A recall has been issued for tens of thousands of beauty creams over fears that they are laced with a cancer-causing chemical.
Proactiv, which states on its website that it has more than 20 million customers worldwide, has recalled lots of its Emergency Blemish Relief cream and Skin Smoothing Exfoliator.
The creams were found to contain benzene, a known carcinogen linked to leukemia and blood cancers.
The risk level of the recall has been classified as a ‘Class II’, meaning ‘it may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.’
The recall applies to 38,237 bottles of Proactiv’s Emergency Blemish Relief cream in the 0.33oz format, with the lot numbers V3304A and V3305A, and an expiry date of 31 October 2025.
Meanwhile, 3,500 bottles (6fl oz in size) of the Skin Smoothing Exfoliator have been impacted, with products identifiable by the lot number V4204A and 31 July 2025 expiry date.
The FDA says on its website regarding previous benzene recalls: ‘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.’
Proactiv, which states on its website that it has more than 20 million customers worldwide, has recalled lots of its Emergency Blemish Relief cream and Skin Smoothing Exfoliator after benzene – a known carcinogen – was discovered in the products
The recall comes after six other products from L’Oreal and Walgreens were recalled by the FDA after testing showed they also contained elevated levels of benzene.
The FDA listed the following products in the recall: La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment by L’Oreal; Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser; Proactiv+ Emergency Blemish Relief Cream Benzoyl Peroxide 5%; Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator; SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion; Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream.
The creams all have sell-by dates between March 2025 and March 2026.
A total of 95 creams were tested by the FDA, with only six being found to contain elevated levels of benzene.
The rest either had no detectable levels of the substance, or trace amounts.
Certain acne products contain benzoyl peroxide, which helps to kill bacteria when applied to the face.
Bacteria on the skin can cause acne by triggering inflammation or increasing the build up of oils.
In some cases, however, benzoyl peroxide can break down into benzene.
The chemical is often found in glues, rubbers, synthetic fibers and other materials.
Occupational exposure is most common, according to a 2010 report, with many who work in manufacturing inhaling the chemical regularly.
People who live near factories or processing plants that use benzene may also be exposed in the environment.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) warns that cigarette smoke and car emissions are also sources of exposure.
While small, occasional exposures are not overly worrisome, the NCI warns the chemical can lead to the development of leukemia and other blood cancers, along with other blood-based diseases such as anemia.
About 40 to 50million Americans suffer from acne, a common skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and cysts on the skin
The chemical can cause cells in a person’s bone marrow to stop working properly – changing the way the body produces red blood cells in a way that causes cancer.
Around 60,000 cases of leukemia are diagnosed each year, causing more than 20,000 deaths.
The Proactiv recall comes just a year after California-based lab Valisure revealed it had detected ‘unacceptably high levels’ of benzene in several over-the-counter and prescription acne treatments that use the ingredient benzoyl peroxide.
Affected products from that testing included several acne creams from Clinique, Clearasil, Target’s Up & Up, and Walmart’s Equate Beauty acne treatment.
About 40 to 50million Americans suffer from acne, a common skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and cysts on the skin.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Proactiv’s parent company, New York-based Alchemee, for comment.
