HHP Medication Safety Watch: March 2025
This list contains selected items from the full FDA list of recalls, withdrawals, and alerts for medicines and certain health products. We've provided links to FDA information for each product and its maker. Unless otherwise noted, these actions apply only to the specific brand name of the product listed. Talk to your healthcare provider before stopping or changing any medicines or treatments that they have recommended for you.
Over-the-counter products and medicines
Multiple acne treatments recalled due to possible benzene contamination
- 6 acne products (multiple brands and makers, see below)
Comment: After testing 95 acne treatments, the FDA found that six skin products contained elevated levels of benzene. Following the FDA recommendations, retail stores will voluntarily recall certain lots of these products.
A seventh product (Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel) was recalled by its maker due to the finding of elevated benzene after its own testing.
The recalls from retail stores affect the following products:
- La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment
- Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser
- Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief Cream Benzoyl Peroxide 5%
- Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator
- SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion
- Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream
- Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel
Benzene is a carcinogen (a substance that can cause cancer) and it can be absorbed through the skin. Extensive exposure to benzene, including repeated exposure over time, can cause leukemia, other cancers, and blood disorders.
These products are sold as skin care therapies to prevent or treat acne.
Read additional issues of HHP Medication Safety Watch
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