Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today: Hot U.S. Inflation, BoC Hike Odds, Loonie Slump (Oct. 15)

  Canadian Money Brief | Thursday, October 15, 2026 A hotter-than-expected U.S. inflation print rattled markets Wednesday, just as Canadians wait on their own CPI and a Bank of Canada decision. Here are the five things that matter to your wallet today. 1. Hot U.S. inflation knocks the TSX down 1.1% U.S. consumer prices rose 3.7% in September from a year earlier (up from 3.4% in August), with a 0.6% monthly jump, the biggest in five months; core inflation rose to 2.6% from 2.4%, per the Labor Department. Gasoline jumped 9.1% in the month. CME FedWatch odds of a Fed hike at the Oct. 27-28 meeting roughly doubled but sit near 50-50. The S&P/TSX Composite fell 399.52 points (-1.11%) to 35,584.46 Wednesday, ending a three-day win streak; basic materials sank 4.33%, and all six big banks finished lower. The Nasdaq lost 1.88%. What it means for you: Higher U.S. rates tend to pull Canadian bond yields up too, and that is what fixed mortgage rates follow. If you have a renewal coming,...

article

Cancer-Causing Chemical Detected in Acne Treatments: Brands Under Scrutiny

 


In a recent alarming discovery, independent U.S. laboratory Valisure has detected high levels of the cancer-causing chemical benzene in certain acne treatments. Brands affected include:

  1. Clinique (Estee Lauder)
  2. Clearasil (Reckitt Benckiser-owned)
  3. Proactiv
  4. Target Corp.'s Up & Up
  5. PanOxyl
  6. Walgreens’ acne soap bar
  7. Walmart’s Equate Beauty acne cream

Benzene, a known carcinogen, was found not only in the acne products themselves but also in the air around incubated products, suggesting a potential inhalation risk. Valisure has filed a petition with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) urging product recalls, investigations, and revised industry guidance. The situation is substantially different from previous cases where benzene impurities came from contaminated ingredients. Here, benzene originates directly from the benzoyl peroxide itself, forming at unacceptably high levels.

Consumers are advised to stay informed as regulatory responses unfold. The FDA’s reaction to Valisure’s petition remains pending. Companies implicated in this issue, including Estee Lauder, have yet to respond to media inquiries.

As we await further developments, it’s crucial to prioritize safety and informed choices when it comes to skincare products. 









Comments