Benzene (carcinogen) in benzoyl peroxide? Should we be worried? | Dermatologist explains

I'm John Barbieri, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and acne expert at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School. In this video we will review some of my initial thoughts on the recent Valisure report finding benzene in benzoyl peroxide containing products.
#acne #benzoylperoxide #benzene #dermatologist #expert
Links to report:
-www.valisure.c...
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Disclaimer: This KZbin Channel does not provide any diagnosis, treatment or medical advice and does not replace a visit to your doctor. The statements are not intended to treat, diagnose, cure or prevent disease. See your doctor for medical advice and treatment. My statements on this channel are for informational purposes only.

[@maliabella]

This is great. I’ve seen a few naturopathic “doctors” use this new study to say that BP is horrible and should not be used for acne 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@DrJohnBarbieri]

I think we definitely need to be thoughtful about how to better stabilize BP and how to store and use safely, but also need to avoid panic based on incomplete data only from extreme conditions.

[@maeveryan7680]

Thank you for your clear, common-sense discussion. A few of the popular YT derms are mocking and completely downplaying any concerns, using terms such as "freaking out" towards anyone who expresses appropriate concerns. Your recommendations for going forward are solid.

[@DrJohnBarbieri]

Thank you for watching! This is clearly an important issue and we need to make sure we have the safest possible manufacture, transport/storage, and use of benzoyl peroxide containing products. While I don't think we are yet at the point where we need to ban or recall products given the limited evidence suggesting a meaningful clinical risk, we should not be ignoring this issue either.

[@traceycrawford9938]

I’m so glad you are asking these questions Dr. It feels like acne and rosacea don’t get a lot attention (or research) because they’re not life-threatening but these conditions truly DO affect our self confidence (and our lives) more than most people realise. 🇦🇺

[@DrJohnBarbieri]

Agree, these are meaningful conditions that are not 'merely cosmetic' - pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38055249/

[@wendy2270]

Thank you. Please keep us updated with your academic and non inflammatory (!) perspective and information.

[@DrJohnBarbieri]

Yes, will plan to update as we learn more!

[@scarlett98773]

Thank you so much for your information and advice. I have suffered with acne my whole life and went on Isotretinoin years ago. Since then I have been keeping the acne at bay by using benzoyl peroxide as it’s in my ‘epiduo forte’ cream, the 0.3% one. I’ve recently switched to trifarotene (prescribed in the UK) to see if my skin is okay without the benzoyl peroxide but if doesn’t work I’ll have switch back. Thanks again I’m glad to have found a sensible take on this study!

[@DrJohnBarbieri]

Glad that you found the video helpful!

[@user-tk3fx6lu5u]

another banger

[@DrJohnBarbieri]

Thanks for watching!