Popular acne skin care products recalled over potentially cancer-causing chemical

The products are being recalled by the FDA for possible 'benzene contamination.'

By Katie Kindelan, ABC News WLS logo

Friday, March 14, 2025 8:23AM

Acne creams from retailers including Walgreens, La Roche-Posay and Proactiv have been voluntarily recalled due to elevated levels of a potentially cancer-causing agent.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a recall notice Tuesday for several lots of six products,including Walgreens Acne Control Cleanser, Proactiv Skin Smoothing Exfoliator, SLMD Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Lotion and La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Action Acne Treatment.

The FDA said the products are being recalled for"possible benzene contamination."

Benzene is a chemical used often to make a range of products in the U.S. including detergents, dyes and drugs, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Long-term exposure to high levels of benzene in the air can cause leukemia, or cancer of the blood-forming organs, according to the CDC.

In its recall notice, the FDA stressed that the skin care products being voluntarily recalled carry a "very low" risk of causing cancer.

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https://abc7chicago.com/post/la-roche-posay-proactiv-walgreens-skin-care-products-voluntarily-recalled-potentially-cancer-causing-chemical/16018305/