Is Your Acne Medication Safe? New Study Shows High Levels of Cancer-Causing Chemical in Some Products Some products from Proactive and CVS Health contained the highest levels of benzene—18 times and 13 times the FDA’s limit, respectively
New research shows some popular acne and rosacea treatments contain high levels of benzene, a known carcinogen
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- New research shows some popular acne and rosacea treatments contain high levels of benzene, a known carcinogen.
- In testing more than 100 commercially available benzoyl peroxide products, researchers found roughly one-third contained high levels of benzene.
- Some products from Proactive and CVS Health contained the highest levels of benzene—18 times and 13 times the FDA’s limit, respectively.
Some popular acne and rosacea treatments contain “unacceptably high” levels of benzene, a known carcinogen, new research shows.
The findings come from a new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology. It built off of previous research that detected the cancer-causing ingredient in numerous personal care products, including sunscreens, hand sanitizers, and dry shampoos.
In testing more than 100 benzoyl peroxide products from six states—all commercially available—researchers discovered that roughly one-third of the products contained high levels of benzene.
“The discovery of benzene formation in benzoyl peroxide acne treatments presents a potentially serious public health risk,” lead investigator David Light, co-founder and president of Valisure, LLC, said in a news release.
“Our research demonstrates that these products, widely used by consumers of all ages, can potentially contain or generate concerningly high levels of benzene, particularly under common environmental conditions,” Light added. “This issue highlights the critical importance of rigorous independent testing of drug products to help protect consumers from harmful contaminants or degradation products.”
Here’s what to know if you currently have any acne or rosacea creams, gels, or cleansers in your medicine cabinet.
What Is Benzene?
Benzene is a colorless liquid chemical at room temperature that evaporates quickly when exposed to air. It’s formed by both natural processes and human activities. People are typically exposed to benzene by breathing in air that contains the chemical, such as through cigarette smoke or work in industrial sectors. In the case of the new study, benzoyl peroxide can degrade into benzene.
Exposure to benzene has been linked to a higher risk of certain cancers, including leukemia and blood cancers. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), National Toxicology Program (NTP), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) all classify benzene as a known human carcinogen.
New Research on Benzene in Acne Treatments
For the new study, researchers from Valisure, a Connecticut-based lab, and professors from Yale University and Long Island University tested 111 new, unopened room-temperature benzoyl peroxide products purchased from major U.S. retailers.
The room-temperature part of the study is important here. Previous research from Valisure on benzene in acne products came under scrutiny for testing practices, in which products were analyzed at elevated temperatures (50 and 70 degrees Celsius; 122 and 158 degrees Fahrenheit), which didn’t mimic typical storage conditions.
Under new conditions—and in a study that was peer-reviewed—researchers found that 34% of the products from brands including Proactiv, La Roche-Posay, CVS Health, and Clearasil contained elevated levels of benzene, higher than the 2 parts per million (ppm) limit set by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Some products from Proactiv and CVS Health contained the highest levels of benzene—18 times and 13 times the FDA’s limit, respectively.
“The results presented here suggest that a substantial portion of the BPO [benzoyl peroxide] acne treatment market currently contains unacceptably high levels of benzene in products sitting on the shelf,” study authors wrote, explaining their findings.
Products that didn’t contain elevated levels of benzene were those made by Clean & Clear, Equate, Neutrogena, and Walgreens.
Additionally, researchers clarified how temperatures affect benzoyl peroxide and the formation of benzene: cold storage stabilizes benzoyl peroxide, which is in line with guidance from the American Acne and Rosacea Society, which suggests refrigerating products made with the medication, according to study authors.
Sun exposure doesn’t have the same effect—when exposed to UVA/B light, benzene forms rapidly, suggesting that the ingredient may be even more potent when people wear it in the sun. “This experiment strongly justifies the package label warnings to avoid sun exposure when using BPO drug products,” the study authors wrote.
Can You Avoid Benzene in Personal Care Products?
Benzene is not intentionally added to products, so it isn’t listed as an ingredient, and there isn’t an easy way for the average person to know whether it’s present in anything they buy.
“This is why FDA oversight on this carcinogen is so important for the safety and health of the public,” study co-author Christopher G. Bunick, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine, told Health.
Bunick, who is also the director of the American Acne and Rosacea Society, recommends storing any products containing benzoyl peroxide at cold temperatures, away from any sources of heat or sunlight, and using the products within three months.
“It’s also a good idea to keep an eye on product recalls and stick to brands that are known for good quality control and transparency about their ingredients,” Saami Khalifian, MD, a dermatologist and founder of SOM Aesthetics, told Health.
All spray products, including spray sunscreen, spray deodorant, and dry shampoo, should be used in well-ventilated areas, and every effort should be made not to inhale these products, added Elle de Moll, MD, a dermatologist at Elite Dermatology Physicians and a clinical assistant professor at Yale University.
What’s Next for Benzene Research?
The new study is likely only the beginning of a wave of research on the presence of benzene in personal care products to help us better understand the full scope of contamination and stability issues, according to Hannah Kopelman, MD, a dermatologist at DermOnDemand.
“The fact that we are seeing benzene pop up across multiple product categories emphasizes the need for ongoing surveillance and stricter manufacturing controls to ensure consumer safety,” said Khalifian.
Additionally, Light told Health that “Valisure continues to investigate this issue in a variety of products.”
More specifically for benzene, the next important question to investigate more thoroughly is how much gets into the blood and establish the potential outcomes with regard to cancer and other health-related problems that may occur with benzene exposure, according to Bunick.
“In the long term, we may see manufacturers reformulate their products or implement stricter quality control measures,” said Kopelman, “which could lead to changes in what we see on store shelves, particularly in terms of product safety and transparency.”
This story originally appeared on: Health News - Author:Elizabeth Yuko, PhD
