At least two states are affected, as the ingredient in question is under increasing scientific scrutiny.
With rates of some cancers rising—particularly among young adults—many experts are looking at environmental exposures as major contributors. Previously demonstrated factors like obesity, diet, and sedentary living can play roles, but harmful ingredients in personal care products, including skincare, are also increasingly under scrutiny. This week the FDA reported that Private Label Skin Care Inc., based in Los Angeles, voluntarily recalled six acne treatment products due to elevated levels of benzene, a known human carcinogen. These products were sold under trusted brand names and reported to have been distributed in California and Georgia.
Benzene is used in industrial production and released into the environment through cigarette smoke, auto emissions, and burning coal or oil. The FDA states that when it appears in skincare, it’s typically the result of contamination during manufacturing. Their experts add: “Long-term exposure to benzene through inhalation, oral intake, and skin absorption may result in cancers such as leukemia and other blood disorders.”
They continue: “The health consequences of benzene exposure depend on the amount, route, and length of time of exposure, as well as age and preexisting medical conditions of the product user.” Although the agency limits benzene in products to 2 parts per million (ppm), previous recalls—including a major recall in March 2025 involving six other skincare products—have reportedly observed levels up to 35 ppm. That incident included notable names in the skincare industry: La Roche-Posay, Proactiv, and select Walgreens brands among them.
The current recall notice didn’t appear to state how high the benzene levels in the acne products were, but on September 24 the incident received a Class II label from the FDA. This denotes “a situation in which use of, or exposure to, a violative product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”
Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine who has previously studied benzene in skincare products, wrote in response to the March incident: “Benzene is in your acne products, it’s in your dry shampoos, it’s in your sunscreens, it’s in second-hand or direct cigarette smoke, it’s in exhaust from cars.” Dr. Bunick added, “It’s all the benzene exposure throughout all of society that adds cumulative risk. And the last place consumers need additional risk is in an acne product.”
So, besides selecting your personal care products carefully, the American Cancer Society suggests you can limit your exposure by avoiding second-hand smoke, not idling in cars, pumping gas carefully to avoid inhalation, and avoiding chemicals that could contain benzene such as solvents and paints—especially in poorly ventilated spaces.
As for the current recall, look out for seven-ounce (7 oz.) bottles of the following six products, which bear lot numbers 58170A and 58172A and expiration dates in September 2025:
Artisan of Skin (Benzoyl Peroxide 10%)
- Manufacturer Location: Beverly Hills, CA 90210
- Recall ID: D-0663-2025
- Units Affected: 125
Skin MD by Dr. Monika Kiripolsky, Body Acne Cleanser (Benzoyl Peroxide 10%)
- Manufacturer Location: Beverly Hills, CA 90211
- Recall ID: D-0664-2025
Torrey Pines Dermatology & Laser Center Benzaderm BPO Cleanser 10%
- Manufacturer Location: La Jolla, California
- Recall ID: D-0665-2025
mel rx Skin, NO DRAMA Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Acne Treatment
- Manufacturer Location: Beverly Hills, CA 90210
- Recall ID: D-0666-2025
University Skin Institute Micronized BPO Gel Cleanser 10% – Pantea MD
- Manufacturer Location: Sacramento, CA 95825
- Recall ID: D-0667-2025
edunn clarity, BP Treatment Cleanser 10%
- Distributor: Uptown Medi Spa
- Manufacturer Location: Phoenix, AZ
- Recall ID: D-0668-2025
If you believe you have purchased these products, discard them and contact the manufacturer or retailer for further guidance. Even if the individual likelihood of serious harm is low, proactive action helps protect long-term health.
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