L'Oréal, the owner of CeraVe, is defending consolidated class action lawsuits in the United States over benzene – a known carcinogen. The cases concern two acne products containing benzoyl peroxide, not the ceramide moisturizers and cleansers the brand is best known for. Here is what is being claimed, and what independent testing shows.
What the lawsuits are about
In March 2024, the independent laboratory Valisure reported to the US FDA that acne products based on benzoyl peroxide (BPO) can form benzene as the active ingredient breaks down – not from a contaminated raw material, but from the degradation of BPO itself. A peer-reviewed study in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (October 2024) then tested 111 BPO products and found benzene above the FDA's limit of 2 ppm in about a third of them, with the highest readings around 35 ppm.
By 2026, six class actions have been consolidated against L'Oréal in federal court in New York. The cases are ongoing – nothing has been proven in court, and no CeraVe product has been recalled.
Only two products are named
| Product | Benzoyl peroxide | Part of the lawsuits? |
|---|---|---|
| CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser | 4% | Yes |
| CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash | 10% | Yes |
| Moisturizing Cream, Hydrating Cleanser and other ceramide products | 0% – no BPO | No |
The whole issue is tied to one active ingredient. A product without benzoyl peroxide has no way to form benzene like this – CeraVe's regular creams, cleansers and serums are not part of the cases.
How an acne ingredient becomes benzene
Benzoyl peroxide is a well-documented acne treatment, but the molecule contains two benzene rings held together by an unstable bond. As it degrades – faster with heat and age – it can break down into benzene. Valisure's testing showed the pattern clearly: products stored warm formed far more benzene, while fresh, cool-stored products generally tested low.
What the FDA's own testing found
In March 2025, the FDA tested 95 benzoyl peroxide products. More than 90% had undetectable or extremely low benzene levels. Six products were recalled from store shelves over elevated levels – from La Roche-Posay, Proactiv and Walgreens – but no CeraVe product was among them. The FDA also noted that even with daily use for decades, the estimated additional cancer risk is very low.
Why this looks different in Europe
In the EU, benzoyl peroxide is not used in cosmetics at all – acne treatment with BPO is regulated as medicine (in Sweden, Basiron AC). The CeraVe products sold as cosmetics in Europe contain no benzoyl peroxide, so the mechanism at the heart of the US cases does not apply to them. For the full background on how the EU handles carcinogens in cosmetics, see our guide to carcinogenic substances in skincare.
What to do in practice
- Store BPO products cool – never in a hot car or direct sun. Benzene formation is driven by temperature.
- Respect the expiry date. An old tube is a worse bet than a fresh one.
- Keep your ceramide products. No benzoyl peroxide means no benzene pathway.
- Talk to your prescriber before stopping an acne treatment. Dermatologists still recommend benzoyl peroxide, stored and used sensibly.
Check your products with Skinimalist. Scan the label or share a link – and see official hazard classifications, banned substances and contamination routes at a glance.
Sources: FDA statement on benzene testing of acne products (March 2025); Valisure citizen petition to the FDA (March 2024); Kucera et al., Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2024); consolidated class action filings, US District Court, Southern District of New York; ECHA CLP harmonised classifications; EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009, Annex II. This guide reflects the state of the litigation and science as of July 2026 and is decision support, not medical or legal advice.