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Rabat- A new report by the independent laboratory Valisure LLC has put many Moroccan consumers of acne products on high alert with its shocking findings that benzoyl peroxide (which is present in most acne treatment brands) may pose a risk of high levels of benzene, a carcinogenic chemical.
Worryingly, the report detailed that the compound was detected in various acne products from popular brands widely used in Morocco, including La Roche-Posay, CeraVe, Neutrogena, and Clinique.
According to the report, benzene formation can occur at concerning levels in both prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products.
Valisure’s testing encompassed 66 BPO products, including creams, lotions, gels, and washes, which are commonly found over the counter or as prescription formulations.
Alarmingly, the results revealed that certain acne products contained benzene concentrations up to 12 times higher than the US Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) acceptable threshold of 2 parts per million.
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The laboratory announced that tests involving numerous products indicate that exposure to high temperatures, such as when stored or handled in hot environments, reflected real-world scenarios where product degradation occurs over time.
In order to prompt a comprehensive investigation into the safety of these products, Valisure LLC filed on Tuesday a petition with the FDA. In it, the independent testing laboratory urged the federal US agency to recall all the concerned acne treatments due to their heightened levels of benzene.
In particular, the laboratory deplored that tests involving numerous products indicate that exposure to high temperatures, such as when stored or handled at elevated temperatures, can lead to significant benzene generation.
“I was shocked to hear this news as I have been using the product for years to treat my acne, which to me is a cosmetic issue rather than a health one, only to find out that the cure may lead to a much more serious health issue,” a petrified user of the concerned acne treatments told Morocco World News.
She added, “I urge the Moroccan government to conduct stringent testing on cosmetic products before they enter our market as no cosmetic solution or product is worth putting our health and life at risk!”
Valisure’s Citizen’s Petition to the FDA also revealed detectable levels of benzene in various acne products, including Neutrogena’s 10% BPO gel, La Roche-Posay’s 5.5% BPO cream, CeraVe’s 4% BPO cream, and Clinique’s 2.5% BPO cream.
With acne being one of the most common skin conditions, especially among teens and young adults, some shocked commenters on social media have responded to Valisure’s startling findings by saying that it is imperative that dermatologists share the latest research with their patients.
