A recent analysis has uncovered concerning levels of benzene, a chemical linked to cancer, in several widely used acne creams and cleansers, including popular brands such as Proactiv and Clearasil. This study, which builds upon previous research that faced scrutiny for its methodology, is intensifying pressure on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to address the safety of these products, particularly among American teenagers.
Researchers from Valisure, a laboratory based in New Haven, Connecticut, along with professors from Yale and Long Island universities, examined over 100 benzoyl peroxide (BPO) acne products sold at major retailers across six states. The results revealed that approximately one-third of these products contained dangerously high levels of benzene. Notably, Proactiv was found to contain 18 times the maximum allowable limit of the carcinogen in U.S. drugs, while a CVS-brand face wash had 13 times the FDA’s safety threshold.
“The results presented here suggest that a substantial portion of the BPO acne treatment market currently contains unacceptably high levels of benzene in products sitting on the shelf,” the researchers stated in their findings, published on Monday in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.
This latest study follows an earlier analysis conducted by Valisure, which raised alarms about the presence of benzene in acne products. In March, the lab filed a petition with the FDA to recall the affected products. Although the FDA initially pledged to investigate Valisure’s claims, a spokesperson indicated in July that research is still ongoing. The earlier study received criticism for testing products at high temperatures, but the current research maintained products at room temperature, benefiting from peer review for added rigor.
While some acne products still showed elevated benzene levels, approximately 70 others, including Clean & Clear and Neutrogena, remained within safe limits when stored properly. However, certain Clearasil products had benzene levels marginally exceeding the U.S. limit of 2 parts per million. Alarmingly, the study also highlighted that benzene levels in acne treatments could significantly increase when exposed to ultraviolet light at body temperature, raising potential risks for users in sunny conditions.
In response to the findings, CVS Health Corp. stated its commitment to ensuring product safety, while Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc, the maker of Clearasil, expressed confidence in the safety of its products. Sun Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd., which acquired Proactiv maker Taro Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. in June, has not yet commented.
The FDA had instructed drug manufacturers in 2021 to test certain products for benzene, particularly those containing hydrocarbons like benzoyl peroxide. However, none of the companies have responded to inquiries about their testing practices for benzene.
Christopher Bunick, a Yale University associate professor of dermatology and co-author of the study, emphasized the need for manufacturers to prioritize consumer safety, stating, “I think we’re going to see a little more careful attention from the manufacturers. They have a duty to the consumer to check.”