Top 5 Articles of the Month: March

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1. L'Oréal Issues Voluntary Recall of Benzoyl Peroxide Products Over Benzene Concerns

This month, L’Oréal announced it is recalling all lots of its acne treatment Effaclar Duo in the US due to concerns over benzene contamination. The product, sold under the La Roche-Posay brand, contains benzoyl peroxide (BPO).

Valisure, an independent testing laboratory, first reported benzene contamination in several BPO-containing acne products more than a year ago, urging the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action.

2. BREAKING NEWS: Benzene Found in Various Acne Products; Valisure Files Petition With FDA to Recall Treatments

Roughly 1 year ago, high levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene were found in various benzoyl peroxide (BPO) acne products from major brands, including Proactiv, Clinique, Clearasil, and more.

At the time, Valisure LLC, an independent testing laboratory, filed a petition with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), requesting a recall of treatments affected by elevated levels of the carcinogen in order to allow regulators to investigate.

3. Dermatology Conferences and Meetings Calendar: 2025

Dermatology Times has asked our readers to share with us what conferences and meetings they are looking forward to or planning to attend in 2025. Using these responses, we have compiled a list of dermatological meetings taking place this year.

4. Expert Insights Into L'Oréal’s Voluntary Recall of Benzoyl Peroxide Products

With L’Oréal announcing it is recalling all lots of its acne treatment Effaclar Duo in the US due to concerns over benzene contamination. The product, sold under the La Roche-Posay brand, contains benzoyl peroxide (BPO).

Christopher Bunick, MD, PhD, associate professor of dermatology and physician-scientist at Yale School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut, and editor in chief of Dermatology Times, discussed the news just announced live at the 2025 American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting

Bunick’s key message to clinicians is that recalls stem from findings that benzoyl peroxide can degrade into benzene, a known carcinogen. While the full extent of health risks remains unclear and no direct causative link has been established, the recalls highlight a need for greater formulation stability in benzoyl peroxide products.

5. Patients with DIMIDs and Pandemic Risks

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly affected patients with immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (DIMIDs), including atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, and vitiligo. The fear of morbidity, mortality, and vaccine hesitancy contributed to disruptions in their daily lives. Patients with immunodeficiency diseases, older individuals, males, and those of non-White ethnicity were at an increased risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. Interestingly, vaccination, a healthy diet, and atopic conditions were considered protective factors against COVID-19. A recent prospective observational, multicenter, multidisciplinary cohort substudy explored the impact of COVID-19 disease and vaccination on DIMIDs, specifically AD, psoriasis, and vitiligo.