ACTIS LAW GROUP is investigating a Canada-wide class action lawsuit against Clinique (Estée Lauder), Kenvue, Johnson & Johnson, L’Oréal Group, Crown Laboratories, Alchemee/ Taro Pharmaceutical Industries, Reckitt Benkiser, The Mentholatum Company, Wal-mart, Shoppers Drug Mart/ Pharmaprix, and Jean Coutu and others for allegedly manufacturing and selling acne treatment products containing benzoyl peroxide, a known human carcinogen.

The Defendants knew that these products were unsafe for millions of Canadians due to its propensity to degrade into benzene under normal use and handling. Benzene is a dangerous and potent human carcinogen that causes blood cancers including Acute Myelogenous Leukemia (AML), Myelodysplastic Syndrome (MDS), Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia (ALL), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL), Multiple Myeloma, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Aplastic Anemia and other serious health effects.

Benzoyl peroxide is the generic name for a product commonly used in topical creams, cleansers, scrubs, and washes designed for the face and body to manage and treat mild to moderate acne. It is sold by many manufacturers under several different brand names. The drug acts as an antiseptic and helps to reduce skin bacteria, thereby eliminating or treating acne.

Popular acne treatments that contain benzoyl peroxide include:

– Estee Lauder Clinique Acne Solutions All-Over Clearing Treatment
– Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Spot Gel
– Neutrogena Rapid Clear Stubborn Acne Facial Cleanser
– Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment
– Neutrogena Stubborn Acne AM Treatment
– Neutrogena Stubborn Marks PM Treatment
– Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask
– Clean & Clear Persa-Gel
– Clearasil Rapid Rescue Spot Treatment Cream
– RB Health Clearasil Stubborn Acne Control 5 in 1 Spot Treatment Cream
– PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Foaming Wash
– PanOxyl 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Bar
– PanOxyl 4% Benzoyl Peroxide Creamy Acne Wash
– Proactiv Solution® Renewing Cleanser
– Proactiv Solution® Renewing Cleanser
– Proactiv+® Oil Control Duo – 30 day
– Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief
– Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator
– Proactiv Solution® Repairing Treatment
– Proactiv Solution® Repairing Treatment
– Proactiv Emergency Blemish Relief
– Proactiv+® Oil Control
– Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator
– Proactiv+ Pore Targeting Treatment
– Proactiv+ Pore Targeting Treatment
– Proactiv+ Pore Targeting Treatment
– Proactiv+ Skin Smoothing Exfoliator
– Equate Beauty 10% Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment Gel
– Equate Beauty Acne Facial Cleansing Wash
– Equate Beauty Daily Acne Control Cleansing Cream
– La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo Dual Acne Treatment
– Life Benzoyl Peroxide Acne Treatment 5%
– OXY Emergency Acne Vanishing Facial Cleanser with Benzoyl Peroxide
– OXY Deep Pore Acne Vanishing Treatment with Benzoyl Peroxide
– Benzagel 5% Wash

(the “Benzoyl Peroxide Products” – though the list is not exhaustive).

The Benzoyl Peroxide Products are available over-the-counter (OTC) in Canada, at most pharmacies and grocery stores. Most of the Benzoyl Peroxide Products contain 5% benzoyl peroxide, although some contain 10%.

In February 2024, a notice of intent to consult on a risk management strategy for benzene was published in the Canada Gazette.

On March 6, 2024, Valisure, a pioneer in independent quality assurance for pharmaceuticals, issued a press release, detailing its extensive testing and attaching a petition, which showed that benzene, a known human carcinogen, can form at high levels in the Benzoyl Peroxide Products. These face washes and creams were found to have benzene levels 800 times higher than the maximum amount allowed in regulated pharmaceuticals.

Although benzoyl peroxide is generally considered to be a benign chemical compound, research data has suggested that it may act as a tumour promoter. The implications of these findings for human health are not yet clear.

In addition, over a dozen class action lawsuits have been filed in the United States alleging that benzoyl peroxide, when combined with other ingredients and then packaged, sold, and stored under typical environmental conditions, it can break down into benzene, a known carcinogen.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC): Part of the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified benzene as a human carcinogen.

In addition to its association with blood cancers, high levels of benzene exposure can have both immediate and long-term health effects.

Short-term exposure to high levels of benzene can affect the nervous system, causing symptoms such as drowsiness, dizziness, headaches, tremors, confusion, and even loss of consciousness. Ingesting food or liquids contaminated with high levels of benzene can cause vomiting, stomach irritation, dizziness, drowsiness, convulsions, and a rapid heartbeat. In extreme cases, excessive inhalation or ingestion of benzene can be fatal.

Direct contact with benzene, whether in liquid or vapour form, can irritate the skin, eyes, and throat, potentially causing redness and blisters.

Long-term exposure to benzene primarily affects the bone marrow, which is responsible for producing blood cells. This can lead to anemia (a decrease in red blood cells), fatigue, weakness, a lower white blood cell count, which impairs the body’s ability to fight infection, and a lower platelet count, which increases the risk of bruising and bleeding.

In addition, long-term exposure to benzene can affect reproductive health. Some women exposed to high levels of benzene over long periods have reported irregular menstrual cycles and shrinking ovaries, although it is unclear whether benzene is the direct cause. The effects of benzene exposure on male fertility are not well understood.

Actis Law Group believes that action must be taken on behalf of the millions of people who have been unknowingly exposed to dangerous levels of benzene through the use of the Benzoyl Peroxide Products. The lawsuit seeks to represent anyone in Canada who has previously purchased and used the Benzoyl Peroxide Products.

If you or someone you know has purchased and/or used the Benzoyl Peroxide Products and would like more information about potential compensation or to be kept informed of the status of the class action litigation or any resulting compensation, please provide your contact information to our law firm using the form below.