Benzene Found in Over-the-counter Acne Treatments: Dangers and Warnings

🚫Many over-the-counter acne treatments contain high levels of the cancer-causing chemical Benzene, exceeding FDA limits.

🔍The chemical Benzene can decompose from benzoyl peroxide when it gets warm, leading to potential health risks.

📢Estee Lauder, Clinique, and Proactiv are among the brands found to have high concentrations of Benzene in their acne treatments.

⚠️The US lab that detected Benzene in acne treatments previously found the chemical in dry shampoos, leading to a recall.

🔬The lab is petitioning the FDA for a recall of these products to protect consumers from potential harm.

What is Benzene?

—Benzene is a cancer-causing chemical that can be found in various consumer products, including over-the-counter acne treatments.

What are the dangers of Benzene?

—Benzene is a known carcinogen and can have adverse health effects when exposed to high concentrations, including increased risk of cancer and other illnesses.

Which acne treatment brands were affected?

—Estee Lauder, Clinique, and Proactiv are among the brands named in the lab's findings for having high levels of Benzene in their acne treatments.

How does Benzene end up in acne treatments?

—Benzene can be formed as a decomposition product of benzoyl peroxide, a common ingredient in acne treatments, when it gets warm.

What action is being taken to address this issue?

—The lab that discovered the high levels of Benzene in acne treatments has petitioned the FDA for a recall of these products to protect consumers.

00:00A US lab has detected high concentrations of the cancer-causing chemical Benzene in over-the-counter acne treatments.

00:30The chemical can decompose from benzoyl peroxide when it gets warm, leading to potential health risks.

01:06Brands like Estee Lauder, Clinique, and Proactiv have been found to have high concentrations of Benzene in their acne treatments.

01:23The lab that detected the Benzene in acne treatments previously found it in dry shampoos, leading to a recall.

01:43The lab is petitioning the FDA for a recall of these products to protect consumers from potential harm.