Cancer-Causing Chemical Used In Acne Creams
- New research, on acne creams and cleansers, published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID), has found dozens of products have high levels of Benzene, a chemical which has a well-established link to cancer.
- The analysis looked into 111 benzoyl peroxide acne products that are being sold in six states cross the U.S.—California, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, New York, and Texas—ultimately discovering one-third of the products were contaminated with Benzene.
- According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), benzene is a highly flammable, colorless, or light-yellow liquid that can form naturally or be produced by human activities. This chemical is harmful to the eyes, skin, airways, nervous system, and lungs and can cause blood cancers like leukemia and lymphoma.
- While a growing body of medical research shows that chemicals in your environment can slightly increase your risk of cancer, it is unlikely that occasional exposure will do much harm, one SurvivorNet expert says.
The concerning acne-clearing products, including the popular brands Proactive and Clearasil, that were analyzed, now confirm findings from a previous study, Bloomberg reports.
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Researchers involved in the study explain, “The results presented here suggest that a substantial portion of the BPO acne treatment market currently contains unacceptably high levels of benzene in products sitting on the shelf and that stabilization techniques like encapsulation do not appear to prevent the formation of benzene in BPO drug products.
“In addition to elevated temperatures expected during use and transportation, UV exposure at levels expected outdoors is another concerning mechanism for the degradation of BPO drug products into benzene, and one that appears more rapid in the formation of benzene than heat. In the interest of public health, further study and regulatory and industry actions, such as recalls, are warranted.”
Bloomberg reports that the findings found the product Proactiv to have 18-fold the amount of Benzene allowed in U.S. drugs, and a CVS-brand face wash to have 13-fold higher levels which the FDA identifies as safe.
Understanding Benzene
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), benzene is a highly flammable, colorless, or light-yellow liquid that can form naturally or be produced by human activities.
This chemical is harmful to the eyes, skin, airway, nervous system, and lungs, according to the CDC, and can cause blood cancers like lymphoma and leukemia.
Benzene is occasionally released into the air through automobile emissions or burning coal or oil. It also manufactures plastics, rubbers, dyes, detergents, and drugs.
The chemical is a known carcinogen, meaning its link to cancer, particularly blood cancers, has been established. The FDA allows the chemical to be used in drug manufacturing only if the use is unavoidable and the drug product makes a “significant therapeutic advance.”
If the chemical must be used, benzene levels should be limited to 2 ppm (parts per million) “unless otherwise justified,” according to FDA regulations.
WATCH: Are toxins making us sick?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says some known symptoms related to high exposure to benzene may include:
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Headaches
- Irregular heartbeat
Dermatology Times compiled a list of popular products that contain benzene. Some of the products include:
- Proactive
- Clinique
- Clearasil
- PanOxyl
- Neutrogena
- CeraVe
The National Library of Medicine says benzene “damages bone marrow and the central nervous system.” The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) says benzene is “carcinogenic to humans,” meaning it can cause cancer. The chemical has been linked to various types of blood cancers, including:
- Acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) starts in the bone marrow, where white blood cells are made, and it’s more common in children than adults.
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- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) – This type of leukemia is a slow-growing cancer that usually impacts older adults. It starts with white blood cells, or lymphocytes, in the bone marrow.
- Multiple myeloma – a rare type of blood cancer that hinders the body’s ability to fight infections. It can cause weakness, dizziness, bone pain, and confusion, among other symptoms.
- Non-Hodgkin lymphoma – is a type of lymphoma that is more likely to spread randomly and be discovered in different groups of lymph nodes in the body.
WATCH: Lymphomas aren’t one cancer.
Dr. Jay Shah, the Stanford Cancer Center’s cancer care program leader for urologic oncology, previously told SurvivorNet that benzene levels only become an issue if an individual is frequently exposed to a product.
“While a growing body of medical research shows that chemicals in your environment can slightly increase your risk of getting cancer, it’s unlikely that occasional exposure, like getting your nails or your hair done, will do much harm,” Dr. Shah explained.
RELATED: Pimple Cream Pressure: Should Acne Medications With Cancer-Causing Benzene Be Recalled?
The Washington Post previously reported that “several major consumer products companies, including Unilever, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson, have announced recalls” due to elevated benzene levels in recent years.
What Should Be Done If Benzene-containing Products Are Recalled?
If you have any products containing benzene, you can hold off from using them until the FDA decides how to handle the concerns.
If the products are recalled, you can verify the recall by going to Recalls.gov. This website contains information for recalled products, including food, cosmetics, medication, and more.
Additionally, if any person using a products containing benzene believes they have had or are having an adverse reaction, they should contact their physician or a healthcare provider.
Those individuals may also reach out to FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online, by calling to request a form or downloading a pre-addressed form to send via regular mail or by faxing the agency at 1-800-FDA-0178 should they wish to report an adverse reaction or any general quality problems with the recalled products. Individuals can contact the FDA by calling 1-800-332-1088.
Contributing: SurvivorNet Staff
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