Report Reveals Benzene Presence In Leading Acne Treatments: Brands Like Clinique And Clearasil Implicated

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been requested by Valisure, an independent laboratory, to recall common benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products, which may contain high levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, as reported by Reuters.

According to the laboratory's report, benzene can be formed in prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products that are stored or handled at specific temperatures.

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Benzene Found in Popular Acne Treatments

A total of 66 acne treatment products containing benzoyl peroxide, including bars, liquids, creams, lotions, washes, and gels, were tested by the laboratory. The report revealed that several popular brands such as Clearasil, Proactiv, Target's Up & Up brand, and Clinique were found to potentially produce benzene "at hundreds of times the conditional FDA limit."

Additionally, it was discovered that the issue of benzene formation is widespread among most benzoyl peroxide products currently available on the market. A petition has been filed by Valisure with the FDA to recall these products, initiate an investigation, and revise industry guidance, as reported by Reuters.

The laboratory also asserted that benzene could form at "unacceptably high levels" in both prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products. According to Valisure's calculations, in some instances, the benzene air results were 1,270 times higher than the EPA threshold.

A spokesperson from the FDA informed CBS News that the agency relies on information from various sources, including Valisure. However, any data obtained must be verified as accurate and reproducible before being utilized to make regulatory decisions such as recommending product suspensions and recalls. The FDA will provide updates on benzene in drug products as necessary.

Estee Lauder, the manufacturer of Clinique, has stated that benzoyl peroxide is utilized in one of their products, which the company believes is safe for use as intended. Target, Walmart, and the FDA have yet to comment on the matter.

Benzene, a carcinogen, has been detected in several consumer products such as hand sanitizers, sunscreens, and dry shampoo, leading to recalls of products by companies like Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble. However, Valisure claims that the detection of benzene in acne treatment products differs significantly from other cases, as per a Reuters report.

Valisure has previously raised concerns about potentially cancer-causing chemicals in products. For example, in 2019, levels of NDMA, a probable carcinogen, were detected in ranitidine, the active ingredient in the widely-used heartburn pill Zantac, by the company.

As a result, the FDA requested that manufacturers remove all ranitidine-containing products from the market in April 2020. Similarly, in 2021, benzene contamination was found in certain brands of hand sanitizer by Valisure, prompting the FDA to issue guidance to consumers about avoiding specific products.