An independent laboratory, Valisure, has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to remove several acne products from shelves. According to Valisure's tests, these products contain dangerously high levels of benzene, a known carcinogen that can cause cancer. The lab found that benzene can form in treatments containing benzoyl peroxide, with some products showing benzene concentrations over 800 times higher than the FDA's "conditionally restricted" level.

Previous recalls have been made for products like shampoo, deodorants, and sunscreens due to the presence of benzene. The FDA states that exposure to benzene can occur through inhalation, ingestion, and skin contact, posing serious health risks such as leukemia and blood disorders.

Valisure's tests also revealed that benzene could leak out of product packaging, presenting an inhalation risk. In one experiment, a Proactiv product was left in a hot car for almost 17 hours, resulting in benzene levels in the vehicle cabin approximately 1,270 times higher than the Environmental Protection Agency's threshold for increased cancer risk through long-term inhalation exposure to benzene.

The lab tested numerous products, including Estee Lauder's Clinique, Clearasil, Target's Up & Up, and Walmart's Equate beauty line. Valisure's findings suggest that currently formulated benzoyl peroxide medications may be fundamentally unstable, generating unacceptably high levels of benzene when exposed to higher temperatures during consumer handling or storage. The release of benzene can occur either within the product itself or escape into the surrounding air. As a result, Valisure is requesting an investigation into these products and their market withdrawal.

However, Reckitt, the manufacturer of Clearasil acne products, downplayed Valisure's findings. They stated that the laboratory's tests reflected unrealistic scenarios rather than real-world conditions and emphasized that their treatments are safe when used and stored according to the instructions on their labels.

It is worth noting that other products utilizing salicylic acid or adapalene did not exhibit the same issue of benzene contamination.

The petition by Valisure sheds light on potential health risks associated with acne products containing benzoyl peroxide. The FDA will now have to evaluate the evidence and determine if a recall of these products is necessary to protect consumers from exposure to this hazardous carcinogen.