Common ingredient in U.S. sunscreens can turn clothing orange, experts say

Is the sunscreen you're using leaving orange stains around the collars of white T-shirts and on other light-colored garments this summer? An ingredient found in many popular U.S. sunscreens could be to blame.

Avobenzone, a chemical ingredient widely used in sunscreens to protect wearers from cancer-causing ultraviolet A rays (UVA), is the likely culprit behind rusty-looking marks some consumers have been complaining about on social media forums. 

Found in sunscreen formulations sold at Target, CVS, REI and on Amazon.com, avobenzone can oxidize when mixed with iron-rich water, potentially causing discoloration to light-colored clothing and materials, stain experts, laundry companies and even some sunscreen makers themselves have confirmed.