Check your dry shampoo: Many contain cancer-causing agent, study shows (2023)

FAQs

Do many dry shampoos contain cancer-causing agent study shows? ›

Nexxus Inergy Foam Shampoo. Suave Dry Shampoo Hair Refresher. Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Refresh and Revive. Tresemmé Dry Shampoo Volumizing.

The recall included 19 different brands of dry shampoo, including many popular products such as Dove Dry Shampoo Volume and Fullness, Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh Coconut, Nexxus Dry Shampoo Refreshing Mist, Suave Dry Shampoo Hair Refresher, Tresemme Dry Shampoo Volumizing, Bed Head Oh Bee Hive Dry Shampoo and many others.

High levels of benzene, a cancer-causing chemical, have been detected in more brands and batches of dry shampoo products, according to a new report from Valisure, an independent laboratory.

Valisure just finished a study on popular dry shampoo brands and found 70% of dry shampoo samples tested had benzene in them. Frequently inhaling benzene at levels of 0.4 parts per billion over time could cause cancer per 100,000 people, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

Bottom line: While dry shampoo is helpful and safe to use, it shouldn't become part of your daily hair-care routine or replace your actual shampoo. "You must wash your hair with water and a hydrating shampoo and conditioner at least once to twice weekly to maintain normal scalp health," says Gaunitz.

Last year was a tough one for dry shampoo lovers. We learned that an independent lab found top brands were contaminated with benzene, a potent carcinogen. Some brands like Pantene and Dove have already been recalled because of benzene.

Do all dry shampoos have benzene? ›

Does Dry Shampoo Contain Benzene? Yes, a 2022 study conducted by Valisure found that 70 percent of those dry shampoos that were tested by the company contained benzene. The study analyzed 148 unique batches of dry shampoo from 34 different brands, which is a significant portion of the market.

The report comes after certain aerosol dry shampoos, including some Dove, Nexxus, Suave, Tigi and Tresemme products, were voluntarily recalled last month due to the potential presence of benzene.

Dry shampoo may also leave residue on your scalp. Without regular shampooing with water, that residue will build up. If you don't clean your scalp and use only dry shampoo, you can get rashes and inflammation there. You can also get dandruff if you use dry shampoo too often without properly washing your scalp.

The propellant used in dry shampoo usually consists of butane, isobutane, and propane, which makes up 70–90% of the total composition. Dry shampoos often contain anionic surfactants that do not dissolve in water.

Generally, dry shampoo sprays don't last as long as their powder cousins. Another downside is the list of ingredients we mentioned above, which does make some people cautious of the spray option.

Here's the first thing to know: “People with color-treated hair should always be cautious of drying out their hair. A dry shampoo with a low alcohol content is always safest,” Scarlett says.

Out of all the shampoo ingredients that are harmful, formaldehyde may be the scariest. Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen and has been proven to be absorbed through the skin in animal testing. Manufacturers often add it directly as a preservative.

Use baby shampoo or other mild shampoo (such as Aveeno® or Vanicream™). You should also use a cream rinse or hair conditioner. Use shampoos and conditioners that have sunscreen to prevent sun damage to your scalp. Always rinse your hair well and pat it dry with a soft towel.

All Suave formulas are safe to use and meet the highest global standards in safety and quality.

How many days in a row can you use dry shampoo? ›

How often should you use dry shampoo? To keep dry shampoo from damaging your hair and scalp, doctors recommend you use it no more than 2 days in a row.

As dry shampoo builds up on the scalp it can prevent nutrients from being able to reach the hair follicle. Reavey says overusing the product can result in inflammation of the scalp and blockage of the follicles. "Over time, this can weaken the follicle, causing increased shedding and hair thinning," she says.

Gohara and Jones both recommend using dry shampoo no more than two days in a row. "My general rule of thumb is two times a week max for any leave-in product that doesn't involve washing the hair, unless it's a hydrating oil," Gohara says.

“In a bowl, combine equal parts baking soda and cornstarch with a few drops of essential oil (lavender, tea tree, peppermint, etc.),” he suggests, recommending tablespoon measurements. Once mixed, he says to sprinkle the concoction lightly onto the scalp.

2. Baby powder. If you have run out of your favourite dry shampoo, here's another product that is just as effective to help get rid of all the excess grease. Baby powder is the multipurpose beauty product that has been handling greasy scalp problems for centuries.

Natural dry shampoo can be made with clay, starch, powders, or colloidal oatmeal. Arrowroot starch works well to absorb oil and disappear into your roots. Some people also use baking soda, although the texture can be grainy and easy to see.

