Researchers from the University of Texas Medical Branch recently published in The Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology a study on the safety of benzoyl peroxide in acne treatment. The study reinforces the safety of benzoyl peroxide as a standard-of-care treatment for acne by investigating its potential impact on cancer risk.
"With growing concerns about benzene exposure from everyday products, we wanted to provide clear, evidence-based answers on whether benzoyl peroxide as a treatment for acne poses a cancer risk,” said David Garate and Christopher Thang, co-first authors on the study and MD candidates at the UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine. “Our study found no significant association between benzoyl peroxide use and malignancies, providing reassurance to both clinicians and consumers."
The study aimed to evaluate whether the use of benzoyl peroxide in acne patients is associated with an increased risk of developing malignancies, including leukemia and lymphoma. Researchers analyzed population-based data from the TriNetX U.S. Collaborative Network, which encompasses more than 63 healthcare organizations. The study compared acne patients who had been prescribed benzoyl peroxide to a control group without acne or other conditions associated with benzoyl peroxide treatment.
Concerns about benzoyl peroxide stemmed from recent reports suggesting that the compound could degrade under high temperatures into benzene, a known carcinogen, resulting in consumer fears. Some recalls of sunscreens, dry shampoos, and acne treatments have been driven by concerns about benzene contamination.
"Our findings reassure healthcare providers and consumers that benzoyl peroxide remains a safe and effective treatment for acne, with no significant association to cancer risk,” said Garate, underscoring the importance of evidence-based decision-making when evaluating product safety.
“Proper storage practices play an essential role in maintaining the stability of skincare products, as exposure to excessively high temperatures can lead to formulation instability and increase the potential risk of benzene formation,” Thang added.
Garate and Thang’s study sets a strong foundation for future research into benzoyl peroxide safety and emphasizes the need to examine benzene concentrations in real-world prescription and over-the-counter products to better inform both patients and providers.
The study was supervised by senior author Dr. John Barbieri, assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and Director of the Advanced Acne Therapeutics Clinic at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital. Collaborators included Dr. Jenny Lai at Harvard Medical School along with Dr. George Golovko, assistant professor at the UTMB Department Pharmacology and Toxicology, and Dr. Michael G. Wilkerson, professor and chair at the UTMB Department of Dermatology.