32 Popular Dry Shampoos Recalled for Toxic Benzene Contamination

Numerous dry shampoos & dry conditioners from popular Procter & Gamble brands have been recalled for toxic benzene contamination, a move that has stunned dry shampoo users. Which dry shampoos are both effective and non-toxic? You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like green beauty makeup sans PFAS “forever chemicals”, best non-toxic shampoos, & best air purifiers to clean up your indoor air, now join us for the details behind the Proctor & Gamble dry shampoo recall and what the best dry shampoo brands are.

Disclosure: This post has been medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. This post also contains affiliate links.

Procter & Gamble Recalls 32 Dry Shampoos

Procter & Gamble, parent company to popular brands like Herbal Essences, Pantene, Waterl<ss, Hair Food, & Old Spice, has just announced the recall of 32 dry shampoo & dry conditioner products because of concerns they are contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen. This was a voluntary recall for the protection of the public in order to avoid adverse health consequences.

Public pressure on finding benzene in aerosol deodorants & sunscreens led to Procter & Gamble doing an audit and finding issues in other products. They were quoted saying “Following recent reports that indicated traces of benzene in some aerosol spray products, we began a review of our total portfolio of aerosol products. 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. We detected benzene in aerosol dry shampoo spray products and aerosol dry conditioner spray products. Nothing is more important to us than the safety of the consumers who use our products and the quality of the products we ship.”

Here is a list of the recalled products.

Dry Shampoos Recalled

• Herbal Essences Blue Ginger Refresh Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 1.7oz.
• Pantene Dry Shampoo No Water Refresh, 4.9oz.
• Pantene Dry Shampoo Sheer Volume, 4.9oz.
• Pantene Never Tell Dry Shampoo, 4.2oz.
• Aussie After Hours Dry Shampoo Texture Spray, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Tousle Hustle Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Bounce Back Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Clean Color Protect Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Clean Texture Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Clean Volume Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Waterl<ss Dry Shampoo No Residue, 3.7oz.
• Waterl<ss Dry Shampoo No Residue, 1oz.
• Hair Food Coconut Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Old Spice Fiji Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.
• Old Spice Pure Sport Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz.

Dry Conditioners Recalled

• Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, 3.6oz.
• Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, 3.6oz.
• Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Weightless Smooth, .98oz.
• Waterl<ss Dry Conditioner Instant Moisture, .98oz.
• Pantene Sultry Bronde All in One Luxury Mist, 4.9oz.
• Pantene Smooth Talker Dry Conditioning Oil, 3.9oz.
• Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz.
• Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 3.9oz.
• Pantene Mist Behaving Dry Conditioning Mist, 1.0oz.
• Pantene Gold Series Instant Nourishing Spray, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Smooth Vibes Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Petal Soft Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz.
• Aussie Sleekend Warrior Dry Conditioner, 4.9oz.

The Food & Drug Administration has warned that no amount of benzene is safe for use in personal care products. If you would like to be reimbursed and get a full refund for any purchases of these items here is what Procter & Gamble is recommending you do to get those reimbursements.

Please check here to ensure you have the production code ranges. If you have those upc codes consumers can visit the online form at the following sites  www.pantene.com, www.aussie.com, www.herbalessences.com, www.hairfood.com, www.oldspice.com, or www.waterlesshaircare.com, for more information about the impacted products and to learn how to receive reimbursement for eligible products. If consumers have further questions, they can also seek more information via the Consumer Care team at 1-888-674-3631 from Monday – Friday from 9:00am – 6:00pm EST.

The Dangers Behind Benzene Contamination in Personal Care Products

Procter & Gamble’s risk statement on their site gives a good summary of the concerns:

“Benzene is classified as a human carcinogen. Exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin and it can result in cancers including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow and blood disorders which can be life-threatening. Based on exposure modeling and the cancer risk assessments published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (IRIS database).”

