As consumers are increasingly conscientious about what they’re putting on their skin, a lab reported elevated levels of known carcinogen benzene in products from Proactiv, Clearasil, Clinique and CeraVe, amongst others.

Independent laboratory Valisure has found elevated levels of cancer-causing benzene in a variety of pimples treatment products — and filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on March 5.

The petition is looking on the federal government agency to “issue a regulation, revise industry guidance and request a recall and suspend sales of benzoyl peroxide from the US market and take such other actions,” per the filing.

Valisure tested 66 pimples treatment products with benzoyl peroxide by incubating them at 50 degrees Celsius for 18 days, after which tested levels of benzene on the primary, fourth, tenth, 14th and 18th days. 

“The findings presented by an independent lab today reflect unrealistic scenarios fairly than real-world conditions,” said a spokesperson for Clearasil parent company Reckitt. “Reckitt is confident that every one Clearasil products, when used and stored as directed on their labels, are secure.”

In 2022, Valisure had also found benzene in dry shampoos, sparking each headlines and recalls of products from Dove, Nexxus and TRESemmé, leading to class-action suits being brought against product manufacturer Unilever. 

In 2019, the lab reported high levels of one other carcinogen, NDMA, in heartburn drug Zantac; that resulted in a letter from the FDA to Valisure criticizing its testing methods, and a judge threw out lawsuits against Zantac manufacturers.

Benzene has been classified as carcinogenic to humans by the Department of Health and Human Services, and use is restricted to 2 parts per million. Against this, on the 14th day of testing, a Proactiv cream with 2.5 percent benzoyl peroxide tested for nearly 1,800 parts per million of benzene. A Clinique cream with the identical percentage tested for nearly 400 parts per million of the chemical.

“At Clinique, rigorous safety is our highest priority. Benzene just isn’t used as an ingredient in any product across The Estée Lauder Corporations’ brand portfolio,” an organization spokesperson said. “Benzoyl peroxide, an FDA-approved and commonly used ingredient for pimples treatment, just isn’t benzene. Clinique uses benzoyl peroxide in a single product. This product, like all of our products, is secure to be used as intended. No other product in The Estée Lauder Corporations’ portfolio accommodates benzoyl peroxide.”

Spokespeople for the manufacturing firms behind other products, including L’Oréal and Proactiv, didn’t immediately reply to requests for comment Wednesday.

Product safety has turn into a growing concern for consumers. Last yr, hair care brand Olaplex saw sales drop following a lawsuit claiming that those products caused personal injury. Although the suit was eventually dismissed, that business’ sales are still recovering.

“While product efficacy is very important, brand and product perception is usually probably the most powerful in driving consumer purchase decisions. We now have seen quite a few of examples where change in brand perception led to a major decline in sales. For instance, Olaplex and concerns around products leading to hair loss. Despite being disproven by the corporate, sales remain pressured and require significant marketing to rebuild the brand perception,” said Jeffries analyst Ashley Helgans in a note regarding the petition. “As a consequence of the severity of Valisure’s findings, there is important risk to the brands listed within the petition.”

At press time, shares of the Estée Lauder Cos. had slid around 1.2 percent. Shares of L’Oréal were largely flat, posting a 0.8 percent gain.