Safe Dry Shampoos: Discover Benzene-Free Options for Healthy Hair

If you're searching for a benzene-free dry shampoo, you're not alone. The chemical benzene, which was found in our aerosol hair products, including dry shampoo, made headlines in 2022. This prompted us to reach out to our favorite brands for clarity on which products had been tested and are formulated without this ingredient. Given the numerous products on the market today, choosing the best one for your hair can be challenging. This article will delve into the issue of benzene in dry shampoo, and give you insight on the products we have vetted thus far.

Benzene is a commonly used chemical in the production of various industrial products, including chemicals, dyes, detergents, and some plastics. As explained by Ron McLaughlin, Senior Vice President of Product Development at Living Proof, benzene is a product of both natural processes, such as volcanic activities, and human activities, like tobacco smoke, car emissions, and the burning of coal and oil. It can also unintentionally show up as a by-product or as an impurity in trace amounts in certain raw materials.

McLaughlin clarifies that most aerosol dry shampoos in the market use a blend of hydrocarbon propellent (gas) and ethanol to deliver the product to hair. The majority of these hydrocarbon aerosol propellent mixes are made of propane, n-butane, and iso-butane, which potentially contain benzene as an impurity due to their source materials.

The CDC has warned that inhaling high levels of benzene can lead to various symptoms within minutes to several hours, including drowsiness, dizziness, irregular or fast heartbeat, headaches, tremors, confusion, and even unconsciousness. However, manifesting these symptoms doesn't necessarily indicate exposure to benzene.

Earlier in 2021, benzene was reported to be present in numerous sunscreens, causing major concern in the beauty industry and leading to mass recalls. Unfortunately, the concern didn't stop with sunscreens. By October 2022, more than 1.5 million dry shampoo products were recalled due to the presence of benzene.

Without stringent quality control measures, low levels of benzene could potentially find their way into dry shampoo. McLaughlin notes, however, that simply seeing ingredients such propane and isobutane on package labels doesn't mean that the product contains benzene. This is where rigorous quality control and testing become crucial. It's not every brand that undertakes this level of testing.

Since its creation, dry shampoo has become a daily essential for many. Who has time for a full wash every day? And certainly, no one wants to breathe in harmful chemicals while trying to manage oily hair roots.

amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo

Praised for its oil-absorbing, talc-free formula and distinctive scent, we are glad to include this dry shampoo in our group. The brand has assured us that the safety of their customers and the integrity of their products is their top priority. Earlier in the year, they tested all their aerosols in the market for benzene and none were detected. The suppliers of their propellants also conduct tests to ensure that the benzene levels are below the FDA tolerance level for pharmaceuticals and as per EU regulations.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day (PhD) Dry Shampoo

This top-selling dry shampoo in the market is also talc-free. It does an admirable job making second- and third-day hair look and feel refreshed. It features the distinctive citrusy scent that Living Proof fans adore, without weighing down fine hair strands. It is reassuring to know that Living Proof follows strict safety protocols and collaborates closely with the FDA. They also conduct thorough safety tests on incoming raw materials for benzene before starting production, according to McLaughlin.

Each individual lot of products is supplied with its own Certificate of Analysis (COA). This standard document is provided by manufacturers and suppliers to verify their alignment with stringent safety protocols. In the context of our dry shampoos, the COA serves to confirm the application and results of all safety tests and standards. To further ensure safety, we enlisted a third-party safety expert to analyze our dry shampoos. The outcome of this analysis is that our products are safe to use and carry no health risks.”

Batiste Original Dry Shampoo 

I started using this shampoo many years ago, and my hair absolutely loved it. There is a slight residue that it leaves in my hair, but as a blonde, I find this quite useful for concealing my grubby roots. When it comes to dry shampoo brands, Batiste is always my go-to choice.

Regarding benzene testing, the following statement from the brand’s parent company, Church & Dwight, pertains to all aerosol dry shampoo products from Batiste (of which there are over 20!) purchased after May 30, 2023.

“We prioritize consumer safety,” a representative of Church & Dwight says. “Upon learning that the benzene content in the recalled products of our competitors was due to the use of certain propellants, we got in touch with our propellant suppliers. They reassured us that the propellants used in our Batiste products do not contain benzene.”

Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo 

Among benzene-free dry shampoos, this celebrated product is a preferred choice of many. Its signature Côte d’Azur fragrance stays in your hair throughout the day and a few sprays can easily prolong your blowout.

The brand has asserted in a statement, “We have carried an investigation following the recent aerosol recall due to high benzene levels, which is a recognized carcinogenic substance. It is important to note, our Oribe Hair Care products, including the dry shampoo, are not designed to contain benzene. Our technical team, having examined the data, concluded that our aerosol products are highly unlikely to be contaminated with benzene. We, at Oribe Hair Care, are committed to offering safe cosmetic products and will continue overseeing the safety and excellence of our aerosol products.”

Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo 

If you've ever had a blowout at a drybar but forgot to buy a bottle of this dry shampoo, it's not too late to add it to your cart. The product's micro-fine rice powder absorbs oil and volumizes limp roots, while its sweet, vanilla-esque aroma is loved by many.

Anna Kimble, hairstylist and senior director of education for Drybar, says, “Our company's philosophy is straightforward: specialize in one area and excel in it. With this approach in mind, our Detox Dry Shampoo and other products are formulated to exclude parabens, sulfates, and phthalates, and we run no animal tests, hence our products are cruelty-free. Specifically, our Detox Dry Shampoo is engineered to be benzene-free, i.e., devoid of chemicals that could potentially be harmful. Furthermore, a large portion of our items do not contain gluten, keratin, honey, or nuts and their oils.”

BondiBoost HG Dry Shampoo (available from September 7)

This new dry shampoo from leading Australian haircare brand, BondiBoost, will join its topline HG range, designed to “boost your hair growth journey.” The product has a rosemary oil-infused formulation that stimulates hair follicles and soothes the scalp while effectively absorbing oil and increasing volume.

“Our highest priority at BondiBoost is supplying our patrons with products that are safe and effective. We devote considerable attention to ensuring the absence of harmful ingredients in our formulas,” stated a representative from the brand.

R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo ($36) and R+Co Bleu Retroactive Dry Shampoo 

The R+Co range boasts these two fan-favorite aerosol dry shampoos, along with other formulations such as paste and lotion-to-powder. These products, known to efficiently clean and volumize hair, are particularly appreciated for imparting extra body to hair.

An R+Co spokesperson quotes, "R+Co is fully committed to guaranteeing that our products, besides being efficacious and top-quality, are always compliant with safety norms, legal, and regulatory requirements. Ensuring the safety of our customers is paramount."

R+Co is conscious of recent information about the occurrence of benzene in certain aerosol products. However, testing has established that the propellant ingredients in R+Co's productscontain less than one part per million of benzene, a level of safety confirmed through testing. In comparison, the FDA sets a tolerance level of two PPM for pharmaceutical and drug products.

R+Co rigorously communicates with its suppliers to assure continuous compliance with the requirements in this perspective. Prioritizing accurate test results, both R+Co and its suppliers are committed to maintaining this standard.

Customers are always welcomed to ask more questions as continuous efforts are made to guarantee the safety of R+Co's products."

A worthy bargain at the drug store is the HASK Dry Shampoo ($7 per unit). This product is available in different formulations to cater to various hair types. It's noteworthy to try the Chia Seed Volumizing Dry Shampoo for fine, limp hair that gives a floral tea odor. If you have oily roots, try the Charcoal Purifying Dry Shampoo that carries a botanical citrus aroma. The Coconut Dry Shampoo provides oil absorption and makes hair strands softer, leaving a tropical coconut scent. Lastly, the Biotin Boost Thickening Dry Shampoo, perfect for thinning hair, is enriched with biotin, collagen, and coffee, and it leaves a stimulating herbal fragrance.

HASK assured that the propellant used in its Dry Shampoo products does not contain benzene according to their product development team. It is regularly tested to meet industry standards.

The Olaplex No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo ($30)employs ultra-fine micro starch derived from brown rice. This light and non-buildup-causing starch absorbs oil. Bond Building Technology enhances hair softness and strengthens damaged portions. The product makes hair health a priority.