In other words, benzene is a known carcinogen and Procter & Gamble has recalled the products because daily use over time is linked to health problems. If you need to report an adverse reaction to this product, or if you have reports of adverse events, visit FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program either online, by regular mail or by fax.

• Complete and submit the report Online: https://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch-fda-safety-information-and-adverse-event-reporting-program
• Regular Mail or Fax: Download form at https://www.fda.gov/ or call 1-800-332-1088 to request a reporting form, then complete and return to the address on the pre-addressed form or submit by fax to 1-800-FDA-0178.

As you can see traditional dry shampoos may be problematic. Mamavation recommends purchasing products made from essential oils like organic peppermint oil or organic lavender oil, kaolin clay, organic arrowroot powder, organic horsetail powder, organic corn starch, white clays, witch hazel, rice starches, and other natural ingredients instead. There are so many better brands at your fingertips that we will explore at the end of this post.

The Dark Side of Dry Shampoos–Problematic Ingredients

When it comes to dry shampoos, the biggest issues revolve around the inhalation of ingredients and how they impact indoor air quality around you and your loved ones. (Btw, here are our favorite air purifiers for more on indoor air quality.) Why spray something on your hair that could disrupt the health of the people around you, right?

Here are some of the problematic ingredients we found in dry shampoos that we are recommending you to avoid. Now knowing some of these products contained benzene, I would take an abundance of caution with any similar products from other brands. Your dry shampoo may be cruelty-free, but it may also contain some of these issues:

• Most of the aerosol bottles contain butane, propane, or isobutane, which can be contaminated with butadiene, which is a known carcinogen. It’s the butane, propane, or isobutane inside Proctor & Gamble’s dry shampoo that could be causing the elevated amounts of benzene present.
• Brands swapping the butane for tetrafluoropropene can cause skin irritation, respiratory irritation, and severe eye irritation
• Undisclosed “fragrance” or “perfume” that could be laced with phthalates and synthetic musks that are problematic to people as well. Phthalates especially are problematic because they have been classified as a hormone-disrupting chemical linked to things like weight gain, hyperactivity in children, cancers, infertility in men, and much more.
• Using mica, which can have asbestos contamination. Asbestos causes cancer. (Very few things can be referred to as “causing cancer” but asbestos can because it’s directly linked to Mesothelioma.)
• Talcum powder, although it’s not supposed to have trace amounts of asbestos inside, they are still finding possible links between asbestos-free talcum powder and ovarian cancer in women.

Mamavation’s Investigation of Dry Shampoo

Mamavation also has additional product recommendations on hairsprays & mousses in our hair styling products investigation, recommendations on liquid shampoos and liquid conditioners on our shampoo investigation, or recommendations on bar shampoos in our bar shampoo investigation.

Not Our Favorite Dry Shampoos

These shampoos contain a form of butane, which can be contaminated with butadiene, which is a carcinogen. Most of them also include undisclosed “fragrance” and other such ingredients we deemed not worthy of Mamavation fans. We looked closely at indoor air quality and found that these brands would likely disrupt indoor air based on the ingredients they are using.

• Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo
• Amika Perk Up Dry Shampoo Limited Edition HairToStay
• Amika Phantom Hydrating Dry Shampoo Foam
• Aussie After Hours Dry Shampoo Texture Spray, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Aussie Tousle Hustle Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Aussie Bounce Back Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Aussie Clean Color Protect Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Aussie Clean Texture Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Aussie Clean Volume Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Batiste De-Frizzing Dry Shampoo
• Batiste Dry Shampoo Blush
• Batiste Dry Shampoo Brilliant Blonde
• Batiste Dry Shampoo Cherry
• Batiste Dry Shampoo Clean & Light Bare
• Batiste Dry Shampoo Divine Dark
• Batiste Dry Shampoo Nice
• Batiste Dry Shampoo Original
• Batiste Hydrating Dry Shampoo
• Batiste Volumizing Dry Shampoo
• Batiste Waterless Cleansing Foam Almond Oil
• Batiste Waterless Cleansing Foam Cactus Water
• Batiste Waterless Cleansing Foam Coconut Milk
• Batiste Waterless Cleansing Foam Hibiscus Root
• Colab Paradise Dry Shampoo
• Davines Hair Refresher Dry Cleansing Mist
• Dove Care Between Washes Brunette Dry Shampoo
• Dove Care Between Washes Clarifying Dry Shampoo
• Dove Care Between Washes Go Active Dry Shampoo
• Dove Detox and Purify Dry Shampoo
• Dove Foam Dry Shampoo
• Dove Fresh and Floral Dry Shampoo
• Dove Fresh Coconut Dry Shampoo
• Dove Invisible Dry Shampoo
• Dove Ultra Clean Dry Shampoo
• Dove Unscented Dry Shampoo
• Dove Volume and Fullness Dry Shampoo
• Drybar Detox Brunettes Dry Shampoo
• Drybar Detox Clear Invisible Dry Shampoo
• Drybar Detox Coconut Colada Dry Shampoo
• Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo Bubbles & Berries
• Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo Grapefruit Mimosa
• Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo Original Scent
• Drybar Detox Dry Shampoo Sangria Spritzer
• Drybar Detox Lush Scent
• Freeman Psssst! Nourish Dry Shampoo Coconut
• Freeman Psssst! Nourish Dry Shampoo Sugar Berry
• Freeman Psssst! Nourish Dry Shampoo Tropical
• Freeman Psssst! Unscented
• Freeman Psssst! Volume Dry Shampoo Citrus
• Freeman Psssst! Nourish Dry Shampoo Fruity Floral
• Garnier Fructis Invisible Dry Shampoo Melon-tini
• Garnier Fructis Invisible Dry Shampoo Coco-Colada
• Garnier Fructis Invisible Dry Shampoo Mint Mojito
• Hair Food Coconut Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Hask Charcoal Purifying Dry Shampoo
• Hask Chia Seed Volumizing Dry Shampoo
• Healium Hair Dry Shampoo
• Herbal Essences Blue Ginger Refresh Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Herbal Essences White Grapefruit & Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Herbal Essences White Strawberry & Sweet Mint Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Herbal Essences Cucumber & Green Tea Dry Shampoo, 1.7oz. (RECALLED) 
• Klorane Detox Dry Shampoo with Aquatic Mint
• Klorane Dry Shampoo With Nettle
• Klorane Dry Shampoo with Nettle Dark Hair
• Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk
• Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Dark Hair
• L’ange DejaVu Dry Shampoo
• L’ange Style Revival Super Dry Shampoo
• Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo
• Monat Studio One The Champ Conditioning Dry Shampoo
• Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Dark Tones
• Moroccanoil Dry Shampoo Light Tones
• Nexxus Refreshing Dry Shampoo
• Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Dry Shampoo
• Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Refreshing Dry Shampoo Original
• Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Tapioca Dry Shampoo
• Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Tinted Dry Shampoo Dark
• Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak Tinted Dry Shampoo Medium
• Not Your Mother’s Clean Freak UNSCENTED Dry Shampoo
• Not Your Mother’s Plump For Joy Body Building Dry Shampoo
• Ogx Argan Oil of Morocco Extra Strength Dry Shampoo
• Old Spice Fiji Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED)
• Old Spice Pure Sport Dry Shampoo, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Oribe Gold Lust Dry Shampoo
• Pantene Dry Shampoo No Water Refresh, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Pantene Dry Shampoo Sheer Volume, 4.9oz. (RECALLED) 
• Pantene Never Tell Dry Shampoo, 4.2oz. (RECALLED) 
• Pulp Riot Berlin Dry Shampoo
• Pureology Style + Protect Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo
• R+Co Badlands Dry Shampoo Paste
• R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo
• R+Co Skyline Dry Shampoo Powder
• R+Co Spiritualized Dry Shampoo Mist
• SGX NYC Dry-Touch Volumizing Dry Shampoo
• TRESemme Between Washes Basic Care Dry Shampoo for Oily Hair
• TRESemme Brunette Clean Paraben Free Dry Shampoo
• TRESemme Fresh & Clean Dry Shampoo
• TRESemme Pro Pure Clean Sulfate-Free Dry Shampoo with Tapioca Cleanser
• TRESemme Volume Clean Paraben Free Dry Shampoo
• Waterl<ss Dry Shampoo No Residue, 3.7oz. (RECALLED) 
• Waterl<ss Dry Shampoo No Residue, 1oz. (RECALLED) 

