Dry shampoo has become a staple in many people's hair care routines, offering a quick and convenient way to refresh hair without water. It's a winter essential for avoiding cold wet hair and giving limp hair more va-va-voom. However, with increasing awareness of the chemicals we are ingesting and applying to our skin and hair, it's crucial to understand the ingredients in dry shampoo and their potential safety implications. This article delves into the ingredients commonly found in aerosol dry shampoos, potential health risks, and safer alternatives for maintaining healthy hair.
Dry shampoo is a water-free hair care product designed to absorb excess oil, refresh hair, and extend the time between washes. It’s an excellent alternative for those busy days when washing and drying your hair isn’t an option. Natural dry shampoo is especially beneficial for preserving hair health, maintaining color-treated hair, and reducing exposure to harsh chemicals found in conventional dry shampoos. Dry shampoo products contain inert substances, like corn or potato starch, that absorb hair oils, cover up hair odors, and provide volume. Dry shampoo products are available in aerosol and powder formulations. Aerosol dry shampoos are typically sprayed onto hair, while powdered products are sprayed or sprinkled.
Recent concerns about the safety of aerosol dry shampoos have primarily focused on the presence of benzene, a known human carcinogen. Benzene is a colorless liquid chemical that is found naturally in the environment in air, water, and soil. Natural sources of benzene include volcano smoke and fire fumes. Benzene is a known human carcinogen, and chronic exposure to benzene is associated with development of certain leukemias and other health problems. Benzene can be a contaminant of certain hand sanitizer products, body sprays, antiperspirants, dry shampoos, and sunscreens. It's vital to understand benzene is formed from natural processes, such as volcanoes, tobacco smoke, and car emissions too, and may unintentionally show up as a byproduct or impurity in what is known as trace amounts in certain raw materials.
Marisa Plescia, a cosmetic chemist based in Minneapolis, says, “Dry shampoos are “really basic” products, with a combination of powder starches, silica and fragrance to absorb the oil in your hair. No company is intentionally putting benzene in their products. It’s contamination.” Chris Cappa, an environmental engineering professor at the University of California at Davis, says, “Butane, a petroleum product, is a standard propellant in spray cans, and if the refinement process of butane isn’t very good, then you can end up with gas that contains other components from the crude oil, such as benzene.” The class action complaints outline that aerosol products such as dry shampoos rely on expulsing contents from their container using liquified or compressed gas. Common aerosol propellants for consumer items include butane, isobutane, and propane, typically derived from crude oil in oil refineries.
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) describes benzene as a room temperature, colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical. People can be exposed by breathing air containing the chemical, skin, or orally.
Read also: Benefits of Innersense Shampoo
Steven Lacey, PhD, MS, professor and division chief of public health at the U, says, “Most of our understanding about benzene as a human carcinogen comes from individuals who have had long-term exposure to high levels of benzene, like chemical manufacturing workers that use or make benzene." Rodney Handy, MBA, PhD, professor of family and preventive medicine at the U, says, “Since 1979, benzene has been considered carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC)." Although, just because something is labeled a carcinogen, exposure doesn’t always result in cancer. Risk of developing cancer depends on length of exposure and genetic background. “Less is known about the risk from comparatively lower exposures from consumer products, but once this type of product contamination is known, it seems easy enough to avoid, especially when so many alternatives exist-in this case, newer versions of dry shampoos that don’t contain the chemical.
In October 2022, Unilever recalled certain dry shampoos, including products branded as Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI, and TRESemmé, due to the presence of benzene. On October 31, 2022, Valisure, an independent laboratory, submitted a citizen petition to the FDA detailing its detection of high benzene levels in specific batches of certain dry shampoo products. While the FDA allows up to two parts per million (ppm) of benzene in certain drug products if its use is unavoidable, the benzene levels in the defendants’ products far exceed this limit. The lawsuits argue that the dry shampoos need not contain any benzene at all.
Sun Bum, Paul Mitchell, and Batiste, leading manufacturers of dry shampoos, are facing proposed class action lawsuits following reports of dangerously high benzene levels in some of their products. A federal court approved a $3.1 million settlement deal to resolve the consumer fraud class action involving Batiste dry shampoo products. The settlement deal includes a cash fund of $2.5 million that will be used to make relatively small cash settlement payments to individual consumers. S.C. Johnson & Son, Sun Bum’s parent company, along with John Paul Mitchell Systems and Church & Dwight Co., the manufacturers of Batiste, are all implicated in these lawsuits. The lawsuits specifically mention Sun Bum Beach Formula Dry Shampoo, Paul Mitchell Invisiblewear Brunette Dry Shampoo, and 13 varieties of Batiste dry shampoo.
Beyond benzene, several other ingredients commonly found in conventional aerosol dry shampoos raise health and environmental concerns.
Talc is a material made of magnesium, silicon, and oxygen and may also have asbestos fibers. While talc is still used in many conventional dry shampoo formulas, it does not mean it’s a “safe” ingredient. The use of talc has been linked to cancer.
