*A recent study uncovered concerning levels of the carcinogenic substance benzene in widely used acne treatment products.
PEOPLE reports that well-known brands like Clearasil and Clinique contain the commonly used ingredient benzoyl peroxide, which contains the cancer-causing chemical benzene, according to the laboratory Valisure.
Vailsure also detected benzene in Up & Up, Target’s beauty line, Proactiv, PanOxyl, Walgreens’ acne soap bar, and Walmart’s Equate Beauty acne cream. The researchers’ findings were published in Reuters.
The laboratory has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to recall these products.
“Valisure’s tests on dozens of prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products suggest that currently formulated BPO medications are fundamentally unstable and can generate unacceptably high levels of benzene when handled or stored at higher temperatures that the products may be exposed to during handling by consumers,” the laboratory reported, PEOPLE reports.
Acne products sold in the US have been found to contain the cancer-causing chemical benzene https://t.co/fHLiqmJ2gy
— Bloomberg (@business) March 8, 2024
The lab report states, “Benzene can be produced in the product itself and potentially escape into the surrounding air.”
According to the CDC, benzene is a known carcinogen. Per the agency “Both the International Agency for Cancer Research and the EPA have determined that benzene is carcinogenic to humans. Exposure to benzene may be harmful to the reproductive organs.”
PEOPLE reports that Reckitt, the producer of Clearasil, said in a statement, “All Clearasil products, when used and stored as directed on their labels, are safe.”
“The safety and quality of our products is our top priority and we work closely with regulators around the world to ensure our products are safe and effective for their intended use,” the company said.
“Clearasil products and their ingredients are stable over the storage conditions described on their packaging which represent all reasonable and foreseeable conditions. The findings presented by an independent lab today reflect unrealistic scenarios rather than real-world conditions,” the statement continued.
READ MORE: Skincare Experts Warn Against Viral Vaseline Eye Trend
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