Rarely, specific acne treatments may cause severe allergic reactions, which can be life-threatening, the Food and Drug Administration warns. According to the FDA, medication containing active ingredients benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid may lead to severe irritation or allergic reactions.

The products the FDA is warning against are sold over the counter and are applied to the skin. Serious allergic reactions vary from less harmful irritations that are included on the product’s Drug Facts labels. Such reactions generally include burning, dryness, redness, itching, peeling, and minimal swelling in the area the product is applied to.

Mona Khurana, MD, medical officer at the FDA, said in a statement, “There is currently no mention of the possibility of these very severe allergic reactions on the product labels.” She continued, “There is currently no mention of the possibility of these very severe allergic reactions on the product labels.”

The FDA recently issued a Drug Safety Communication informing consumers and health care professionals about the potential dangers of these products.

The products of concern include face scrubs, gels, lotions, solutions, face washes, cleansing pads, and toners, and are marketed under brand names such as Aveeno, Clean & Clear, Proactiv, Neutrogena, MaxClarity, Ambi, and Oxy.

According to WebMD, some of the most commonly used forms of medicines that doctors use to treat acne include benzoyl peroxide, including Brevoxyl or Triaz, or salicyclic acid, including Propa pH or Stridex.