Popular acne remedies can be dangerous

One of the most common ingredients in cosmetics for problem skin with acne is benzoyl peroxide. It suppresses the growth of pathogenic bacteria, reduces inflammation, and regulates sebum secretion. The independent testing laboratory, Valisure, conducted an analysis of 66 acne remedies containing benzoyl peroxide, which are the most bought in the United States.

By the results of the tests, it turned out that along with benzoyl peroxide, most remedies contained a potential carcinogen, benzene, with its concentration on average 9 times higher than the safe level.

This concerned primarily the products exposed to high temperatures. The laboratory has submitted a petition to the official supervisory authority – US Food & Drug Administration – to recall for further research remedies containing benzoyl peroxide.