Benzene found in acne medications

Concerns about benzene in personal care products are back, this time in acne medications based on benzoyl peroxide. Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans. The independent analytical lab Valisure filed a petition last week asking the US Food and Drug Administration to recall and suspend sales of all benzoyl peroxide products. David Light, the firm's cofounder and president, says his team found that the ingredient decomposes to benzene in consumer product formulas. Valisure has found benzene in multiple consumer products in recent years, including hand sanitizer, sunscreen , dry shampoo , and aerosol antifungal medication . But in those cases the benzene seems to have been a contaminant in the raw materials, and the findings were limited to certain batches and brands. In acne products, Light says, the primary active ingredient breaks down into benzene under conditions that products might encounter in transport and in the home. Valisure