Benzoyl peroxide, a popular acne treatment, is under scrutiny due to benzene contamination. Benzene is a potent carcinogen that can cause severe health problems. Health Canada, the World Health Organization, and the FDA are probing into the matter. A petition for recalling benzoyl peroxide treatments is underway. Natural alternatives or salicylic acid topicals are suggested as safer acne treatments.
Is your acne skin care harming your health?
Transcript
Do you use products for your acne? One of the leading treatments, benzoyl peroxide, is being questioned in a really big way.
An American independent lab found that benzene, a powerful carcinogen, was actually forming in benzoyl peroxide products and at way higher levels than approved by the FDA. Benzoyl peroxide can degrade into benzene, which then can leak out of packaging and create serious risk for inhalation.
Benzene was found in 66 anti-acne products that were tested, including popular brands like Clearasil, Proactiv, and even Clinique. Exposure to benzene, whether through breathing it in or from applying it to the skin, can actually cause drastic health issues like leukemia and blood disorders. Health Canada, the World Health Organization, and the FDA have all stated that benzene can cause cancer.
The lab Valisure has petitioned the USDA and asked them to take action and recall benzoyl peroxide acne treatments. Now, Health Canada and the FDA are investigating this issue, and further testing is needed, of course, to verify these findings. Some dermatologists are saying to keep benzoyl peroxide in your refrigerator or a cool place to preserve it and prevent degrading. Others are suggesting that, until further information comes out, maybe put down the benzoyl peroxide for now.
There are also alternatives. There are natural alternatives, like seeing a naturopath and healing your gut to ensure that your skin is healthy from the inside out. Most people don’t realize how connected our gut and our skin are, and that’s really the only way to truly heal acne. There are also topicals like salicylic acid that can help you to control it.
In the meantime, benzoyl peroxide has been an important acne treatment over the last 50 years, so will you still be using it?