Acne
17 March 2025
The very recent recall of acne products including La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment due to elevated levels of benzene found in these products has worried many users. The presence of benzene in acne and sunscreen products is not new- but safety concerns have re emerged due to on-going news around benzene’s role as a carcinogen.
Here’s a review of the science of benzene in skincare; the background of these developments (if you’re into controversy and drama- you won’t be disappointed) and a look at whether La Roche-Posay’s products in Singapore are affected.
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In March 2025, La Roche-Posay and a few other brands announced the recall of their acne products. These are the brands and affected products1:
The US FDA conducted tests on 95 acne products containing benzoyl peroxide and found that a small number, including these products, contained elevated but still low levels of benzene1. The US FDA also states that “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”1.
These affected brands, including La Roche-Posay have voluntarily recalled these products out of an abundance of caution1. This recall is at the retail level, which means the products are not to be sold. This does not affect consumers; and no action is required from them if they have one of these products.
Benzene is a carcinogen linked to cancers like leukemia2. Although benzene’s presence in skincare worries many; the main route of exposure for the general population is through inhalation. Inhalation accounts for more than 95–99% of the benzene exposure for the general population3,4. Benzene is present in ambient and indoor air; and cigarette smoking contributes significantly to the amount of benzene inhaled3-5. Benzene intake from contaminated food and water is regarded to be minimal3,4.
After benzene enters the body, it is converted metabolically by enzymes (cytochrome P450 2E1) into unstable metabolites6. This unstable metabolite, benzene oxide, causes DNA damage and chromosomal aberrations, leading to the development of cancers6.
Fact is, benzene is not intentionally added to skincare products. However, benzene ends up in cosmetics including deodorants, antiperspirants, sunscreens, skincare and dry shampoos because of contamination and degradation of raw materials and ingredients.
Benzene is one of the raw materials used to manufacture plastics, and ingredients for cosmetics like solvents and thickeners. Benzoyl peroxide, an active ingredient for treating acne, can also degrade into benzene when kept at high temperatures.
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There’s more to this uproar than meets the eye; and some important details have been lost in the news and perhaps, fear mongering.
First of all, some of the 6 products found to have elevated levels of Benzene were approaching their expiration dates1. This includes La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment which was to expire in April 2025. These findings could be batch specific and is a reminder to all of us to store our skincare as recommended, and not to use products beyond their expiration date.
Second: the Valisure background. This goes back to 2021, when Valisure, a US based independent laboratory for pharmaceutical and consumer product testing, announced that it uncovered benzene in sunscreens. Subsequently in 2024, Valisure announced that it found raised levels of benzene in popular acne products including those from Proactiv, Clinique, and Clearasil7. Valisure then submitted a citizen petition for the US FDA to recall these products.
However, it was uncovered that the test conditions that Valisure conducted its experiments- prolonged storage at high temperatures (50 and 70 deg celsius)- were unrealistic7. Cosmetic chemist, Dr Michelle Wong, has done an excellent job in analysing the experiments, and I urge you to read her post here.
In the background, Valisure also filed for a patent application for stabilisation method of benzoyl peroxide in acne products, through its subsidiary, Blue Hill Technologies8.
Third- the US FDA also states that “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”1.
Benzoyl peroxide can degrade to benzene- and this is accelerated at higher temperatures of 50 and 70 degree celsius7. This underscores the importance of storage of skincare under recommended conditions; and not to use cosmetics beyond their expiry dates. I usually recommend that my patients store their benzoyl peroxide creams and other medications in a dark and cool cupboard to minimise breakdown.
Benzoyl peroxide treats acne by its anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and comedolytic mechanisms. As it is not an antibiotic, risk of bacterial resistance is low. Benzoyl peroxide is also safe for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers.
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Alternative treatments for benzoyl peroxide have been discussed in 5 Skincare Ingredients for Acne & Acne Prone Skin. In-clinic treatments for acne include lasers and chemical peels.
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The good news is, La-Roche Posay Effaclar Duo Creams in Singapore and Malaysia are not affected. This recall only concerns the US. The version of this cream in Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and countries in the European Union is Effaclar Duo+M. Unlike the US version, this version does not contain Benzoyl peroxide. Instead it contains phylobioma, an ingredient that reduces sebum overproduction and the specific IA1 phylotype of C.acnes linked to acne.
In summary, this recall of La Roche-Posay’s Effaclar Duo cream may have blown into a media storm, but the risks of cancer from the elevated but low levels of benzene in the affected products seems to be low.
I believe this news highlights the importance of proper storage of skincare and ensuring the supply chain protects the integrity of products- so purchasing from legitimate sources (e.g. official distributors), storing the products as recommended and not using the products beyond their expiry dates are important! I’ll be using my benzoyl peroxide still for my acne, how about you? Let me know your thoughts and questions in the comments below!
References:
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. US FDA 3/11/2025,https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/limited-number-voluntary-recalls-initiated-after-fda-testing-acne-products-benzene-findings-show?utm_source=chatgpt.com.
2. Benzene. 15th Report on Carcinogens [Internet].
3. IEH report on the benzene in the environment. Leicester: MRC Institute for Environment and Health; 1999. (Report R12).
4. MacLeod and Mackay. An assessment of the environmental fate and exposure of benzene and the chlorobenzenes in Canada. Chemosphere. 1999;38:1777–1796.
5. Benzene in the environment: an assessment of the potential risks to the health of the population. Duarte-Davidson et al. Occupational and Environmental Medicine. 2001;58:2–13.
6. Current understanding of the mechanism of benzene-induced leukemia in humans: implications for risk assessment. Cliona et al. Carcinogenesis. 2011 Dec 12;33(2):240–252.
7. Evaluation of Benzene Presence and Formation in Benzoyl Peroxide Drug Products. Kucera et al. J Invest Dermatol. 2024 Oct 7:S0022-202X(24)02155-9.
8. VALISURE DISCOVERS BENZOYL PEROXIDE ACNE TREATMENT PRODUCTS ARE UNSTABLE AND FORM BENZENE. https://www.valisure.com/valisure-newsroom/valisure-detects-benzene-in-benzoyl-peroxide 9. Shelf-stable formulations of benzoyl peroxide and methods of producing same. https://patents.google.com/patent/WO2023177625A1/en s
