Cancer-causing ingredients found in popular dry shampoos. Was your favourite recalled? Here's what you need to know.
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We all know that dry shampoo is a miracle worker. It can help us go an extra day or two between washes, and it gives our hair a bit of a boost when we're running low on energy.
However, there's been a lot of talk lately about the dangers of certain ingredients found in hair products – and dry shampoo is no exception.
After hair products from TRESemmé, Bed Head, and Dove were recalled in the United States and Canada, some dry shampoos were then recalled in Australia. This comes after the detection of ‘high’ levels of a cancer-causing ingredient called Benzene.
If you’re like us and you’re wondering what that is, benzene is a chemical component used in coal tar and petroleum. It’s also been found to have carcinogenic properties – or a substance that can cause cancer.
But can dry shampoo really cause cancer?
Well, the short answer is no.
Scientists have said that while traces of benzene have been found in dry shampoos (and other hair products), and that the ingredient has been proven to cause cancer, the level of benzene found in dry shampoo isn’t enough to negatively impact your health.
Cosmetic chemist and science educator Dr Michelle Wong also weighed in on the discussion. The chemist, who’s also known as the ‘Lab Muffin’, said that people are more likely to be exposed to a higher amount of benzene from breathing in city air for half a day.
She regularly discusses cosmetic products on her social media accounts, and just recently, she busted the misconception floating around benzene. In an Instagram post, she explained that while it’s good to be cautious, it doesn’t necessarily mean that ‘any amount of benzene’ is dangerous to people’s health.
She said: ‘You need to be exposed to extremely high amounts to have a noticeably higher risk of cancer.’
Dr Michelle also stated that dry shampoo is ‘super unlikely’ to cause cancer – even with daily use. Well, that’s a relief!
She also busted the misconception that benzene is easily absorbed through the scalp and into your bloodstream.
You can watch her full explanation here:
But what about ‘clean’ dry shampoo? Isn’t that the safest bet to use?
Dr Michelle explained that there might be traces of benzene in ‘clean’ dry shampoos, too. Slapping the word ‘clean’ on the packaging of your favourite beauty products doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re better to use.
‘Clean beauty promotes a lot of pseudoscience, and I’m not sure they understand cosmetic laws,’ Dr Michelle said.
Still not convinced? You can watch another explanation from Dr Michelle here:
Although there’s a lot of fear-mongering around the recent recall of products (and other cosmetic regulations), Dr Michelle reminds people that this was a voluntary recall. This means that cosmetic regulations are tightening their rules, and there’s no reason to panic.
These are some of the hair products that were recalled voluntarily:
Well, folks! There you have it. What are your thoughts on this? Let us know in the comments below!
However, there's been a lot of talk lately about the dangers of certain ingredients found in hair products – and dry shampoo is no exception.
After hair products from TRESemmé, Bed Head, and Dove were recalled in the United States and Canada, some dry shampoos were then recalled in Australia. This comes after the detection of ‘high’ levels of a cancer-causing ingredient called Benzene.
If you’re like us and you’re wondering what that is, benzene is a chemical component used in coal tar and petroleum. It’s also been found to have carcinogenic properties – or a substance that can cause cancer.
But can dry shampoo really cause cancer?
Some dry shampoo has been recalled in Australia. Credit: Polina Tankilevitch in Pexels
Well, the short answer is no.
Scientists have said that while traces of benzene have been found in dry shampoos (and other hair products), and that the ingredient has been proven to cause cancer, the level of benzene found in dry shampoo isn’t enough to negatively impact your health.
Cosmetic chemist and science educator Dr Michelle Wong also weighed in on the discussion. The chemist, who’s also known as the ‘Lab Muffin’, said that people are more likely to be exposed to a higher amount of benzene from breathing in city air for half a day.
She regularly discusses cosmetic products on her social media accounts, and just recently, she busted the misconception floating around benzene. In an Instagram post, she explained that while it’s good to be cautious, it doesn’t necessarily mean that ‘any amount of benzene’ is dangerous to people’s health.
She said: ‘You need to be exposed to extremely high amounts to have a noticeably higher risk of cancer.’
Dr Michelle also stated that dry shampoo is ‘super unlikely’ to cause cancer – even with daily use. Well, that’s a relief!
Dr Michelle dispelled the myth that dry shampoo causes cancer. Credit: Cup of Couple in Pexels
She also busted the misconception that benzene is easily absorbed through the scalp and into your bloodstream.
You can watch her full explanation here:
But what about ‘clean’ dry shampoo? Isn’t that the safest bet to use?
Dr Michelle explained that there might be traces of benzene in ‘clean’ dry shampoos, too. Slapping the word ‘clean’ on the packaging of your favourite beauty products doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re better to use.
‘Clean beauty promotes a lot of pseudoscience, and I’m not sure they understand cosmetic laws,’ Dr Michelle said.
Still not convinced? You can watch another explanation from Dr Michelle here:
Although there’s a lot of fear-mongering around the recent recall of products (and other cosmetic regulations), Dr Michelle reminds people that this was a voluntary recall. This means that cosmetic regulations are tightening their rules, and there’s no reason to panic.
These are some of the hair products that were recalled voluntarily:
- Pantene Never Tell Dry shampoo
- Waterless Dry Shampoo No Residue for fine or oily hair
- Waterless Dry Conditioner Weightless smooth 102 g for fine Hair
- Waterless Dry Conditioner instant moisture for thick hair 102 g
- Waterless Regimen Pack for Fine or Oily hair
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