By Biljana Markova, Founder & CEO of Clean Rebel
You may have seen the recent headlines: La Roche-Posay's acne treatment was recalled, along with nearly a hundred other products, due to the detection of benzene—a known carcinogen. These products, many of them household names, were formulated with benzoyl peroxide, a common acne treatment ingredient that can degrade into benzene under certain conditions.
As someone who started Clean Rebel out of a desire for revolutionary, safe skincare, news like this hits close to home. Not just because of the recall itself, but because of what it reveals about the broader beauty industry—and why I believe we need to do things differently.
The Hidden Risk in "Accepted" Ingredients
Benzene is a chemical linked to serious health issues like leukemia, bone marrow damage, and immune system suppression. It’s highly toxic—and yet, it continues to show up in personal care products, sometimes as a contaminant, other times as a byproduct of ingredients like benzoyl peroxide. Even more concerning is that small amounts are often considered "acceptable" by regulatory standards.
But from my perspective, no amount of a known carcinogen or any other harmful chemical should be ever acceptable in personal care products —especially when there are perfectly safe, perfectly effective alternatives. Our skin is our largest organ. It absorbs what we put on it, and that has ripple effects throughout the body.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time we’ve seen major brands face recalls for safety concerns. Over the years, similar issues have affected companies like Clinique and Clearasil. These incidents are rarely one-offs—they’re often symptoms of an industry that still relies heavily on synthetic ingredients, some of which carry long-term health risks.
Why Harsh Acne Products Can Backfire
Acne is incredibly common, and frustrating for many who suffer from it. But it’s important to understand that acne often reflects internal imbalances, like hormonal shifts or detoxification issues. Applying harsh chemicals to already inflamed skin can sometimes make matters worse, not better.
Benzoyl peroxide, for instance, can be extremely drying and irritating. Healing skin issue like acne has to be a holistic approach, and one that also involves treating the skin with natural, gentle ingredients that support the skin’s natural healing processes.
Helping people with sensitive, acne-prone skin is one of the reasons I created Clean Rebel.
Our Philosophy: No Compromises With Your Health
Clean Rebel products are 100% natural, organic, and non-toxic. We don’t use any ingredients that are known or even suspected to be harmful. That includes benzoyl peroxide, synthetic preservatives, parabens, phthalates, and more.
We also list every single ingredient clearly—no vague “fragrance” or hard-to-pronounce fillers. Transparency isn’t just a buzzword for us. It’s how we earn your trust.
All of our formulas have received excellent safety ratings, including on the OnSkin app, an independent platform that reviews ingredient safety. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of, and it reflects the care and diligence we put into every product.
A Better Way Forward
Skincare should support your overall well-being, not compromise it. It should help your skin heal—not expose you to ingredients that are harmful in the long run. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to decode product labels or worried about what’s really in your daily routine, you’re not alone. That’s why Clean Rebel exists.
We’re here to take the guesswork out of clean beauty—to offer you safe, effective products you never have to second-guess.
It might take a little longer to create truly clean formulas. And sure, it’s not the easiest path. But it’s the right one.
