Health Canada is reviewing a lab study that found a cancer-causing chemical in popular over-the-counter acne products that are currently available to residents across the country.
Last week, independent U.S. laboratory Valisure said it detected high levels of benzene in some skin treatments from brands including Estee Lauder’s Clinique, Clearasil, Proactiv, Equate Beauty and more, according to Reuters.
The carcinogen was also reportedly found in several consumer products, including sunscreens, hand sanitizers and dry shampoo, which led to recalls of products made by companies including Johnson & Johnson.
“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,” Valisure Co-Founder and President David Light said in a statement to Reuters.
Both companies behind Clearasil and Clinique told the news outlet that their products were safe when used and stored as intended.
Equate, owned by Walmart, did not respond to requests for comment.
Health Canada told Now Toronto it is committed to protecting the health and safety of Canadians.
“The department has been made aware of the test results from Valisure, the US laboratory. Health Canada is presently reviewing the findings. Should it be determined that Benzoyl Peroxide-containing products that are currently marketed in Canada are implicated, the department will take immediate and appropriate action to inform Canadians on how to mitigate the risk,” a spokesperson said in an email statement on Tuesday.
“[We] advise that Canadians should continue to follow the directions of use on product labels to support safe use. Health Canada recommends that consumers speak with a health care practitioner such as a doctor or pharmacist in cases where they have any questions or concerns regarding the selection or use of a health product.”
Additionally, benzene is no stranger to Canada too. Back in 1993, the health agency, along with Environment Canada, completed a risk assessment of the chemical and discovered that it met the criteria for toxicity to the environment and to human health under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1988.
Since then, it has been added to a list of toxic substances currently monitored by the health agency.
