Benzene in Consumer Products: What You Should Know

By Dr. Tahani Williams M.D.

Imagine this: you’re shopping for sunscreen, dry shampoo, or body spray – products meant to protect or refresh your body. But what if those everyday essentials contained a chemical linked to cancer?

That chemical is benzene, and in recent years, it has been detected in a surprising number of personal care and household products. From dry shampoo to acne treatments, benzene contamination has raised serious safety concerns for consumers and regulators alike.

In May 2021, independent testing laboratory Valisure reported that 69 brands of consumer products contained detectable levels of benzene. (1) More recently, in 2024, unsafe levels of benzene were identified in certain anti-acne products containing benzoyl peroxide (BPO) – prompting a formal FDA petition calling for investigation and recalls.

According to DermWorld, the journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) – part of the World Health Organization – classifies benzene as a Group 1 carcinogen, meaning it is known to cause cancer in humans. (2)

Understanding what benzene is, why it’s dangerous, and how to avoid it in skincare and personal care products is more important than ever.

In this guide, we’ll cover:

• What benzene is and why it matters
• How benzene ends up in skincare and personal care products
• Recent recalls and testing results
• Which products are most at risk
• How to shop safer – and why Cleure is a trusted benzene-free choice

What is benzene?

Benzene is a colorless, flammable chemical with a slightly sweet odor. It is widely used in industrial manufacturing and occurs naturally in crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke.

So, what is benzene used for? Benzene is a building block for producing plastics, resins, synthetic fibers, dyes, detergents, lubricants, and pesticides. While its industrial uses are regulated, benzene should not be present in personal care products.

The problem? Benzene is a known human carcinogen. (3) According to the CDC and IARC, benzene exposure has been linked to:

• Leukemia and other blood cancers
• Bone marrow suppression
• Immune system damage
• Hormonal and menstrual irregularities
• Reproductive and developmental harm

Even low-level, repeated exposure can disrupt the body over time – especially for children, pregnant individuals, and those with sensitive skin or compromised immune systems.

Why is benzene found in skincare and personal care products?

If benzene is so dangerous, why does it show up in consumer products at all?

The answer: it isn’t intentionally added. Benzene typically appears due to contamination during manufacturing or ingredient sourcing.

1. Manufacturing Contamination

Cross-contamination from shared equipment
Impurities in raw materials
Residual solvents from packaging or processing

2. Benzoyl Peroxide in Acne Treatments

Recent studies, including a 2024 Journal of Investigative Dermatology (JID) report, found that 34% of benzoyl peroxide products tested contained benzene levels exceeding the FDA’s conditionally restricted limit of 2 parts per million (ppm). (4)

This has raised major concerns about benzene in skincare products, especially acne treatments used daily and left on the skin.

3. Petroleum-Based Ingredients

Ingredients like mineral oil, petrolatum, propane, butane, and isobutane can carry benzene contamination if not properly refined.

4. Aerosol Sprays

Benzene is most commonly detected in spray-based products – including dry shampoos, sunscreens, deodorants, and body sprays – because aerosol propellants are a frequent contamination source.

Learn more about what makes skincare chemical free, and how to make better choices for your skincare routine.

The Recalls That Raised Red Flags

Benzene contamination gained national attention after Valisure’s independent testing revealed widespread issues across major brands. (5)

Key Benzene Recalls

• May 2021 – Sunscreens: Benzene found in 78 sunscreen products from brands like Neutrogena, Banana Boat, CVS, and Aveeno (6)
• November 2021 – Deodorants and Body Sprays: Over 30 aerosol products recalled, including Old Spice and Secret (6)
• March 2022 – Dry Shampoo: Brands such as Batiste, Dove, Nexxus, and Not Your Mother’s issued recalls (6)
• Ongoing Findings: Hand sanitizers, after-sun gels, and foot sprays have also tested positive

These findings highlighted how benzene is found in more products than consumers realize.

What are the health risks of benzene exposure?

The FDA allows up to 2 ppm of benzene only in exceptional circumstances, such as drug shortages – but many recalled products exceeded this limit. (7)

How Exposure Happens

• Inhalation from sprays or fumes
• Skin absorption
• Accidental ingestion (lip products or hand-to-mouth contact)

Short-Term Symptoms of Benzene Exposure

• Headaches
• Dizziness
• Skin and eye irritation

Long-Term Health Effects

• Blood disorders and anemia
• Immune suppression
• Increased leukemia risk
• Reproductive and developmental toxicity

Which products are most at risk?

