CeraVe Hit With Multiple Lawsuits Over Cancer Risk Claims

L’Oréal, the French beauty giant behind the popular CeraVe skincare brand, is facing a series of class-action lawsuits in the United States over allegations that some of its products contain benzene, a chemical known to be linked to cancer. The legal actions stem from findings by Valisure, an independent laboratory founded by former Yale University students, which reported detecting elevated levels of benzene in certain cosmetic and skincare products containing benzoyl peroxide. A review of CeraVe’s over-the-counter acne treatment products shows that several formulations contain benzoyl peroxide in concentrations ranging from 2.5 per cent to 10 per cent. The ingredient is commonly used in acne medications because of its ability to kill acne-causing bacteria. Among the products listed by the company are Acne Foaming Cream Wash, which contains 10 per cent benzoyl peroxide, and Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, which contains 4 per cent. According to fact-checking platform Snopes, the plaintiffs who filed the initial lawsuits include Jennifer Snow of Hawaii, Holly Grossenbacher of Louisiana, Ellen Painter and Robert Hightower of Missouri, Lucinda O’Dea of Illinois, and Latifah Abednego of New York. The lawsuits accuse the company of selling products that allegedly expose consumers to benzene, a substance classified as a human carcinogen. Court records show that the plaintiffs sought to have the cases consolidated and transferred to a federal court in Hawaii. However, a judicial panel overseeing multidistrict litigation rejected the request on February 7, 2025. The cases were later transferred to the Southern District of New York in May 2025, where they are expected to proceed. As of the time of filing this report, no final ruling has been delivered, and the allegations remain before the court. The development adds to growing scrutiny of products containing benzoyl peroxide after concerns emerged that the ingredient could, under certain conditions, break down and generate benzene. Neither L’Oréal nor CeraVe has been found liable, and the matter remains subject to ongoing legal proceeodings. :::