday that it would be removing octinoxate and oxybenzone from its store-brand sunscreens below SPF 50 by the end of 2020.
The company said that the removal of octinoxate and oxybenzone from these products comes ahead of scheduled regulatory requirements in Hawaii and Florida focused on eliminating the ingredients in an effort to minimize the impact on marine ecosystems. CVS Health noted that currently, some form of octinoxate and oxybenzone are necessary in its private-label sun products over SPF 50 to be effective. Those products will be available outside of Hawaii and Florida, but removed from shelves in those markets to comply with regulations.
“As a leading health & beauty destination CVS Pharmacy is highly attuned to our customers evolving needs and their desire for products that are more sustainable while still being efficacious,” said George Coleman, CVS Health senior vice president of merchandising. “We are committed to continuing to monitor the ingredients in the products we carry and to ensure our consumers have access to a wide range of free-from products that deliver quality and value while also meeting their lifestyle preferences.”
The efforts to remove these chemicals from sunscreen under SPF 50 by 2020 coincide with the company’s work to remove parabens, phthalates and other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives from its store-brand beauty and personal care products, which CVS Health said is on track to be complete by the end of the year.
The company said that the removal of octinoxate and oxybenzone from these products comes ahead of scheduled regulatory requirements in Hawaii and Florida focused on eliminating the ingredients in an effort to minimize the impact on marine ecosystems. CVS Health noted that currently, some form of octinoxate and oxybenzone are necessary in its private-label sun products over SPF 50 to be effective. Those products will be available outside of Hawaii and Florida, but removed from shelves in those markets to comply with regulations.
“As a leading health & beauty destination CVS Pharmacy is highly attuned to our customers evolving needs and their desire for products that are more sustainable while still being efficacious,” said George Coleman, CVS Health senior vice president of merchandising. “We are committed to continuing to monitor the ingredients in the products we carry and to ensure our consumers have access to a wide range of free-from products that deliver quality and value while also meeting their lifestyle preferences.”
The efforts to remove these chemicals from sunscreen under SPF 50 by 2020 coincide with the company’s work to remove parabens, phthalates and other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives from its store-brand beauty and personal care products, which CVS Health said is on track to be complete by the end of the year.