The carcinogen benzene and how it finds its way to your body
Summer is upon us, and the warm and humid season has left several of us battling with breakouts on our complexion as well as sweat-induced impurities that have found their way to our bodies. As a result of these reactions, we'll probably be likely to reach for remedies that can counteract these unwanted leftovers of summer-build-up.
Benzoyl peroxide is a popular over-the-counter ingredient found in several renowned acne treatments due to its ability to do exactly that; counteract breakouts. However, research within the skincare industry has brought suspicion to the safety of its usage.
The controversy surrounding benzoyl peroxide surfaced after lab reports found that the ingredient can accumulate high levels of the carcinogen (cancer-causing) substance ‘benzene’, which has been linked with leukemia and other types of life-threatening diseases.
The reports also showed that heat can accelerate the conversion of benzene and cause it to evaporate into the surrounding air, causing an inhalation risk. This means that you can risk absorbing the substance if you, for example, store the product in your bathroom while showering or in a hot car. For comparison, acne treatment products containing salicylic acid didn’t appear to have the same reaction, according to the lab.
The conclusion was based on a test of dozens of products containing benzoyl peroxide, which showed that some products with the ingredient could form more than 800 times the ‘conditionally restricted’ US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concentration limit for benzene. Food for thought, right?
What now?
If you’ve been using a product containing benzoyl peroxide for a long time, don’t panic. While the statements are thought-provoking, here’s why there’s no reason for sleepless nights or fear of irreversible damage:
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We’re all exposed to benzene through our day-to-day life due to environmental factors, so benzoyl peroxide products are definitely not isolated instances.
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With the amount of benzene converted from benzoyl peroxide topical products, it would take years for it to cause actual damage.
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It’s worth noting that the reliability of the laboratory that performed the research has been questioned by professionals and consumers alike due to doubts about their motives for conducting the study.
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There hasn’t yet been discovered any links between benzoyl peroxide products and cancer in humans.
So, what should you do from here?
If you ask us, we’d ditch any benzoyl peroxide product and instead choose a product that offers the same benefits but without the health risk. We promise that they’re out there and that they’re just as effective.
When it comes to health, better safe than sorry should be your mantra. If you do, however, wish to continue using your benzoyl peroxide product, consider storing it in a cool place to limit the possibility inhalation.
Alternatives to look for
Opting safe doesn’t mean opting out. Luckily, there’re tons of safe and enriching ingredients that can help counteract recurring impurities, acne, and bumpy skin texture.
We love salicylic acid for this exact reason. Though the ingredient is not recommended during pregnancy or nursing, it has proven effective at decongesting clogged pores to prevent existing and future impurities from forming. Science-backed and health-risk free.
Other exfoliating ingredients like lactic acid and seboclear are on the gentler side and equally good at what they do best: ridding the skin of dead skin cells and build-up while cleansing pores to promote a smooth complexion. These are also suitable for sensitive skin types thanks to their mild yet powerful properties.
Sources:
- Valisure (2024) Valisure Detects Benzene in Benzoyl Peroxide, valisure.com
- Amarelo, M. (2024) Cancer-causing benzene found in some popular acne products, ewg.org
