A dire warning from skincare regulators has been issued about potential allergic skin reactions to two common ingredients used in most over-the-counter acne treatments available in chemists.

The skincare regulating body the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an urgent caution to consumers about two ingredients, benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, which are present in most anti-acne treatments commonly available in chemists.

The ingredients are available in many forms of acne treatments from gels, to lotions, washes, cleansing pads, facial scrubs, toners and creams, all aimed at skin prone to acne. Among some of the brands using these ingredients in their anti acne products include Clearasil, Proactiv, Neutrogena, Oxy, Ambi, and Aveeno.

Between 1969 and 2013 the FDA has logged a rising level of allergic reactions to these ingredients.

Yet despite the rising tide of evidence of allergic reaction, the FDA claims that none of the brands using these ingredients in their products warn on their labeling that allergic skin reaction could occur.

The FDA claims that 43% of the allergic reactions to these ingredients that they have logged occurred within 24 hours of the ingredient being applied to the skin.