Read also: Natural Haircare with Mermaid Dry Shampoo
This toxic aerosol ingredient is what’s jetting your dry shampoo at top speed towards your roots. Additionally, aerosols can make the air around you difficult to breathe, can cause headaches, or even nausea to you and everyone near the area you’re spraying in. Propane is a colorless, odorless gas that is derived from petroleum or natural gas. It has associations with non-reproductive system organ toxicity, irritation, and allergies. Butane is a lot like propane, with minor differences in pressure, boiling point, etc. However, it's definitely not great to use either.
Phenoxyethanol’s purpose is to help fight bacteria. The EU and Japan have approved the use for up to 1%, but we can’t help but think of the cumulative effects of this controversial dry shampoo ingredient. The jury is still out on the safety and long-term effects of Phenoxyethanol, but studies have shown it can lead to developmental and reproductive issues, as well as being linked to cancer.
If you are looking to banish hair static, cetrimonium chloride is your conventional dry shampoo ingredient addition. But this toxic dry shampoo ingredient has been classified by the EWG as toxic, irritating and allergenic, not to mention lethal if orally ingested. is playing catch up to the world in cosmetics regulations, we couldn't help but notice that the EU Cosmetics Directive only allows a maximum concentration of .1% to be used.
The purpose of dry shampoo is to draw moisture and oil away from the scalp, and this is where alcohol comes in. Alcohol can be extremely drying to our delicate strands and head, absorbing natural oils that are needed for a healthy scalp. Excessive use of dry shampoos that contain alcohol can lead to long-term hair and scalp damage.
There has been a slight shift away from this questionable ingredient after scientific studies, and Canada and California have been taking a closer look at these ingredients in personal care products.
Read also: Is Bio-Groom Shampoo Safe?
You might already be a shampoo pro, but if you aren’t sure you’re correctly shampooing your hair, we’ve here to help!
PRO TIP: When drying your hair, avoid harshly rubbing in between a towel.
PRO TIP: Avoid brushing your hair while wet. When hair is wet, it’s extremely susceptible to breakage and damage, too.
Given the potential risks associated with conventional aerosol dry shampoos, many people are turning to safer alternatives.
If you’re still wondering why it’s worth switching to natural hair care products, let us break down for you the amazing ingredients in our natural hair care formulas. Trade in icky ingredients for lush botanicals and herbs that pack a potent punch of nourishing vitamins and minerals.
If you have fine hair and have been searching for a volumizing shampoo, your hunt is over. Our Kelp & Mint Volumizing Shampoo checks off all the wishlist boxes. It’s safe for color treated hair, vegan, gluten free and did we mention the invigorating peppermint smell? This super nourishing formula gives your lovely locks extra fullness, body and shine - three major hair care solutions you’ve been looking for! The gentle zip from peppermint will help to stimulate your scalp, while kelp works on thickening your hair. Who knew that kelp could also add that perfect amount of shine?
Did you know that peppermint oil can help stimulate hair growth? Now that we have ticked boxes on frizz control, and adding fullness and volume to strands, what about hair growth? We’d all love to have more tresses if that means more va-va-voom in a fuller mane! Our Rosemary Grow Serum makes the ideal hair serum for growth, conditioning and strengthening. Formulated with the correct percentage of rosemary for clinically-proven hair growth, this serum is invigorating and stimulating on the hair follicles for a fuller mane. Just a few drops on the scalp and roots daily can help promote healthy hair.
Rosemary oil can be used as an all-natural booster for hair growth. This scented oil works with your scalp’s natural sebum production to prevent dryness and give your mane a glossy shine. From promoting healthy scalp skin and hair growth to preserving the environment, a natural shampoo has it all. So, make the switch today and see the difference for yourself.
Regardless of the type of dry shampoo you choose, it's essential to use it correctly to minimize potential risks.
Myth: Dry shampoo will turn your hair gray.
Answer: Nope! That's totally a myth! Sure, awkward spotting can happen if you don't blend, but with proper application, you should have no problem with gray hair. . . That is, unless you already have gray hair, in which case, we can't help you much.
Question: Can Dry Shampoo Irritate Your Scalp?
Answer: Curls are awesome but you're right to be worried. They can go from fabulous to frizzy after a day without washing. First, add your dry shampoo to your dirty hair. Next, dampen your hair with a little bit of water (either by adding water to an empty spray bottle and spritzing a few squirts or running wet hands over your hair multiple times until it's adequately wet). You don't want it soaking, just damp. Next, scrunch your curls and see them re-awaken into their former glory!
Question: Does Dry Shampoo Add Volume?
Answer: YES! It totally does! For those of us with thin or limp locks, dry shampoo can be a life-sizer.
Here's a look at some popular dry shampoo brands and products:
tags: #aerosol #dry #shampoo #ingredients #and #safety
