High levels of cancer-causing chemical benzene were detected in certain acne products that contain benzoyl peroxide, according to an independent lab report from Valisure.
Benzoyl Peroxide is a drug used in the treatment of mild to moderate acne and regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The product works by reducing the amount of acne-causing bacteria and by causing the skin to dry and peel.
In a lab test evaluating 175 acne products with 99 of them containing benzoyl peroxide, researchers looked for benzene formation in them when they are stored or handled at high temperatures.
The findings indicate that benzene, a recognized human carcinogen, can be produced at levels exceeding FDA restrictions, with certain products showing concentrations over 800 times the regulated limit. These results were seen both in numerous prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products, with native benzene detected in 94 of the tested items.
However, similar tests conducted on acne products containing salicylic acid or adapalene did not appear to have this issue.
“Results from Valisure’s tests show that on-market BPO (Benzyl peroxide) products can form over 800 times the conditionally restricted FDA concentration limit of 2 parts per million (ppm) for benzene, and the current evidence suggests that this problem applies broadly to BPO products currently on the market. High levels of benzene were not only detected inside BPO products, but also in the air around incubated BPO products, showing that benzene can leak out of some product packages and pose a potential inhalation risk,” a news release stated.
Benzene was detected in products including Estee Lauder’s Clinique, Target’s Up & Up, Reckitt Benckiser-owned Clearasil, Proactiv, PanOxyl, Walgreens’ acne soap bar, and Walmart’s Equate Beauty acne cream, among many others.
In response, Reckitt Benckiser said in a statement that it is confident about Clearasil’s safety, “when used and stored as directed on their…
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