High levels of carcinogens found in some acne creams

Independent testing has found that some acne creams contain high levels of carcinogens - Photo: GETTY IMAGES

High levels of the chemical benzene, which can cause cancer, have been found in some acne products from brands such as Clinique (Estee Lauder), Up & Up (Target) and Clearasil (Reckitt Benckiser), according to new independent testing results released by Valisure Laboratory, based in New Haven, Connecticut, on March 6.

Accordingly, Valisure detected "unacceptably high" levels of benzene in both prescription and non-prescription acne products containing the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide.

Other products found to contain benzene include Proactiv, PanOxyl, Walgreens acne soap and Equate Beauty acne cream, both sold by Walmart.

Benzene - a known carcinogen - has been found in a number of consumer products including sunscreen, hand sanitizer and dry shampoo from companies such as Procter & Gamble and Johnson & Johnson. These products were later recalled.

However, Valisure stressed that the discovery of high levels of benzene in acne products is significantly different from previous incidents.

Specifically, benzene is found in sunscreens and other consumer products as an impurity due to benzene contamination in ingredients. Meanwhile, benzene is found in acne products containing the active ingredient benzoyl peroxide, which is derived from this active ingredient.

Test results showed that some products contained benzene levels 800 times higher than the limit set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a condition for licensing.

Worryingly, it's not just acne products that can leach this carcinogen out of the packaging, leading to the risk of inhaling the carcinogen.

Valisure has filed a petition with the FDA calling for a recall, investigation, and modification of the marketing instructions for the products.

Target, Estee Lauder, Walmart and Reckitt have yet to officially respond, but Estee Lauder's stock fell 3% following the news.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/phat-hien-chat-gay-ung-thu-ham-luong-cao-trong-mot-so-loai-kem-tri-mun-20240306224902819.htm