Benzene, a known carcinogen, found in popular acne treatments products like Clinique, Clearasil: Report

Cancer-causing chemical found in Clinique, Clearasil acne treatments, US lab reports

Valisure, an independent laboratory, has requested the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to recall common benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products, which may contain high levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, Reuters reported. Benzene can form in prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products that are stored or handled at specific temperatures, according to the laboratory's report.

According to the report, the laboratory tested 66 acne treatment products that contain benzoyl peroxide, such as bars, liquids, creams, lotions, washes, and gels, and found that several popular brands such as Clearasil, Proactiv, Target's Up & Up brand, and Clinique can produce benzene "at hundreds of times the conditional FDA limit." In addition, the lab discovered that the problem of benzene formation is common in most benzoyl peroxide products currently available on the market.

Valisure has filed a petition with the FDA to recall these products, conduct an investigation, and revise industry guidance. The laboratory also claimed that benzene could form at "unacceptably high levels" in both prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products. In some cases, the benzene air results were 1,270 times higher than the EPA threshold, according to Valisure's calculations.

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

Estee Lauder, maker of Clinique, has stated that benzoyl peroxide is used 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 found in several consumer products such as hand sanitizers, sunscreens, and dry shampoo, leading to recalls of products made by companies such as Johnson & Johnson and Procter & Gamble. However, Valisure claims that the detection of benzene in acne treatment products was significantly different from other cases.

Valisure has previously raised concerns about potentially cancer-causing chemicals in products. For instance, in 2019, the company detected levels of NDMA, a probable carcinogen, in ranitidine, the active ingredient in the widely-used heartburn pill Zantac. As a result, the FDA requested that manufacturers remove all ranitidine-containing products from the market in April 2020. Similarly, in 2021, Valisure found benzene contamination in certain brands of hand sanitizer, leading the FDA to issue guidance to consumers about avoiding specific products.