Two popular Proactiv skin care products have been voluntarily recalled nationwide after they were found to contain traces of benzene, a known human carcinogen.
Newsweek has contacted Alchemee LLC, the company that initiated the recall, out of hours via email for comment.
Why It Matters
The presence of benzene in consumer health products has been the subject of growing concern in recent years due to its classification by health authorities as a cancer-causing substance.
The discovery of the chemical in widely used acne medications has implications for consumer safety and industry standards for over-the-counter products containing benzoyl peroxide, the active ingredient in both recalled items.
What To Know
Alchemee initiated the recall on March 12, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), after the products were found to be chemically contaminated.
The FDA later issued its classification of the recall on April 9, determining it a Class II recall, meaning that it is "a situation in which use of or exposure to a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote."
The recall, which is still ongoing, affects more than 41,000 bottles across two Proactiv-branded acne treatment products: Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief and Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator.
The Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief product, which contains 5 percent benzoyl peroxide, was distributed in 0.33 oz tubes.
Affected bottles come from lots V3304A and V3305A, with an expiration date of October 31, 2025. 38,237 bottles of this product is being recalled.
The second product, Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator, contains 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide and was distributed in both 6 fl. oz and 0.33 oz sizes.
Affected bottles come from lot V4204A, with an expiration date of July 31, 2025. 3,500 bottles of this product is being recalled.
Both products were distributed nationwide. Alchemee is headquartered in Hawthorne, New York. The firm notified affected distributors and stakeholders via email.
What Is Benzene?
Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a sweet odor, widely used in industrial applications such as the production of plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, and other chemicals.
It is classified as a human carcinogen by health authorities including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the World Health Organization.
Long-term exposure to benzene can affect bone marrow and lead to blood disorders such as leukemia.
Its presence in consumer products, particularly those applied to the skin, raises significant health concerns due to the potential for absorption and chronic exposure.
What People Are Saying
The FDA says on its website: "The health consequences of benzene exposure depend on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as age and preexisting medical conditions of the product user. For example, even with daily use of the recalled benzoyl peroxide acne products for decades, the risk of a person developing cancer because of exposure to benzene found in these products is very low."
It adds: "In small amounts over long periods of time, benzene can decrease the formation of blood cells. Long-term exposure to benzene through inhalation, oral intake, and skin absorption may result in cancers such as leukemia and other blood disorders."
David Cole-Hamilton, a professor at University of St Andrews, in Scotland, previously told Newsweek: "Benzoyl peroxide is not itself very dangerous. Benzene on the other hand is a highly potent carcinogen and is dangerous through ingestion, skin absorption inhalation and injection."
He added: "Benzoyl peroxide is made from benzoyl chloride, which comes originally from toluene and benzoic acid so not from benzene. It should not react to form benzene so any benzene contamination would be from an external source."
Dr. John G. Zampella, a dermatologist at NYU Langone Health, told Newsweek: "Benzene is a very reactive chemical that is a precursor to making things like plastic. Because it is so reactive, in the skin it can cause irritation or skin burns, if in high enough concentrations. It is also photosensitizing, which means it can increase your sensitivity to sunlight and give you a sunburn when you wouldn't normally get a sunburn."
He added: "Benzene is a breakdown product of benzoyl peroxide. This happens when benzoyl peroxide is exposed to heat or sunlight — making it important to properly store your acne products. With that said, the amounts are very small, and it isn't known what the effects of these small doses over time might be. Because the amounts and absorption of benzene from these products are small, the risk is low."
What Happens Next
The recall remains active, and no termination date has been announced. Consumers in possession of the affected products are advised to discontinue use and follow instructions issued by the distributor or regulatory authorities.
Update 04/11/25, 09:31 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with comment from Dr. John G. Zampella.
