The lot number is a short code, often embossed without ink, on the crimped end of a tube, the bottom of a bottle or the end flap of the carton, usually next to the expiration date. Once you have it, compare it with our benzoyl peroxide recall list, which matches lot numbers with or without spaces. Most tubes won’t match: the U.S. recalls announced in March 2025 covered specific lots of seven benzoyl peroxide products, not whole brands. If yours does match, stop using it and ask for a refund. The FDA considers the health risk very low.
How to find the lot number and expiration date
Drug Facts labels on over-the-counter acne products carry a lot (batch) number and an expiration date. They’re usually printed or embossed in small type, and they’re easy to miss.
- Tubes: look at the flat, crimped end. Lot numbers are often embossed into the metal or plastic with no ink, so tilt the tube under a light.
- Bottles and pumps: check the bottom or the back label near the barcode.
- Cartons: check the end flaps or the bottom of the box. If you kept the box, it may be easier to read than the tube.
- What to look for: “LOT”, “L” or “BATCH” before the code, and “EXP” before the date. Some codes include spaces, such as the Walgreens cleanser lot “23 09328”. Type them either way.
Tip: take a photo with your phone and zoom in. It’s often easier than squinting, and you’ll need the photo anyway if you ask for a refund.
If you can’t read the lot number and threw away the box, you can’t confirm either way. Because of the 10- to 12-week replacement advice from the American Academy of Dermatology, the simplest option is often to replace the product.
Which recalls to check it against
On March 11, 2025, the FDA announced the results of benzene testing on 95 acne products that contain benzoyl peroxide. More than 90% had undetectable or extremely low benzene. The makers of six products with elevated levels voluntarily recalled the affected lots, and a seventh maker (Zapzyt) recalled its gel after its own testing. In all, 7 U.S. products were named, from La Roche-Posay, Proactiv, SLMD Skincare, Walgreens and Zapzyt. Health Canada separately recalled specific lots of Proactiv and Proactiv+ products sold in Canada.
We keep every recalled lot, with its expiration date, source and the date we last checked it, in one place so it stays current: the benzoyl peroxide recall list and lot lookup (Canadian lots). Last checked September 23, 2026.
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What a “retail-level” recall means for you
All of the 2025 U.S. benzoyl peroxide recalls were retail-level recalls. That means:
- Stores and online sellers were told to remove the named lots from sale.
- The FDA did not instruct consumers to do anything specific with products already at home, other than throwing away expired ones.
- The FDA said that even with daily use for decades, the risk of a person developing cancer from benzene in these products is very low.
Recall classes can change after an announcement. News reports said the FDA later classified the Proactiv recalls as Class II. In FDA terms, that means exposure may cause temporary or reversible health effects, and the chance of serious harm is remote.
If your lot matches: what to do
- Stop using that tube or bottle. You don’t have to give up benzoyl peroxide. A different product with the same strength lets you keep your routine going.
- Ask for a refund or replacement. Contact the retailer or the brand’s customer service. Give them the product name, lot number and expiration date, plus a photo of the label. News reports said Proactiv’s maker offered refunds or replacements for its recalled lots.
- Dispose of it sensibly. The FDA’s general guidance for medicines without a take-back option is to mix them with something unappealing, such as used coffee grounds or cat litter, seal it in a bag and put it in the household trash. See the FDA’s disposal guidance.
- In Canada, follow Health Canada’s advice for the recalled Proactiv lots: check whether your product is affected, stop using it, and contact a health care professional if you have concerns.
If you’ve already been using a recalled product
It’s natural to worry, but the evidence is reassuring. Besides the FDA’s “very low” risk assessment, studies of people who use benzoyl peroxide have found no link with higher blood benzene levels or higher cancer rates. Our explainer on benzoyl peroxide and benzene covers those studies in detail.
Talk with a doctor or pharmacist if you have ongoing health concerns, or if you want help choosing a different acne treatment.
If your product isn’t on the list
No match means no recall that we know of covers your lot. It doesn’t mean your product was tested and found clean. The FDA hasn’t published product-by-product results for everything it tested, and most products on the market weren’t tested at all. What you can control:
- Keep it cool. Store it as the label says, at room temperature or cooler. A refrigerator is fine. Never leave it in a hot car.
- Replace it regularly. The AAD suggests every 10 to 12 weeks, and throwing out products exposed to heat, for example above 78°F.
- Respect the expiration date. Throw out anything past it.
Wondering whether a gentler or stronger product would suit you better? See our guide to benzoyl peroxide 2.5% vs 5% vs 10%.
How to report a problem
- In the U.S., you can report side effects or product quality problems with any drug, including over-the-counter acne products, to the FDA’s MedWatch program.
- In Canada, Health Canada’s recall notices explain how to report side effects and complaints.
- To us: if you spot a recall we’ve missed or an error in our list, please use our corrections page. We check the tracker at least every quarter and log every correction.