FDA recalls Proactiv, L’Oreal La Roche-Posay, other acne products over cancer-causing ingredient

Acne treatment recall overview:

• Who: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled six acne treatment products containing benzoyl peroxide.
• Why: The FDA found elevated levels of benzene, a cancer-linked chemical, in the products.
• Where: The acne product recall is active in the United States.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has found elevated levels of benzene — a cancer-linked chemical — in six acne treatment products containing benzoyl peroxide, leading to recalls nationwide.

The agency tested 95 acne treatment products after third-party laboratories raised concerns about benzene contamination, it said in a March 11 announcement.

More than 90% of the tested products showed undetectable or extremely low benzene levels. However, a limited number contained elevated amounts, prompting voluntary manufacturer recalls of the following products:

• L’Oreal La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment (Lot number MYX46W, expires April 2025)
• Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser (Lot number 23 09328, expires September 2025)
• Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief Cream Benzoyl Peroxide 5% (Lot numbers V3305A and V3304A, expires October 2025)
• Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (Lot number V4204A, expires July 2025)
• SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion (Lot number 2430600, expires March 2025)
• Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream (Lot number 49707430, expires March 2026)

Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel was also recalled after its manufacturer found benzene contamination in independent testing, the FDA said.

Benzene, found in crude oil, gasoline and cigarette smoke, is linked to cancer with prolonged exposure. Despite the contamination, the FDA states that even decades of daily use of the affected products pose a very low cancer risk.

The agency plans to publish its full testing results in peer-reviewed journals. Consumers can check the FDA’s recall database for updates.

The FDA emphasized that the recalls are limited to retail stores and online marketplaces, which means consumers are not explicitly advised to discard the products. However, the agency recommends checking expiration dates and disposing of expired products.

In 2024, the manufacturer of Proactiv benzoyl peroxide products faced a class action lawsuit alleging the products can degrade into benzene. The lawsuit is one in a series of class actions related to benzoyl peroxide products degrading. 

Clinique Laboratories is also facing a benzoyl peroxide class action lawsuit alleging it manufactures, markets and sells acne treatment products that degrade over time into benzene.

Are you affected by the L’Oreal acne treatment recall? Let us know in the comments.

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