Was there a dry shampoo recall? In October 2022, Unilever recalled certain dry shampoos, including products branded as Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI, and TRESemme, due to the presence of benzene.

Church & Dwight Co. has been hit with a proposed class action after some of its Batiste-brand dry shampoos were reportedly found to be contaminated with “dangerously high” levels of benzene, a carcinogen that has been linked to leukemia and other cancers.

"While benzene is not an ingredient in any of our products, our review showed that unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can," Procter & Gamble said, adding it initiated a review after other companies issued similar recalls.

Unilever recalled popular brands of aerosol dry shampoo, including Dove, after discovering they were contaminated with the chemical benzene that can cause cancer.

What is the news on Dove dry shampoo? ›

According to US FDA, the Dove dry shampoos - particularly manufactured before October 2021 - contain higher levels of benzene that may cause “leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life threatening”.

Although benzene is a known carcinogen that has been linked to leukemia in high amounts, if you've used any of the recalled products, you'll probably be okay—the amount you may have been exposed to is likely much lower than the levels needed to cause harm.

Last week the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced a nationwide dry shampoo recall due to “elevated levels of benzene” in dozens of aerosol products. Recalled items included Dove, Nexxus, Suave, Rockaholic, Bed Head, and Tresemmé dry shampoo canisters produced before October 2021.

Currently, the only products being recalled are from Unilever. This includes Dove, Suave, Nexxus, Tresemme, Bed Head and Rockaholic dry shampoo. Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.

Benzene works by causing cells not to work correctly. For example, it can cause bone marrow not to produce enough red blood cells, which can lead to anemia. Also, it can damage the immune system by changing blood levels of antibodies and causing the loss of white blood cells.

Benzene is a known contaminant of petroleum products.

New Delhi: Unilever has recalled popular brands of aerosol dry shampoo, including Dove, after discovering they were contaminated with a chemical called benzene that can cause cancer.

The company then recalled its Pantene and Herbal Essences dry shampoos in December, citing benzene contamination.

Due to the presence of benzene being found in dry shampoo made by Dove, Suave, Nexxus, TRESemme, and TIGI (Bedhead and Rockaholic), a voluntary recall has been made for the following products: Dove Dry Shampoo Volume and Fullness. Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh Coconut. Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh and Floral.

It's pretty simple, actually. “The alcohol or starch in the product soaks up the excess oil and grease in your hair, giving it a cleaner, fresher appearance,” Dr. Bergfeld explains. At first, dry shampoo makes your hair look and feel fresher and less greasy.

Don't use it every day.

This weakens hair's strength, potentially leading to hair loss and skin issues like infections, dermatitis, and acne. Instead, give your scalp a chance to breathe between washes: Our pros recommend only using dry shampoo one to two times a week.

How can I keep my hair clean without washing it everyday? ›

Use dry shampoo and use it right

On those unwashed hair days, dry shampoo is definitely your best friend since it's one of the main ways to prolong a regular shampoo. Nothing does the trick of making your hair look clean even when it's not washed.

When to wash. Rossi generally tells his patients they should wash their hair once or twice per week. But if you've had chemical treatments that can make your hair drier — such as bleach, perms or relaxers — you might want to wash it less than once weekly to avoid breaking or brittle hair or split ends, he said.

The FDA issued the voluntary recall on "dry shampoo aerosol products produced prior to October 2021 from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head), and TRESemmé due to potentially elevated levels of benzene." You can find the full list of recalled products with product codes here.

Amadril and Skurauskis complaint seeks dry shampoo settlement benefits for all individuals who purchased the recalled Batiste dry shampoo products, and were unknowingly exposed to benzene.

Unilever issued a recall for dry shampoo spray products last week, including brand names such as Suave, Dove and Nexxus, due to a risk the aerosol sprays may contain high levels of benzene; a known carcinogen.

Some dry shampoo products might contain the chemical benzene, most likely as a contaminant. Although benzene exposure is associated with dangerous health effects, there is no evidence that occasional dry shampoo use is harmful to humans.

The highest benzene levels among the dry shampoos were found in a popular brand called Not Your Mother's, which touts its “clean, quality ingredients.” Other brands found to have elevated benzene included Batiste, Sun Bum, and John Paul Mitchell Systems.

As dry shampoo builds up on the scalp it can prevent nutrients from being able to reach the hair follicle. Reavey says overusing the product can result in inflammation of the scalp and blockage of the follicles. "Over time, this can weaken the follicle, causing increased shedding and hair thinning," she says.

Does Dove dry shampoo contain benzene? ›

The report comes after certain aerosol dry shampoos, including some Dove, Nexxus, Suave, Tigi and Tresemme products, were voluntarily recalled last month due to the potential presence of benzene.