Olaplex confirmed that third-party lab testing shows that their No.4D Clean Volume Detox Dry Shampoo does not contain benzene traces even down to 0.1 parts per million.

Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Dry Shampoo ($9)is another great option from this collection, which provides a variety of product features such as overnight effectiveness, sweet smells, or added texture for a beach-like hair effect.

DeMert Brands, the parent company of Not Your Mother’s Hair Care, clarifies that the safety of its consumers is of utmost importance. The data provided by their suppliers and continuous safety testing of their products shows no traceable amounts of benzene in their products.

The Verb Dry Shampoo ($20) is available in two versions for both lighter and darker hair colors and has recently updated, now bigger sized (5 ounces instead of 4.5) packaging.

Verb stated that they use the highest quality raw materials to ensure the safety of their products. All Verb products, including dry shampoos, do not contain added benzene. Any presence of this chemical is well below the FDA safety standards.

Verb is committed to transparency about their products and the ingredients they use. Their raw materials undergo rigorous testing, ensuring the safety of their dry shampoos.

Consider also the FEKKAI Clean Stylers Sheer Dry Shampoo

Part of the brand’s big Clean Stylers launch, this vegan, talc-free dry shampoo is incredibly sheer (great for darker hair) and doesn’t leave buildup in the hair. Instead, it actually helps hydrate the hair and fight frizz with vitamin E and glycerin, and the citrusy-woodsy scent is nice, too.

“At Fekkai, we pride ourselves on creating high-performance, clean haircare that is safe for people and the planet. Our clean, vegan, sustainable formulas are gluten-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, phalate-free and also benzene-free,” says founder Frédéric Fekkai. “Our talc-free, Invisible Sheer Dry Shampoo is formulated with kaolin clay to absorb oil along with edelweiss and apple extracts to nourish and protect the hair.  Even better, it’s powered by Solstice by Honeywell, the first earth-friendly, non ozone-depleting aerosol propellant, so you can spray responsibly without any compromise on performance. I remain committed to our conscious effort to create salon grade products that do not harm humans, animals or the planet.“

DevaCurl Dry No-Poo Dry Shampoo

When you don’t have time for an in-shower wash, this dual-use dry shampoo features unique packaging that offers two ways to refresh waves, curls and coils (though all hair types can use it). Twist the nozzle one way for a narrow spray pattern that absorbs oil to refresh greasy roots and add a little volume to the hair. When curls are looking limp or lifeless, twist the nozzle the other way for a wider spray pattern that adds definition and texture from the mid-lengths down.

According to the brand, the formula is free of benzene, as well as talc powder, and instead uses tapioca starch to sop up oil. It also smells really nice and clean with a “green oasis fragrance” inspired by nature.

Orlando Pita Play Refresher Course Dry Shampoo 

This option is great for dry and/or damaged hair. Sometimes dry shampoo can make the hair feel drier, but this formula actually contains moisturizing argan oil that gives the hair a touchable feel. It’s also safe for color-treated strands.

“When it became known that propellants were a source of benzene in some hair products, we contacted our propellant suppliers and confirmed to those suppliers that the propellants used in our Orlando Pita Play Dry Shampoo were benzene-free,” says Irena Lebedev, director QA & Regulatory at HatchCollective, Orlando Pita’s parent company.

“We actively test our products because continuous, rigorous testing of every batch of products is key to ensuring the safety and integrity of our products. These tests found no traces of benzene in our Orlando Pita Play Dry Shampoo.”

Eva NYC Freshen Up Invisible Dry Shampoo 

Housed inside 100-percent recyclable aluminum, this vegan formula freshens up greasy strands (it’s great after a gym sesh), smells like a fruity perfume, and doesn’t leave behind a white residue.

“Earlier this year, we tested all of our in-market aerosols for benzene content, and all came back with no detectable benzene (down to 0.1 parts per million),” says Jane Moran, brand president. “We test our materials before using them in our beloved formulas to ensure the benzene levels are below 2 ppm—the tolerance level as set by the FDA for pharmaceuticals—and we are down to 0.1 parts per million (ppm). All the results showed our products remained far below the tolerance level, and we remain committed to continuously monitoring them to ensure they remain safe.”

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