Class actions claim benzoyl peroxide acne products contain harmful benzene

Benzoyl peroxide acne products class action lawsuits overview: 

• Who: Consumers filed class action lawsuits against L’Oreal, Johnson & Johnson, Target and Walgreens Boots Alliance. 
• Why: The lawsuits claim the companies’ benzoyl peroxide acne products contain dangerous levels of the human carcinogen benzene. 
• Where: The class action lawsuits were filed in U.S. federal courts. 

Consumes filed a number of class action lawsuits against companies this month over claims they sold benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products containing dangerous levels of benzene, a known human carcinogen. 

The class action lawsuits cite a 2023 study independent laboratory Valisure conducted that they say found benzoyl peroxide products contained benzene levels higher than allowed for regulated drugs. 

The presence of benzene in the acne treatment products is the result of benzoyl peroxide degrading into the cancer-causing chemical under normal conditions, according to the class action lawsuits. 

CeraVe benzoyl peroxide products contain dangerous amount of benzene, class action claims

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against L’Oreal over claims the company’s CeraVe brand benzoyl peroxide products contain a dangerous amount of the cancer-causing chemical benzene. 

The class action lawsuit names CeraVe Acne Foam Cream Cleanser, which contains 4% benzoyl peroxide, and CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash, which has 10% benzoyl peroxide.

La Roche-Posay brand benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products contain benzene, class action says

A consumer filed a separate class action lawsuit against L’Oreal over claims the company’s La Roche-Posay branded benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products contain benzene. 

The class action lawsuit claims the La Roche-Posay benzoyl peroxide acne treatment product fails to disclose that it contains benzene, including by not including the chemical in its list of ingredients. 

The class action cites the Valisure study, with the plaintiffs arguing the industry independently confirmed the presence of benzene in benzoyl peroxide products.

L’Oreal benzoyl peroxide acne treatment drugs contain benzene, class action alleges

A consumer filed yet another class action lawsuit against L’Oreal over broader claims the company sold benzoyl peroxide acne treatment drug products containing unsafe levels of benzene. 

The class action lawsuit claims L’Oreal failed to disclose the presence of benzene to consumers and warn consumers their benzoyl peroxide products may degrade into benzene. 

“(Benzoyl peroxide) Products should not contain benzene, nor degrade into benzene, except under extraordinary circumstances,” the L’Oreal class action states. 

Class action says J&J benzoyl peroxide acne treatments tested positive for benzene

A pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Johnson & Johnson earlier this month over claims their benzoyl peroxide acne treatment drug products tested positive for dangerous levels of benzene during the 2023 Valisure study. 

The class action lawsuit claims Johnson & Johnson uses benzoyl peroxide, along with other active ingredients, that can degrade into benzene for products such as acne creams, washes, scrubs and bars. 

Target benzoyl peroxide products contain unsafe levels of benzene, class action alleges

A consumer filed a class action lawsuit against Target over claims the company sold benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products containing unsafe levels of benzene. 

Target should have known its benzoyl peroxide products could potentially expose consumers to benzene under normal use, handling and storage conditions, the Target class action alleges. 

The class action lawsuit claims the Target benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products also fail to comply with relevant standards set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and cites the 2023 Valisure study. 

Benzoyl peroxide in Walgreens’ products degrades into benzene, class action claims

A pair of consumers filed a class action lawsuit against Walgreens Boots Alliance over claims its benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products contain benzene as a result of ingredient degradation. 

The class action lawsuit once again cites the 2023 Valisure study that found products with benzoyl peroxide contain benzene levels that are higher than allowed in a regulated drug. 

“If benzene is found in any on-market or post-market product, the drug is adulterated, unlawful and the drug manufacturer must contact the (FDA) initiate a voluntary recall,” the class action lawsuit says.

Have you purchased a benzoyl peroxide acne treatment product? Let us know in the comments.

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