FDA Announces Recall of Acne Products Due to Cancer-Causing Ingredient
The agency reported that it evaluated six products and detected high levels of benzene, a substance commonly utilized in industrial applications.
This week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that voluntary recalls have been initiated for acne treatment products after testing revealed the presence of benzene, a known carcinogen.
The FDA identified six specific products with elevated benzene levels, which include: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment (lot number MYX46W, expiration April 2025); Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser (lot number 23 09328, expiration September 2025); Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief Cream Benzoyl Peroxide 5% (lot numbers V3305A and V3304A, expiration October 2025); Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (lot number V4204A, expiration July 2025); SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion (lot number 2430600, expiration March 2025); and Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream (lot number 49707430, expiration March 2026).
In addition, the manufacturer of another benzoyl peroxide product, Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel, has confirmed a voluntary recall “due to the elevated level of benzene identified in its own testing.”
The federal health agency stated that the recall affects retailers and does not pose a risk to consumers. This means that stores carrying these products are required to remove them from their shelves, whether online or in physical locations.
Consumers who possess products nearing expiration should discard them if they have expired, as per the FDA statement. The FDA also emphasized that the likelihood of developing cancer from exposure to benzene in these products is very low, even for individuals who may have used them “for decades.”
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“The FDA has persistently expressed concerns regarding the use of unvalidated testing methodologies by third-party laboratories, which can yield misleading results and contribute to consumer confusion,” the statement noted. “In particular, these methodologies may report significantly higher contaminant levels, such as benzene, than what is actually present in the tested products. It is vital for third-party laboratories to employ validated methods when reporting their findings to ensure accuracy.”
“Studies have shown that rates of leukemia, especially acute myeloid leukemia, are higher among workers exposed to elevated benzene levels, such as those in the chemical, shoemaking, and oil refining sectors,” the organization states on its website. It further adds that childhood leukemia and various blood-related cancers have also been associated with benzene exposure.
In addition to cancer risks, high benzene exposure can adversely affect the human nervous system, potentially leading to headaches, dizziness, confusion, tremors, and even loss of consciousness, as outlined by the cancer organization.
