What Every Parent NEEDS to Know About Benzoyl Peroxide

As the owner of a small natural body care products company, I was doing market research online at ask.yahoo.com. A large number of the people making posts were very excited about the results they were getting from products containing benzoyl peroxide. Although my products are all natural, I decided that since the results were so incredible, I might consider adding benzoyl peroxide to a more powerful acne-control soap and scrub. I started doing research on risks as compared to benefits relating to the use of benzoyl peroxide. What I found was very alarming.

I found that scientists use benzoyl peroxide to promote skin cancer in laboratory animals such as mice, hamsters and rats. The study excerpts are listed below. While I agree that humans are not mice, hamsters or rats, the skin cancer treatments developed from these creatures are used as skin cancer treatments for humans. Would it be logical to assume that since human skin reacts the same to the treatments developed from these creatures, human skin also reacts the same to the cause?

Benzoyl peroxide is a strong chemical which has been used effectively to fight and control acne for over 30 years. Previously sold only under the advice of a medical practitioner, benzoyl peroxide has been available on store shelves for many years.

It works by inducing a chemical burn similar to unprotected sun exposure - the same effects as a sunburn. The entire top layers of skin are chemically stripped away. These are the layers that protect skin from sun exposure, bacteria, moisture loss and dermal chemical absorption.

Product manufacturers claim there is only a minimal increase in risk of developing skin cancer as a result of using products containing benzoyl peroxide. These companies believe that the positive self-image of the pimple-free child is more beneficial than the increased risk of cancer caused by benzoyl peroxide. I believe that many mothers would strongly disagree. Studies done by independent researchers and our government agencies claim that there is an astronomical increase in risk of developing skin cancer as a result of using products containing benzoyl peroxide.

Cosmetic companies test for safety based on use of ONLY their product ONLY as directed. The reality is, our teens are slopping on MULTIPLE products containing benzoyl peroxide a LOT more often than indicated on the label. The children are also using benzoyl peroxide with other chemical solutions that are SPECIFICALLY labeled by the FDA NOT to use in conjunction with benzoyl peroxide.

The following study excerpts seem to show that there is definitely an increase in skin cancer risk when using products containing benzoyl peroxide (Inorganic peroxide): links to all studies are available by simply clicking on the study title. I put them there so you can click right to the study. Don't take my word for it, read the excerpts yourself, right from the source.

BenzaClin Topical Gel Safety Information
"Benzoyl peroxide has been shown to be a tumor promoter and progression agent in a number of animal studies. The clinical significance of this is unknown." "Benzoyl peroxide in acetone at doses of 5 and 10 mg administered twice per week induced skin tumors in transgenic Tg.AC mice in a study using 20 weeks of topical treatment."

Free radical generating agents lead to the rapid progression of benign skin tumors to carcinoma in iron-overloaded mice.
"Inorganic peroxide (H(2)O(2))-mediated malignant transformation was also enhanced effectively by iron."

Benzoyl peroxide promotes the formation of melanotic tumors in the skin of 7,12-dimethylbenz
"Therefore, in addition to its known ability to promote papilloma and carcinoma formation in the back skin of mice, benzoyl peroxide is also able to promote the formation of melanotic tumors in the dermis of hamsters."

The function of benzoyl peroxide in the induction of Syrian golden hamster tongue carcinoma by chemical carcinogen
"CONCLUSION: This study indicated that benzoyl peroxide could increase carcinogenesis of golden hamster tongue which induced by DMBA. Consideration of promoting agent should be taken in carcinogenesis as well as carcinogen."

The treatment of skin carcinoma, induced by UV B radiation, using 1-oxo-5beta, 6beta-epoxy-witha-2-enolide, isolated from the roots of Withania somnifera, in a rat model.
"...followed by topical treatment with benzoyl peroxide, a tumor promoter (20 mg/animal/0.2 ml acetone) twice a week for 1 month..."

A search in PubMed, an online directory of medical studies throughout the medical community, shows over 113 studies relating to benzoyl peroxide and skin cancer. Over 2/3 of these show a causative association between benzoyl peroxide and skin cancer.

While the FDA drags their feet with statements such as, "the clinical significance of this is unknown", our kids are still using it. And they're using a LOT of it. Statistically, half of us are going to have to deal with skin cancer at some point in our lives. When you or your child use products containing benzoyl peroxide, you might be putting out a red carpet for cancer to develop on your face or the face of your child. In my opinion, the increased skin cancer risk is far worse than a few pimples.