James Q. Del Rosso, DO, a dermatologist and researcher in Las Vegas, NV, provides an update regarding a recent petition from Valisure asking the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to recall acne products with benzoyl peroxide due to extremely high levels benzene. The independent testing group also published a report in Environmental Health Perspectives warning about benzene in benzoyl peroxide products.
Dr. Del Rosso took a deep dive into the available data to get some clarity on the issue. “This is a degradation issue, but it’s very, very complicated,” he says. “You have to look at the details of what goes on. You have to look at the storage recommendations, but also real-world conditions that may be different than what’s recommended in the product monograph or recommended with the product upon approval.”
There are other factors to consider as well such as how much benzene is getting into the skin, he adds.
“I think it’s very important that the FDA gives us some very good guidance because benzoyl peroxide is a very important product to us in dermatology, and it’s something that many patients use,” he says. “It’s the only thing we have that could mitigate antibiotic resistance in the presence of an antibiotic.”
Until the FDA acts, Dr. Del Rosso urges prudence over panic. “Look at the product that you have and follow the storage requirements.”
Stay tuned for more updates on this important issue.
