By The Financial District
Mar 81 min
Recent findings by the independent US laboratory Valisure have raised concerns about the presence of high levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene in certain acne treatment products.
Brands such as Estee Lauder's Clinique, Target's Up & Up, and Reckitt Benckiser-owned Clearasil were among those identified with benzene contamination.
Deborah Sophia reported for Reuters, that brands such as Estee Lauder's Clinique, Target's Up & Up, and Reckitt Benckiser-owned Clearasil were among those identified with benzene contamination.
Valisure has taken proactive steps by filing a petition with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging the agency to recall the affected products, conduct a thorough investigation, and update industry guidance to prevent future occurrences.
The New Haven, Connecticut-based lab emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue to safeguard public health. In response to these findings, shares of Estee Lauder experienced a 2% decline.
Additionally, benzene contamination was detected in other popular acne treatment brands, including Proactiv, PanOxyl, Walgreens' acne soap bar, and Walmart's Equate Beauty acne cream.
Valisure warned that benzene could form at "unacceptably high levels" in both prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products, underscoring the need for immediate action to mitigate health risks associated with these products.