Studies Find No Link Between Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Products and Cancer Risk

Amid continuing concerns about the risk of cancer from acne cream products, which have been found to emit high levels of the known human carcinogen benzene, the findings of two studies suggest that there is no link between the use of benzoyl peroxide in acne products and cancer rates among users.

In March, the independent testing laboratory Valisure issued a report warning that benzoyl peroxide used in popular products like ProActive, CeraVe, Clinque and other acne creams can form benzene at harmful levels, which may be toxic to users.

The report indicated that the products could emit levels of benzene that are hundreds of times higher than federally allowable limits, resulting in a citizens recall petition, calling for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to suspend sales of all acne products containing benzoyl peroxide.

Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Product Lawsuits

As a result of the Valisure findings, a slew of lawsuits has been filed against the makers of acne products containing benzoyl peroxide, including brands like ProActiv, CeraVe, and Clinique, and a panel of federal judges is scheduled to hear oral arguments later this week to determine whether the claims over benzene cancer risks from acne treatments should all be centralized before one U.S. District Judge as part of a multi-district litigation (MDL).

Benzene is a chemical known to increase the risk of several forms of cancer, including acute myeloid leukemia, acute lymphocytic leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and other conditions like myelofibrosis, myeloid metaplasia, and aplastic anemia.

Exposure to high levels can cause drowsiness, irregular heartbeat, tremors, confusion, headaches, unconsciousness, and can even lead to death, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

No Link To Increased Benzene Levels

In recent weeks, two new studies conducted by researchers at Harvard Medical School were published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, indicating that there is no link between the increased benzene levels in acne products and cancer risks among users. The research, led by Dr. John S. Barbieri, focused on the potential for benzoyl peroxide to decompose into benzene.

The first study, published on June 21, used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) to evaluate blood benzene levels in 14 teens and adults who used benzoyl peroxide products. They were compared to a group of 65-year-olds, who served as the control group who didn’t use products with the chemical in it.

Researchers found detectable levels of benzene in five patients who used benzoyl peroxide products and detectable levels of benzene in 21 patients in the control group who did not use products with benzoyl peroxide.

The average level of benzene among benzoyl peroxide users was 0.04 ng/mL compared to 0.05 ng/mL in the control group. Researchers concluded there was no link between benzoyl peroxide use and detectable levels of benzene in the blood.

Acne Products Did Not Raise Cancer Risks

In the second study, published on July 12, researchers used data from the TriNetX US Collaborative Network of 63 healthcare organizations to evaluate if benzoyl peroxide used to treat acne is linked with higher rates of cancer.

They analyzed data from patients ages 12 to 40 years old who were prescribed benzoyl peroxide. They compared their cancer risk to a control group who had acne but never used benzoyl peroxide. The research focused on the risk of any lymphoma, leukemia, or internal malignancy, and the data found no link to any type of cancer.

The data indicated there was no significant increased risk of getting cancer from benzoyl peroxide use.

“These data are reassuring for those who would like to use benzoyl peroxide for acne or other indications, especially as there are no direct substitutes for benzoyl peroxide in the management of acne,” Barbieri’s team concluded.

Researchers said the findings are important to help patients who want to treat acne without using alternatives like oral antibiotics or isotretinoin, which carry other adverse health risks.

They recommended patients be educated about the proper way to store benzoyl peroxide products, because at temperatures above 99 °F the compound can break down into benzene. The researchers also suggested the products be stored in the refrigerator, and old products past the expiration date should be thrown away.