CeraVe (a subsidiary/brand of L’Oréal USA, Inc.)
CeraVe, La Roche-Posay Face Benzene Lawsuits Over Acne Products
Shoppers who bought CeraVe or La Roche-Posay acne products between 2019 and 2024 may have a stake in lawsuits alleging benzene contamination, PFAS chemicals, and misleading safety claims.
Key facts
- Claim deadline
- No deadline listed
- Potential payment
- Up to $500
- Proof listed
- May be required
- Status
- Upcoming
Plain-language overview
Who may qualify?
Eligibility depends on the dates, products, locations, and other terms listed for this claim. Review any criteria below and the official terms before deciding whether it may apply to you.
- You bought one of the named products. CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Cleanser, CeraVe Acne Foaming Cream Wash, La Roche-Posay Effaclar Duo
- Your purchases occurred within the past four years.
- You used the products regularly, as directed, for personal or household skincare.
- You would have avoided the product, or paid significantly less, had you known about the potential for benzene degradation.
Case overview
What this settlement is about
L'Oréal USA's two flagship skincare brands, CeraVe and La Roche-Posay, are facing roughly six class-action lawsuits alleging their acne treatments can contain benzene, a known human carcinogen. The problem stems from benzoyl peroxide, the active acne-fighting ingredient, which can break down into benzene when exposed to normal heat and storage conditions. Independent lab Valisure found benzene levels of 5 to 12 ppm in CeraVe acne cleansers, as much as six times higher than the FDA's 2 ppm limit. Several of the lawsuits go further, alleging the products also contain PFAS ('forever chemicals') and accusing L'Oréal of deceptive marketing for promoting the line as safe, gentle, and 'developed with dermatologists' while allegedly staying quiet about contamination risks. The first suit, filed in Hawaii in February 2024, focused on La Roche-Posay's Effaclar Duo — the same product L'Oréal voluntarily pulled from U.S. shelves in March 2025. The cases remain active, with pre-trial motions, discovery, and class-certification proceedings currently underway; no settlement has yet been reached.