Products most frequently found contaminated with benzene include:

Product Type	Why Risk Is Higher
Aerosol Sunscreen	Propellants like butane & isobutane
Dry Shampoos	Volatile solvents
Body Sprays & Deoderants	Aerosol delivery system
Hand Sanitizers	Alcohol-based solvents
After-Sun Gels	Chemical stabilizers
Hair Mousses	Pressurized propellants

 

Not all products in these categories are contaminated – but unless a brand does independent testing, there’s no guarantee.

How to Shop Safer for Skincare

Here are simple tips to avoid benzene in your daily care routine:

Avoid aerosols. Opt for creams, sticks, or roll-ons instead of spray formats.

Look for benzene testing. Choose brands that publish independent lab tests or clearly state they are benzene-free.

Skip petroleum-derived ingredients. Avoid ingredients like petroleum, mineral oil, isobutane, propane, and butane unless you're confident in their source and refinement process.

Choose fragrance-free. Fragrance can hide dozens of chemicals, some of which may be contaminated. Fragrance-free products often have fewer unnecessary ingredients.

Use brands with transparent formulas. Stick to companies that disclose all ingredients, including what's not in their products.

Learn how to read an ingredient label so you can shop safer when shopping for skincare.

Why Cleure Is the Safer, Benzene-Free Choice

At Cleure, your safety is never an afterthought – it’s the foundation of everything we do.

Here’s why Cleure is the trusted personal care brand for those who want clean, non-toxic, dermatologist-recommended products:

No Hidden Chemicals. No Benzene. Ever.

Cleure rigorously avoids petroleum-derived ingredients, volatile propellants, and chemical preservatives that could be contaminated. We source only clean, controlled raw materials – and never use aerosols.

Made for Sensitive Skin

Our formulas are crafted with minimal ingredients to avoid irritation. No parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, sulfates, or other common irritants – just pure, effective care for all skin types.

Recommended by Dermatologists

Cleure is trusted and recommended by dermatologists for those with:

• Eczema
• Rosacea
• Psoriasis
• Allergies and chemical sensitivities

Are you a health care professional looking to test Cleure products?

Request Samples

Made in the USA

Unlike many mass-market brands, Cleure products are formulated and manufactured in the U.S. under strict safety standards.

Fragrance-Free. Hypoallergenic. Cruelty-Free.

Our mission is to provide safe, gentle, and science-backed care – without toxins, gimmicks, or greenwashing.

FAQs About Benzene

What products have high levels of benzene?

Aerosol sunscreens, dry shampoos, body sprays, acne treatments with benzoyl peroxide, and some hand sanitizers have tested highest.

What does benzene do to skin?

Benzene can cause irritation, redness, and allergic reactions – and long-term exposure increases cancer risk.

What are symptoms of benzene exposure?

Short-term symptoms include headaches and dizziness; long-term exposure can damage the immune system and blood cells.

Is benzene the same thing as benzoyl peroxide?

No. Benzoyl peroxide is an acne-fighting ingredient, but it can break down into benzene under certain conditions.

Final Thoughts: Don't Compromise on Safety

Benzene has no place in skincare or personal care products. While recalls and investigations continue, choosing transparent, benzene-free brands gives you control today.

Cleure is here to help you care for your skin – without hidden risks.

Shop Cleure’s benzene-free, dermatologist-recommended products today.

 

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References:

1. Environmental Working Group, Cancer-causing benzene found in some popular acne products, Mar. 2024
2. DermWorld, Benzene in consumer products, Apr. 2024
3. CDC - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, CDC - Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Nov. 2024
4. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Evaluation of Benzene Presence and Formation in Benzoyl Peroxide Drug Products, May 2025
5. Valisure, Valisure Detects Benzene in Sunscreen, May 2021
6. US Food & Drug Administration, P&G Issues Voluntary Recall of Specific Old Spice and Secret Aerosol Spray[...], Nov. 2021
7. US Food & Drug Administration, FDA alerts drug manufacturers to the risk of benzene[...], Jul. 2025