Acne Products At Walgreens Flagged For Benzene, Recalls Announced

On Tuesday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration revealed results of new agency testing of over 90 acne products containing benzoyl peroxide for possible benzene contamination.

More than 90% of tested products had undetectable or extremely low levels of benzene. As a result, the FDA concluded that the products should be recalled at the retail level.

Benzene is a chemical formed in nature and from human activities. It is also a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke. Exposure to benzene can increase the risk of cancer.

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The FDA initiated independent testing after receiving third-party testing results submitted to the agency that raised concerns about elevated levels of benzene in certain acne products containing benzoyl peroxide.

The FDA testing results indicate fewer products with benzene contamination than the third-party findings.

FDA tested 95 acne treatment products containing benzoyl peroxide and found six products with elevated levels of benzene. The companies have voluntarily agreed to take action to recall certain products due to elevated levels of benzene:

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

The agency noted that the recalls are conducted at the retail level, not the consumer level. This means retailers must remove products from store shelves and online marketplaces. Consumers, however, are not instructed to take action regarding products in their possession.

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.

Additionally, the manufacturer of another benzoyl peroxide acne product, Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel, agreed to voluntarily recall this product due to the elevated level of benzene found during its testing.

FDA intends to publish the full results of its testing. Data and information on testing methods will be featured in one or more peer-reviewed journals in the coming months. 

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