L’Oréal withdraws Effaclar Duo acne treatment amid benzene contamination concerns

USA – L’Oréal, a French multinational personal care corporation, has voluntarily removed its Effaclar Duo acne treatment from US shelves after a single product batch was found to contain benzene, a known carcinogen. 

The Effaclar Duo, part of L’Oréal’s La Roche-Posay brand, uses benzoyl peroxide (BPO) to treat acne by eliminating bacteria.

The withdrawal was prompted by Valisure, an independent third-party laboratory, which detected high benzene concentrations in benzoyl peroxide (BPO) products.

According to the research study by Valisure, benzoyl peroxide (BPO) can independently produce benzene. 

Some products show levels 800 times above the FDA safety limit of 20ppm, contrary to the typical cause of manufacturing issues.

Exposure to benzene can lead to dizziness, headaches, a weakened immune system, and an elevated risk of leukemia. 

L’Oréal voluntarily recalled all batches before the FDA’s public notice, despite the FDA issuing a warning and listing affected BPO products, including Effaclar Duo.

Along with the public warning, the association encouraged voluntary retail recalls but did not mandate consumer returns or cessation of product use.

Valisure’s prior findings have triggered numerous significant product recalls over the past four years, spanning sunscreens, antiperspirants, and dry shampoos.

This incident highlights the growing scrutiny over benzene contamination in personal care products.

Meanwhile, the company is set to introduce a reformulated formula developed in 2014 to replace the recalled product.

However, the company’s US stock saw a slight dip of 0.2% following the announcement.

Other companies have recently faced similar challenges concerning benzene contamination.

Walgreens, an American pharmacy store chain, and Proactiv, an American skincare brand, recently voluntarily recalled certain skincare products due to concerns over benzene contamination.

The recalls were initiated after independent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) testing identified elevated benzene levels in some benzoyl peroxide-based acne treatment products.

The affected Walgreens products include Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser and Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream.

The affected  Proactiv products include the Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief Cream and the Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator.

Proactiv’s parent company, Alchemee LLC, is working closely with the FDA and offering refunds or replacements for affected products. 

These incidents emphasize the growing focus on benzene contamination and its potential implications for personal care brands.

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