Carcinogen found in La Roche-Posay cream

French company L’Oréal is recalling its popular acne cream Effaclar Duo after benzene, a substance capable of causing leukaemia and other cancers, was detected in its composition. Traces of the hazardous compound have also been found in cosmetics from other brands.

Emergency product recall

L’Oréal SA has officially announced the recall of all batches of Effaclar Duo cream sold in the US under the La Roche-Posay brand. The reason for the recall is the detection of traces of benzene, a chemical compound with carcinogenic effects.

This move is a response to the findings of independent laboratory Valisure (Connecticut, US), which in 2024 detected benzene contamination in a number of popular products containing benzoyl peroxide. Scientists called on the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the sale of such products, but the agency has not yet announced any additional measures.

Which brands are at risk?

In addition to Effaclar Duo, traces of benzene were found in other cosmetic products containing benzoyl peroxide, including Clinique, Proactiv, Clearasil and Taro. However, their concentration was lower than in L’Oréal’s products.

The company stated that it is already cooperating with the FDA and is developing a new, safer formula for the cream. The updated product is expected to hit the shelves in the near future.

Why is benzene dangerous?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), benzene is a volatile organic compound found in petroleum products and tobacco smoke. Under certain conditions, it can also form in cosmetic products.

Prolonged exposure of the body to benzene can lead to serious consequences:

• Increased risk of leukaemia and other blood disorders.
• Suppression of bone marrow function, leading to a decrease in red and white blood cell levels.
• Dizziness, fatigue, and disturbances of consciousness.
• Respiratory tract irritation, causing coughing and pneumonia.
• Potential impact on reproductive health.

The problem is bigger than it seems

This is not the first case of benzene being detected in cosmetic products. The Valisure laboratory previously found this substance in sunscreen creams, antiperspirants, dry shampoos and hand sanitizers. As a result of a series of investigations, some of these items were removed from sale.