Throughout the last fifteen years there has been much research conducted in
order to determine whether there are any significant long term effect related to
the use of benzoyl peroxide as an acne treatment. Benzoyl peroxide is routinely
used in a number of over the counter acne treatment products and is considered
to be one of the more popular treatment products that can be obtained without a
prescription. Many of the first indications that there may be some side effects
related to long term use of benzoyl peroxide as a treatment for acne were
reported in the early eighties. Prior to 1995, however; even the FDA indicated
that it was safe to use the product without fear or concern. This was in spite
of those early reports that expressed concern this product could potentially
lead to the development of carcinoma; commonly referred to as skin cancer. The
concern over this long term side effect was related to the fact that benzoyl
peroxide was discovered to produce free radicals; which we now know has been
directly linked to cancer.
While the FDA eventually reversed its decision and classified benzoyl peroxide
as ‘safety unknown’ as began insisting that products containing benzoyl peroxide
carry safety warnings, there was still no concrete evidence to point consumers
toward the fact that this product might very well be dangerous. Side effects
that were generally reported for this product included generalized crusting and
blistering of the skin along with some reports that individuals with sensitive
skin might experience a more severe skin allergy when larger doses of benzoyl
peroxide were used to treat acne. In most instances, patients were recommended
to either reduce the dose of the product or space out the doses in an attempt to
alleviate bothersome side effects.
Benzoyl peroxide is known to only be able to control acne when it is used on a
consistent, and even long term, basis. Due to the fact that long term use of
benzoyl peroxide is now theorized to lead to the development of skin cancer;
this causes some grave concerns.
At the current time, research only indicates that benzoyl peroxide has led to
the rapid development of carcinoma in studies conducted on lab mice and in some
instances, hamsters. As a result of these studies, warnings have been issued
stating that consumers should be aware that there is a concern and should take
this into consideration when selecting acne treatment products. Consumers should
note that the FDA has now classified benzoyl peroxide with a safety warning as
‘unknown.’
Science. 1981 Aug 28;213(4511):1023-5. PubMed
Skin tumor-promoting activity of benzoyl peroxide, a widely used free
radical-generating compound.
Slaga TJ, Klein-Szanto AJ, Triplett LL, Yotti LP, Trosko KE
