Six popular beauty creams are recalled because of the fears that they can be peppered with a carcinogenic chemical.
The FDA issued the order for the creams made by L'Oreal and Walgreens after testing, showed that they contain raised levels of benzene, a well -known carcinogen.
Hundreds of creams that are usually sold for the treatment of acne are removed from shopping shelves and online retail websites.
But the FDA has said that consumers do not have to bring them back to sellers and say that there is a 'very low' risk that they will cause cancer.
Benzene is a 'class 1 solosy', a carcinogen with 'unknown toxicity' that is linked to various forms of cancer, including leukemia and other blood conditions.
The recall comes after another L'Oreal acne treatment and moisturizer Effaclar Duo were removed from the shelves earlier this week due to benzene levels.
The FDA has ordered a recall for six acne creams made by brands such as L'Oreal and Walgreens because of the fears they could contain benzene
Shown above is one of the creams included in the recall
The FDA mentioned 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 smooth exfoliator; SLMD benzoyl peroxide acne lotion; Walgreens tinted acne treatment cream.
The creams all have a sales date between March 2025 and March 2026.
A total of 95 creams were tested by the FDA, of which only six increased levels of benzene contain.
The rest had no detectable levels of the fabric or track quantities.
Certain acne products contain benzoyl peroxide, which helps to kill bacteria when applied to the face.
Bacteria on the skin can cause acne by activating inflammation or increasing the build -up of oils.
In some cases, however, benzoyl peroxide can break down in benzene.
In its notification, the FDA said: 'It is important to note that the recall promotions are being carried out at stores, not at the consumer level.
'This means that retailers are instructed to remove products from shopping shelves and online market places, but not specifically instruct consumers to take action with regard to products currently in their possession.
“Even with daily use of these products for decades, the risk that a person developing cancer due to exposure to benzene found in these products is very low.”
Benzoyl peroxide is used in numerous acne treatments, including facial crops and creams that are available through a doctor's recipe or freely available.
Usually it is in a gel that aims to reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin surface that causes acne.
When Benzoyl peroxide is exposed to heat, it goes under a chemical change, which changes into benzene.
Benzene is considered a 'class 1 solo product' that 'should not be used in the production of drug substances, excipients and drug products because of their unacceptable toxicity, “the FDA said.
Inhalation or absorbing the chemical in the skin for a long period can have negative health effects because it causes cells in the body to work incorrectly.
Excessive exposure to benzene can also influence the body's ability to produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia, as well as blood cancer such as leukemia.
It can also cause damage to the immune system by changing the blood mirrors of antibodies and killing white blood cells.
Inhalation of a high concentration of benzene in the short term can cause countless side effects, such as dizziness, headache and even an irregular heartbeat.
The recall comes only one year after the Lab-Valisure Lab-Valisure established in California revealed that the 'unacceptably high levels' had detected benzene in various freely available and recipe acne treatments that use the ingredient benzoyl peroxide.
Affected products from that testing include different acne creams from Clinique, Clearasil, Target's Up & Up and Walmart's Equate Beauty Acne treatment.
About 40 to 50 million Americans suffer from acne, a common skin condition that causes pimples, blackheads, whiteheads and cysts on the skin.
