March 6 (Reuters) – High levels of cancer-causing chemical benzene were detected in some acne treatments from brands including Estee Lauder’s Clinique, Target’s Up & Up and Reckitt Benckiser-owned Clearasil, said independent U.S. laboratory Valisure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Valisure has also filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, calling on the regulator to recall the products, conduct an investigation and revise industry guidance, the New Haven, Connecticut-based lab said on Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Estee Lauder (EL.N), opens new tab<\/u><\/a> shares fell 2%. Benzene was also detected in Proactiv, PanOxyl, Walgreens’ (WBA.O), opens new tab<\/u><\/a> acne soap bar and Walmart’s (WMT.N), opens new tab<\/u><\/a> Equate Beauty acne cream among others, according to Valisure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Benzene could form at “unacceptably high levels” in both prescription and over-the-counter benzoyl peroxide acne treatment products, Valisure said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Reckitt (RKT.L), opens new tab<\/u><\/a> said in a statement the findings “reflect unrealistic scenarios rather than real-world conditions,” adding all Clearasil products were safe “when used and stored as directed on their labels.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Estee Lauder said Clinique uses benzoyl peroxide in one product, which “is safe for use as intended.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n Target (TGT.N), opens new tab<\/u><\/a> and Walmart did not respond to Reuters’ requests for comment. The FDA has not yet responded to Valisure’s petition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The carcinogen has already been found in several consumer products, including sunscreens, hand sanitizers and dry shampoo, leading to recalls of products made by companies including Procter & Gamble<\/u><\/a> (PG.N), opens new tab<\/u><\/a> and Johnson & Johnson<\/u><\/a> (JNJ.N), opens new tab<\/u><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But the detection of benzene in the acne treatment products was “substantially different” from the other cases, Valisure said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n “The benzene we found in sunscreens and other consumer products were impurities that came from contaminated ingredients; however, the benzene in benzoyl peroxide products is coming from the benzoyl peroxide itself,” said Valisure Co-Founder and President David Light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Valisure’s tests showed some products could form more than 800 times the conditionally restricted FDA concentration limit for benzene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bloomberg News had reported the development earlier in the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n