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Makeup company L’Oréal S.A. issued a recall on all lots of acne cream Effaclar Duo due to concern that benzene, a known carcinogen, is in the product.
One year ago Valisure, an independent Connecticut testing lab, flagged acne products with benzoyl peroxide, like L’Oréal’s, could contain benzene.
Valisure called upon the Food and Drug Administration to issue a regulation, revise guidance, and recall products with benzoyl peroxide, but they never did. Although the FDA responded with an interim response letter, they decided to hold off on a final decision due to ongoing review and analysis of Valisure’s claims.
The cosmetic company sells the The Effaclar Duo under their French company La Roche Posay. The cream sells for $35.99 and according to their website, is “our best spot treatment for acne” that “provides fast and visible results in less than 3 days.”
“In close coordination with the FDA, we have proactively decided to remove the limited remaining units of the current formula of Effaclar Duo from retailers,” L’Oréal told Bloomberg in a statement.
“Currently formulated BPO medications are fundamentally unstable and can generate unacceptably high levels of benzene when handled or stored at higher temperatures that the products may be exposed to during handling by customers,” Valisure’s report reads.
Effaclar Duo contains 5.5% micronized benzoyl peroxide.
Valisure has also found benzene in other acne products, like Proactive, from stores like Target and CVS Health Corp. Aside from acne products, dangerous levels of benezene has been found in sunscreens, antiperspirants, dry shampoos and hand sanitizers.
