Cancer-Causing Benzene Found in Acne Creams Including Proactiv, Clearasil

Cancer-Causing Benzene Found in Acne Creams Including Proactiv, Clearasil

From hand sanitizers to dry shampoos to sunscreen, benzene, a chemical linked to leukemia and other cancers, has been found in high levels in these widely used consumer products in recent years. You can now add popular acne treatments to that list. Independent testing by Valisure LLC has confirmed the presence of benzene at upwards of nine times greater concentration than the amount believed to promote cancer growth in popular acne products, including Proactiv, Target Corp.’s Up & Up, and Clinique products.

Valisure tested 66 acne products containing the ingredient benzoyl peroxide, including various creams, lotions, gels, and washes. Over time and under temperature, benzoyl peroxide degrades and can form benzene. Valisure’s testing saw benzene levels increase significantly at higher temperatures that mimicked the typical breakdown of these products over time when stored in a medicine cabinet in a steamy bathroom. Proactiv’s 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream contained upwards of 1,761 parts per million of benzene (where the FDA allows only two parts per million), Target’s Up & Up had 1,598 parts per million, and Clinique hit 401 parts per million. Meanwhile, a 10% benzoyl peroxide Clearasil cream initially tested just at the FDA limit but jumped to 308 parts per million after a two-week exposure to high temperatures. Even more concerning, unopened Proactiv still leaked high levels of benzene into the air at the 17-hour mark when kept at the temperature of a hot shower. Notably, Valisure-tested, salicylic acid-based products did not show elevated benzene levels.

Acne affects upwards of 50 million people each year, and the numbers are even higher among teenagers and young adults, with around 85% of those aged 12 to 24 having some form of the condition. To think that this population could be exposing itself to high levels of benzene when trying to manage their condition is quite alarming. If you believe your health has been impacted by exposure to benzene, you should contact an experienced law firm right away to explore your rights.