Are your skincare products putting your health at risk with benzene by-products? Dermatologist Dr Joyce Lim explains the hidden danger, and how to keep your acne treatments safe.
Is your skin particularly inclined towards acne breakouts?
Then whether you know it or not, benzoyl peroxide is likely a staple in your skincare routine.
From cleansers to creams, this substance is a star ingredient packaged into pimple products.
However, a 2024 study revealed that this anti-acne celebrity does more than kill the bacteria that contributes to our blemishes—it can produce a carcinogenic substance known as benzene.
The study, which was released by US laboratory Valisure, tested numerous prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide products, including those from big-name companies such as Clinique, Clearasil, and Proactiv—just to find that their formulations were “fundamentally unstable and can generate unacceptably high levels of benzene”.
As to how high the benzene levels were?
“Over 800 times the conditionally restricted FDA concentration limit of 2 parts per million (ppm),” stressed a Valisure report.
So what does this mean? Have we put ourselves in danger just by rubbing these products onto our face? Should we be avoiding them like the potential cancer risk they are? But then what do we replace these products with to resolve our skin issues?
We delve into this matter with Dr Joyce Lim, a Consultant Dermatologist at SOG Health, to better understand the probability of benzoyl peroxide products being hazardous to our health—and whether we need to perform a declutter on our dressing table.
How Did Benzene Even Get Into Our Skincare – And What’s the Danger Level?
Let’s start off by establishing that the problem with benzoyl peroxide isn’t necessarily the ingredient itself. In fact, according to Dr Joyce, it’s still “a common non-prescription medication given for patients with acne.”
And that’s because it’s a highly effective treatment.
It targets bacteria lying beneath the skin, helping to unclog pores, clear away dead skin cells, and reduce inflammation—all of which serve as a great boon when it comes to managing our pimples.
“It is also often used with other acne preparations as it helps to prevent bacterial resistance to antibiotics,” she adds.
The real problem, however, is it’s potential to turn into the carcinogen.
“Benzene is not an ingredient in acne products,” Dr Joyce assures, “but it can form as a byproduct under certain conditions.”
A variety of factors can trigger the deterioration of benzoyl peroxide into benzene, including heat, humidity, and long-term storage, especially if the product was poorly sealed.
“This risk is higher when products are exposed to extreme environments, such as being stored on a kitchen cabinet that is warm, or bathroom cabinets that are humid,” she emphasises. “Without climate control, the degradation of benzoyl peroxide to benzene may be more pronounced.”
The concern lies not in short-term topical use, but in prolonged, repeated exposure. Excessive exposure to benzene has been linked to the development of certain cancers, such as leukaemia and other blood disorders.
“It is a cumulative risk, which is why monitoring product stability and safety is of utmost importance for these companies.”
How to Use Benzoyl Peroxide Safely
If you are reluctant to give up on this powerhouse ingredient, then the key to preventing your acne products from becoming malignant is simple: proper storage.
It is important that we keep them in a cool, dry place, ideally below 25°C.
“That’s not always easy in tropical climates like Singapore,” says Dr Joyce, “so I usually tell patients to store the product in the refrigerator, and discard it after 3 months.”
That might seem like a waste if you can’t fully consume the product within that timeframe, but better to be safe than sorry.
Another tip: use the lowest effective concentration of benzoyl peroxide.
“I usually start patients on the lowest effective concentration, often 2.5% or 5%, depending on their skin sensitivity. Higher strengths aren’t necessarily more effective and can increase the risk of dryness and irritation,” she explains.
When it comes to benzoyl peroxide, consistency is more important than potency.
Looking at Substitutes to Benzoyl Peroxide
If you’re still concerned about the possibility of benzene formation, then you’ll be glad to know that there are plenty of alternatives out there that can be just as good for treating acne, but without the carcinogenic risk.
One option that Dr Joyce considers especially notable is retinol, because it doesn’t just combat acne, it’s also comedolytic.
“It breaks up whiteheads and blackheads, which none of the other acne products can do. Retinoids are also used for maintenance treatment as we know that acne will come out on and off. Some retinoids can improve acne scars and also the post-acne pigmentation.”
It also has the added advantage of boosting collagen production, so you can extend your youthful appearance.
Alpha hydroxyl acids (AHAs) and beta hydroxyl acids (BHAs), such as glycolic acid and salicylic acid, are also great choices due to their anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, and their ability to promote skin renewal.
Ultimately, whether or not you decide to retain your loyalty to benzoyl peroxide is completely up to you. What’s important is that as a consumer, you are aware of the process by which this ingredient can degrade into something toxic, and are willing to take action in either safeguarding against this degradation, or exploring other options.
Making informed choices is what will keep you on the path to clear, healthy skin, without compromising your wellbeing in the long-run.
Concerned about the state of yor skin?
Medical Channel Asia has launched a community forum page where you can get questions answered by a medical specialist. Why not ask them at our community forum here.
External References
- Cherney, K. (2019, July 12). How to Treat Acne with Benzoyl Peroxide. Healthline. Retrieved from: https://www.healthline.com/health/benzoyl-peroxide-for-acne
- Khoo, B. K. (2024, November 9). Are pimple creams safe to use? What we know about the potentially cancer-causing ingredient found in some. CNA. Retrieved from: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/wellness/pimple-cream-acne-benzoyl-preoxide-benzene-413191
- Kucera, K., Zenzola, N., Hudspeth, A., Dubnicka, M., Hinz, W., Bunick, C. G., Dabestani, A., & Light, D. Y. (2024). Benzoyl Peroxide Drug Products Form Benzene. Environmental Health Perspectives, 132(3), 37702. Retrieved from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10939128/
- National Cancer Institute. (2024, August 6). Benzene. Retrieved from: https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/substances/benzene
- Reuters. (2024, March 7). Cancer-causing chemical found in Clinique, Clearasil acne treatments, US lab reports. Retrieved from: https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/cancer-causing-chemical-found-some-acne-treatments-us-lab-reports-2024-03-06/
- Valisure. (2024, March 6). Valisure Discovers Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Products Are Unstable And Form Benzene. Retrieved from: https://www.valisure.com/valisure-newsroom/valisure-detects-benzene-in-benzoyl-peroxide
