# What the FDA Recall Means for Everyday Acne Users
If you use acne treatment products, you may have heard about recent recalls affecting popular brands. In March 2025, the FDA announced that several acne products containing benzoyl peroxide tested positive for benzene contamination. Understanding what this means and how it affects you is important for making informed decisions about your skincare routine.
## What Happened
The FDA tested 95 acne treatment products that contain benzoyl peroxide and found that six of them had elevated levels of benzene. This discovery came after Valisure, an independent testing laboratory, first raised concerns about benzene contamination in these types of products more than a year earlier. The affected products included well-known brands like La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo, Proactiv, Walgreens acne treatments, and SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion.
The good news is that more than 90 percent of the products the FDA tested had undetectable or extremely low levels of benzene, meaning most acne products on the market are safe.
## Why Benzene Matters
Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, which means long-term exposure can increase the risk of leukemia and other blood disorders. The chemical is commonly used to make plastics, resins, lubricants, rubbers, dyes, detergents, drugs, and pesticides. When found in acne products, even in small amounts, it raises health concerns because people apply these products directly to their skin regularly.
## Which Products Were Recalled
The FDA identified six specific products with elevated benzene levels:
La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment (Lot MYX46W, expired April 2025)
Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser (Lot 23 09328, expired September 2025)
Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief Cream Benzoyl Peroxide 5% (Lots V3305A and V3304A, expired October 2025)
Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator (Lot V4204A, expired July 2025)
SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion (Lot 2430600, expired March 2025)
Walgreens Tinted Acne Treatment Cream (Lot 49707430, expired March 2026)
Additionally, Zapzyt Acne Treatment Gel voluntarily recalled its product after finding elevated benzene levels during its own testing.
## What You Should Do
If you own any of these products, check the lot number and expiration date against the list above. If your product matches, stop using it and dispose of it safely. You can contact the manufacturer or your pharmacy for guidance on proper disposal.
If you have been using one of these recalled products and have concerns about your health, consult with your doctor or dermatologist. They can assess your individual situation and recommend next steps.
For acne treatment going forward, you have options. Most benzoyl peroxide products are safe, as the FDA testing showed. You can continue using acne products from brands that were not affected by the recall. Alternatively, you might consider other acne treatment options like salicylic acid products or prescription treatments like isotretinoin for severe cases.
## Moving Forward
The FDA’s action demonstrates that the agency is actively monitoring skincare and acne products for safety issues. This recall should not discourage you from treating acne, but rather reassure you that regulatory oversight exists to protect consumers. When choosing acne products, you can feel confident that the vast majority of benzoyl peroxide products available today are safe to use.
If you have questions about whether a specific product is safe, check the FDA’s official announcements or speak with your pharmacist or dermatologist. They can help you find effective acne treatments that meet your needs without the contamination concerns that prompted these recalls.
## Sources
https://www.aol.com/popular-acne-products-recalled-due-153929010.html
https://www.dermatologytimes.com/view/top-10-articles-of-the-year-2025
https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/drug-alerts-and-statements
