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Sensitive / Acne-Prone Skin

FDA Finds Benzene in Six Acne Products, Including Effaclar Duo

If you layer benzoyl peroxide under sunscreen, here's a calm rundown of which lots were pulled and why the FDA called the cancer risk very low.

Sunscreen Ranker Editorial Team 2 min read

By the numbers

On March 11, 2025, the FDA announced it had tested 95 benzoyl peroxide acne products and found elevated benzene in six, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser, two Proactiv products, SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion, and Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream, which were voluntarily recalled at retail; over 90 percent of products tested had undetectable or extremely low benzene levels.

Yale School of Medicine commentary and ABC News reporting both stress that the FDA assessed the cancer risk from the detected benzene as very low, and that the action targeted six specific products rather than the entire benzoyl peroxide category.
What the evidence actually says — La Roche-Posay, Proactiv, Walgreens skin care products voluntarily recalled (ABC News)

Questions we get a lot

Was La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo really recalled?

Yes. ABC News reported that La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo was among the products voluntarily recalled at retail after the FDA found elevated benzene. Two Proactiv products, a Walgreens cleanser, an SLMD lotion, and a Walgreens tinted treatment were also named. Check your lot number against the official recall details.

I use benzoyl peroxide under sunscreen. Should I be worried?

The FDA assessed the cancer risk from the benzene levels found as very low, and more than 90 percent of products tested were low or undetectable. If your specific product and lot aren't on the recall list, the agency's findings are reassuring. If they are, stop using that product and follow return guidance.

How worried should I be about the cancer risk?

Yale School of Medicine commentary reinforced that the FDA judged the cancer risk from the benzene found to be very low, even with prolonged use. The recall covered six specific products out of 95 tested, so the issue is narrow. The sensible response is to check your products against the list rather than abandon benzoyl peroxide entirely.

What people keep asking

r/SkincareAddiction: 'I use Effaclar Duo in the morning under my SPF, do I need to stop entirely or just check my lot number?'

Sources & citations

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