Is Dry Shampoo Safe?

The problem found in dry shampoo has been benzene in aerosol sprays. In December 2021 Procter and Gamble voluntarily recalled aerosol dry shampoo and dry conditioner sprays from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences and Waterless, plus discontinued Old Spice and Hair Food dry shampoos, due to the presence of benzene detected in some products. The company said benzene is not an ingredient in any of its products and that its review showed the unexpected levels came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can.

In October 2022 Unilever voluntarily recalled select lot codes of aerosol dry shampoos produced before October 2021 from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head) and TRESemmé due to potentially elevated levels of benzene. Unilever said an independent health hazard evaluation found that daily exposure at the levels detected would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences, and that it was recalling out of an abundance of caution.

The FDA says that in small amounts over long periods benzene can decrease the formation of blood cells, and that long-term exposure through inhalation, oral intake and skin absorption may result in cancers such as leukemia and other blood disorders. In its guidance on benzene contamination in drugs, the FDA names isobutane, a spray propellant, among the inactive ingredients the contamination may be related to.

Sources checked September 15, 2026. Every point below links the page it came from.

The sources behind this answer

  • RecallProcter and Gamble voluntarily recalled aerosol dry conditioner and dry shampoo sprays from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences and Waterless, plus discontinued Old Spice and Hair Food dry shampoos, due to benzene detected in some products. Procter and Gamble, posted by the US FDA ↗
  • Brand statementProcter and Gamble said benzene is not an ingredient in any of its products and that its review showed the unexpected levels of benzene came from the propellant that sprays the product out of the can. Procter and Gamble, posted by the US FDA ↗
  • RecallUnilever voluntarily recalled select lot codes of aerosol dry shampoos produced before October 2021 from Dove, Nexxus, Suave, TIGI (Rockaholic and Bed Head) and TRESemmé due to potentially elevated levels of benzene. Unilever, posted by the US FDA ↗
  • Brand statementUnilever said that, based on an independent health hazard evaluation, daily exposure to benzene in the recalled products at the levels detected would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences, and that it recalled out of an abundance of caution. Unilever, posted by the US FDA ↗
  • Government sourceThe FDA says that in small amounts over long periods benzene can decrease the formation of blood cells, and long-term exposure may result in cancers such as leukemia and other blood disorders. US FDA ↗
  • Government sourceIn its FAQ on benzene contamination in drugs, the FDA says contamination may be related to inactive ingredients such as carbomers, isobutane (a spray propellant) or other components made from hydrocarbons. US FDA ↗

Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.

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