Coppertone
Coppertone was developed in 1944 by pharmacist Benjamin Green for the U.S. military to protect soldiers from sun exposure during World War II. The brand went through multiple ownership changes before being acquired by Beiersdorf in 2019 from Bayer. Coppertone is one of the most recognized sunscreen brands in the United States and was historically known for its iconic 'Coppertone Girl' advertising. Many Coppertone sunscreens rely heavily on chemical UV filters including avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, and historically oxybenzone. As consumer awareness of chemical sunscreen absorption has grown, Coppertone has introduced some mineral-based alternatives, but chemical filters remain dominant across most of their product line.
Products Analyzed
Flagged Ingredients Found
Who Owns Coppertone?
Big Corp SubsidiaryParent Company
Beiersdorf AG(BEI.DE)
Parent Industry
Personal Care & Adhesives
Parent Revenue
Approximately $9.5 billion (2024)
Acquired
2019 for Approximately $550 million
Also Makes
Beiersdorf acquired Coppertone from Bayer in 2019 for approximately $550 million. Before Bayer, Coppertone was owned by Merck KGaA, and before that by Schering-Plough.
Corporate ownership does not automatically mean a product is unsafe. It means ingredient and sourcing decisions are influenced by a parent company whose primary business is personal care & adhesives. Consumers deserve to know who profits from their purchases.
Products by Coppertone
Coppertone Sport SPF 50
Coppertone
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Organic Lip Balm
Coppertone Ultra Guard SPF 70
Coppertone
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Organic Lip Balm
Coppertone Pure & Simple SPF 50
Coppertone
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Organic Lip Balm
Coppertone Glow SPF 50
Coppertone
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Organic Lip Balm
Coppertone Kids SPF 70
Coppertone
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Organic Lip Balm
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Flagged Ingredients in Coppertone Products
We found 7 different ingredients of concern across Coppertone's product line. Each one links to a full safety analysis with details on health risks, regulatory status, and which other brands use the same ingredient.
Oxybenzone
A chemical UV filter found in many sunscreens and SPF-containing cosmetics. It absorbs UVA and UVB radiation but is a known endocrine disruptor, coral reef toxin, and one of the most frequently detected chemicals in human blood and urine.
Synthetic Fragrance
An umbrella term that can hide hundreds of undisclosed chemicals. Under US law, companies are not required to list individual fragrance components, which may include phthalates, musks, allergens, and sensitizers.
Homosalate
A chemical UV filter that absorbs UVB radiation. Used in sunscreens and SPF cosmetics, homosalate is an endocrine disruptor that breaks down into more toxic byproducts under UV exposure.
Avobenzone
One of the few chemical UV filters that provides good UVA protection. However, it is photounstable, breaking down rapidly under UV light and losing effectiveness within 30 minutes unless stabilized by other chemicals.
BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene)
A synthetic antioxidant closely related to BHA, used to prevent oxidation in cosmetics and food. Less studied than BHA but shares some endocrine disruption concerns.
Dimethicone
A silicone-based polymer widely used in cosmetics and skincare for its smoothing, water-repellent properties. Not toxic in itself, but creates a synthetic barrier that can trap impurities, clog pores, and is not biodegradable.
Phenoxyethanol
A glycol ether used as a preservative in cosmetics, often marketed as a 'safer' alternative to parabens. At regulated concentrations (up to 1%), it is generally well tolerated, but higher concentrations can cause irritation and are toxic to infants.
