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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
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.

Plantar warts: Options for treating this common foot condition

Nutritional yeast: Does this savory, vegan seasoning pack a nutritional punch?

Salmonella is sneaky: Watch out

Two jobs may lower the odds of dying from Alzheimer's disease — but why?

Mastitis: What to do when your breasts are painfully inflamed

How — and why — to fit more fiber and fermented food into your meals

UTI in older women: Why postmenopausal women are susceptible to urinary tract infection, and what to do about it

Can a routine vaccine prevent dementia?

Some adults may need a measles booster shot. Who should get one and why?

Less butter, more plant oils, longer life?
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