Are acne treatments leaching toxic gas?

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2025-02-13 03:00

Australia; International

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Australian researchers say common acne treatments based on benzoyl peroxide may be releasing a toxic gas called benzene, so they set out to test 111 different acne treatments for levels of the gas. They found benzene levels depended on the processes used to produce the treatments, with formulation at higher temperatures linked to higher levels. Treatments that included antioxidants, which can cancel out benzene production, had the lowest levels. They also found that 'leave-on' products had lower benzene levels than 'rinse-off' products, probably because leave-on products tend to be made in smaller batches and spend less time at hot temperatures.  Overall, the experts found benzene levels were low and did not increase by much over time when products were stored at room temperature.  The highest levels of benzene were detected in a Proactiv product, while the lowest were detected in a Walgreens product, the authors say. The findings suggest benzene levels in acne treatments could be minimised by stricter temperature controls and carefully chosen additives, the authors conclude.