Skincare Reviewed Jul 5, 2026

Clearasil Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Cream

Flagged by third-party testing for very high benzene — a lawsuit defendant (not FDA-recalled).

Safety Finding · 2024

Valisure benzene petition (very high reading)

Valisure's 2024 FDA petition reported ~308 ppm benzene in a Clearasil 10% BPO cream under its OWN accelerated high-temperature testing (the FDA limit is 2 ppm) — not an FDA-confirmed or normal-use level. Clearasil was NOT among the FDA's March 2025 recalls. Ongoing concern/litigation.

Source →
Lawsuit · 2024

Benzoyl-peroxide benzene class actions

Clearasil is named in class actions alleging BPO products can form benzene without warning. Ongoing.

Source →

Our take

Why It’s on Our Radar

We don't recommend the high-strength BPO products. Independent testing flagged very high benzene and there is active litigation — though note it was not FDA-recalled.

What's inside

Ingredients & Safety

Benzoyl peroxide (up to 10%), which can degrade into benzene; third-party testing reported an unusually high level.

Worth a closer look — 1 ingredient we flag:

Benzoyl Peroxide 10% — sometimes listed as BPO

An acne active that can chemically break down into benzene, a known carcinogen, especially when stored warm — the basis of the 2024–2025 FDA testing and recalls.

Full Ingredient List

Safe Watch Caution
  • Benzoyl Peroxide 10%
  • Water also listed as Aqua, Purified Water
  • Glycerin also listed as Glycerine, Vegetable Glycerin

Prefer a spotless pick? Three Ships in Skincare is Clean Verified — every ingredient clean, with no recalls or lawsuits on record.

Who owns it

Ownership & Independence

Clearasil is owned by the consumer-goods group Reckitt Benckiser.

Where to buy

Key Products

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