L’Oréal has issued a voluntary recall of all U.S. lots of its La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment due to potential contamination with benzene, a known carcinogen. This recall follows growing concerns over the presence of benzene in benzoyl peroxide-based acne treatments, especially when exposed to heat or UV light.
Here’s What Happened
Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment is a popular acne treatment under the brand.
Effaclar Duo Acne Treatment, a popular acne treatment under the La Roche-Posay brand, contains benzoyl peroxide, an ingredient commonly used to target breakouts.
However, recent findings suggest that under certain conditions, benzoyl peroxide can degrade into benzene — a chemical classified as a human carcinogen by multiple health agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC).
Benzene is a volatile, colourless liquid that can be released into the air and absorbed through inhalation or skin contact. Long-term exposure has been linked to leukemia and other blood cancers. Given these potential health risks, benzene contamination in personal care products has been a growing area of concern, with previous recalls affecting sunscreens, dry shampoos, and deodorants.
L’Oréal’s recall was initiated after an independent Connecticut-based lab, Valisure, detected alarmingly high levels of benzene in various acne treatments containing benzoyl peroxide. Valisure petitioned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take immediate action regarding these products, urging a recall due to safety concerns.
According to the FDA, La Roche-Posay, along with other companies such as Walgreens and Proactiv, have voluntarily recalled the affected products.
FDA noted that these recalls are happening at the retail level rather than directly affecting consumers. This means that retailers are required to pull these products from their shelves and online platforms, but consumers are not specifically advised to take any action regarding items they already own.
FDA also highlighted that even with long-term daily use of these products, the likelihood of an individual developing cancer from benzene exposure is quite low.
La Roche-Posay’s Response
In a statement provided to Health, a La Roche-Posay spokesperson acknowledged the presence of “trace levels” of benzene in one batch of the Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment.
“Although these trace levels do not pose a safety risk, we are committed to upholding the highest quality standards,” the spokesperson stated. “Therefore, in close coordination with the FDA, we have proactively decided to remove the limited remaining units of the current formula of Effaclar Duo from retailers.”
While the full scope of affected products remains unclear, the recall applies exclusively to the Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment. Other La Roche-Posay products, including the Effaclar Duo cleanser, are not impacted.
The brand also reassured consumers that this decision will facilitate the launch of an updated formula, which has been in development since 2024 and is expected to hit the market soon.
As of now, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Acne Spot Treatment is no longer available for purchase on the brand’s official website in the USA or through major retailers in the USA.
How About in Singapore?
Products from the Effaclar line are available in Singapore but they are different from the recalled product.
A representative from La Roche-Posay Singapore told Daily Vanity that the voluntary withdrawal of the product is exclusively applicable to the United States. They explained, “Our Benzoyl Peroxide (BPO) acne products, as regulated by the FDA, are only sold in the United States.”
The brand added further, “At La Roche-Posay, product safety is our highest priority. According to the ASEAN Cosmetic Directive and the cosmetics regulations of Singapore, Benzoyl Peroxide is not permitted in cosmetic products except for use in artificial nails.”
The brand clarified that none of La Roche-Posay’s products in Singapore contain this ingredient, and the Effaclar product currently sold in the Singapore market is Effaclar Duo+M, a completely different product from the one recalled in the US.
“We do not sell this product in Singapore, and thus this voluntary withdrawal does not affect Singapore,” the representative said.
Should consumers have any enquiries, they can reach out to the La Roche-Posay team by emailing [email protected] or call 1800-838-3388 (available from 10am – 7pm, Mon to Fri, excluding public holidays).
