A recall has been issued for tens of thousands of beauty creams over fears that they are laced with a cancer-causing chemical.

Proactiv, which states on its website that it has more than 20 million customers worldwide, has recalled lots of its Emergency Blemish Relief cream and Skin Smoothing Exfoliator.

The creams were found to contain benzene, a known carcinogen linked to leukemia and blood cancers.

The risk level of the recall has been classified as a ‘Class II’, meaning ‘it may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences.’

The recall applies to 38,237 bottles of Proactiv’s Emergency Blemish Relief cream in the 0.33oz format, with the lot numbers V3304A and V3305A, and an expiry date of 31 October 2025.

Meanwhile, 3,500 bottles (6fl oz in size) of the Skin Smoothing Exfoliator have been impacted, with products identifiable by the lot number V4204A and 31 July 2025 expiry date.