Acne Products Recalled for Benzene Contamination
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Acne Treatments Recalled for Benzene Contamination

Certain benzoyl peroxide acne products by Walgreens, Proactive, and La Roche-Posay pose a ‘very low’ risk from this chemical linked to cancer.
Acne Treatments Recalled for Benzene Contamination
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Published on March 14, 2025
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a voluntary recall of several benzoyl peroxide acne treatments after testing revealed elevated levels of benzene, a chemical known to cause cancer at high exposure levels.

“It is important to note the recalls are being conducted at the retail level, not the consumer level,” the FDA said in its announcement. “This means retailers are instructed to remove products from store shelves and online marketplaces, but does not specifically instruct consumers to take actions regarding products currently in their possession.”

The following products were voluntarily recalled by their manufacturers:

  • La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment Lot no. MYX46W; Expires April 2025
  • Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser Lot no. 23 09328; expires September 2025
  • Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief Cream Benzoyl Peroxide 5% Lot nos. V3305A, V3304A; expires October 2025
  • Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator Lot no. V4204A; expires July 2025
  • SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion Lot no. 2430600; expires March 2025.
  • Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream Lot no. 49707430; expires March 2026

The maker of another acne product, Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel, issued a voluntary recall due to elevated benzene levels found in its own testing, the FDA said.

The agency said using the recalled acne treatments poses a very low risk. “Even with daily use of these products for decades, the risk of a person developing cancer because of exposure to benzene found in these products is very low,” the FDA said.

The agency noted that several of these products are approaching their expiration date. If you have an expired product, you should throw it away, the FDA said.

What Is Benzene?

Benzene is a chemical byproduct of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. It’s also found in nature.

Manufacturers use benzene to make industrial products like dyes, detergents, and some plastics, but benzene is not usually used to make drugs like acne products, the FDA says.

Benzene contamination in benzoyl peroxide treatments “may be related to inactive ingredients in drugs such as carbomers (thickening agents), isobutane (a spray propellant), or other drug components made from hydrocarbons (chemicals made of hydrogen and carbon),” the agency says.

What Are the Health Risks of Benzene?

The health risks posed by benzene depend on the amount, route, and length of exposure. Even if someone used expired, benzene-contaminated benzoyl peroxide products for decades, their risk of cancer would be very low because the amount of benzene in these treatments is very low, the FDA says.

Exposure to benzene over long periods of time can decrease the production of blood cells and potentially lead to cancers like leukemia and other blood disorders.

EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Limited Number of Voluntary Recalls Initiated After FDA Testing of Acne Products For Benzene; Findings Show a Small Number of Products With Elevated Levels of Benzene Contamination. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. March 11, 2025.
  2. Frequently Asked Questions on Benzene Contamination in Drugs. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. March 12, 2025.
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