Popular acne products recalled after high levels of benzene found: What to know

WASHINGTON - Several popular acne products have been recalled after testing found high levels of benzene, a chemical associated with cancer.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said certain acne products containing benzoyl peroxide were recalled at the retail level after third-party testing results submitted to the agency "raised concerns about elevated levels of benzene."

Here’s what to know:

What is benzene?

What we know:

Benzene is a chemical used in the production of a wide range of industrial products, including chemicals, dyes, detergents, and some plastics. It’s released into the air in cigarette smoke, emissions from cars, and burning coal and oil, according to the FDA’s website. 

Why you should care:

The health consequences of benzene exposure depend on the amount, method, and length of time of exposure, as well as the age and preexisting medical conditions of the person, according to the FDA. But prolonged exposure to high levels can cause leukemia and other cancers.

Big picture view:

In recent years, a variety of other products have been recalled over benzene levels, including hand sanitizers, aerosols and sunscreens.

List of popular acne products recalled 

The backstory:

Earlier this month, an independent laboratory called on U.S. federal health officials to recall popular benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products after discovering that they contained high levels of benzene. For its part, the FDA on March 11 said it had initiated its own independent testing of 95 acne treatment products, and identified six products with 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; 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 FDA added that the manufacturer of another benzoyl peroxide acne product, Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel, also agreed to voluntarily recall the product due to the elevated level of benzene found during its own testing.

What they're saying:

The FDA stressed consumers face little risk from the products.

"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," the agency stated.

FILE - A close-up image of a person with a breakout. (Photo By BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images)

What's next:

The recalls announced apply to stores selling the items, and do not specifically instruct consumers to take any specific action. 

Meanwhile, the agency said it will publish the full results of its testing, including data and information on testing methods, in "one or more peer-reviewed journals in the coming months."