Some dermatologists are now recommending people refrigerate benzoyl peroxide products like Proactiv and Clearasil, after an independent lab in the United States found they were contaminated with the potent carcinogen benzene.
The American Acne & Rosacea Society said storing benzoyl peroxide creams, gels and washes at refrigerated temperatures could minimise the risk of benzene exposure, reports TIME.
“Benzoyl peroxide has been a very important part of the treatment of many patients with acne and also some other skin diseases,” according to the group, which has about 6 000 members.
On 4 March, the testing lab Valisure filed a petition with the US Food and Drug Administration asking the agency to recall benzoyl peroxide acne treatments after finding high levels of benzene in the products.
Benzene levels increased when products underwent stability testing, including Proactiv’s 2.5% benzoyl peroxide cream, manufactured by Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, and 10% benzoyl peroxide cream from Reckitt Benckiser’s Clearasil.
The findings came as a surprise, given benzoyl peroxide has been used for five decades, said AARS President James Del Rosso. The group said more research was needed.
The FDA has said it would work to verify the accuracy of the data Valisure presented in its petition.
TIME article – Doctors Urge Refrigerating Acne Creams to Reduce Carcinogen Risk (Open access)
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