What is benzene? What you need to know as popular acne products recalled

Benzoyl peroxide has long been a hero ingredient for those suffering from acne, but its newfound link to benzene, a known cancer-causing chemical, is causing concern 

'Even with daily use, the risk of a person developing cancer because of exposure to benzene found in these products is very low'

Earlier this month, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — the group responsible for protecting US public health by ensuring the safety, efficacy, and security of drugs and biological products — announced that 95 skin care products on the market were to be recalled. The reason? These products may be at risk for something called benzene contamination, meaning they contain at least trace amounts of the carcinogen commonly found in cigarette smoke and petrol.

As benzene is a known degradation product (i.e. a chemical formed when a substance breaks down) of benzoyl peroxide, there has been understandable concern about some of the products on our bathroom shelves. (Benzoyl peroxide has long been a hero ingredient in products targeting acne).