Better Dry Shampoos

These dry shampoos were better, but not perfect. They did not contain butane but did contain ingredients like undisclosed fragrance, potentially asbestos-contaminated mica, or other things that would make them better but less than perfect.

• Bari Naturals Powdered Dry Shampoo Cocoa for Dark Hair
• Bari Naturals Powdered Dry Shampoo Hibiscus for Red Hair
• Bari Naturals Powdered Dry Shampoo Mica for Light Hair
• Dove Care Between Washes Go Active Dry Shampoo Wipes
• Klorane Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk (Non-Aerosol one)
• L’ange Stardust Dry Shampoo Powder (Non-Aerosol one)
• Love Beauty & Planet Coconut Water Dry Shampoo
• Love Beauty & Planet Muru Muru Dry Shampoo
• Prose Custom Dry Shampoo
• Raw Sugar Volume Dry Shampoo
• Yuni Invisible Dry Cleaner Texturizing Dry Shampoo

Best Dry Shampoos

These brands were the safest by far! They did not contain any form of butane or undisclosed fragrances. They contain the ingredients we approved above for both light and dark hair.

• Acure Dry Shampoo All Hair Types
• Acure Dry Shampoo Brunette to Dark Hair
• Be Green Bath & Body Herbal Dry Shampoo
• Beauty By Earth Dry Shampoo & Volume Powder for Blonde and Light Hair Colors
• Beauty By Earth Dry Shampoo & Volume Powder for Dark and Red Hair Colors
• Captain Blankenship Mermaid Dry Shampoo
• Chagrin Valley Dry Shampoo Dark Hair Citrus Mint
• Chagrin Valley Dry Shampoo Dark Hair Lavender Rosemary
• Chagrin Valley Dry Shampoo Light Hair Citrus Mint
• Chagrin Valley Dry Shampoo Light Hair Lavender Rosemary
• Fat and the Moon Balance Shampoo Powder
• Fat and The Moon Stimulate Shampoo Powder
• Fat and The Moon Lavender and Cocoa Dry Shampoo
• Franklin & Whitman East Falls Dry Shampoo Dark Hair
• Franklin & Whitman East Falls Dry Shampoo Light Hair
• Franklin & Whitman Spring Garden Dry Shampoo Dark Hair
• Franklin & Whitman Spring Garden Dry Shampoo Light Hair
• Hair Dance Dry Shampoo Volume Powder
• Handmade Heroes Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo for Light Hair
• Handmade Heroes Drop Dead Gorgeous Dry Shampoo for Medium to Dark Hair
• Lark + Owl Dry Shampoo Black
• Lark + Owl Dry Shampoo Blonde
• Lark + Owl Dry Shampoo Brunette
• Lemongrass Spa Dry Shampoo
• Lulu Organics Hair Powder Dry Shampoo Unscented
• Lulu Organics Hair Powder Dry Shampoo
• Moon Cheeks After A While Crocodile Dry Shampoo Spray
• Morrocco Method Volcanic Powder Dry Shampoo (DISCOUNT: link direct to small biz, take 15% off by using “mamavation” )
• Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo (Dark Locks) (DISCOUNT: link direct to small biz, take 10% off by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout)
• Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo (Light Locks) (DISCOUNT: link direct to small biz, take 10% off by using “MAMAVATION” at checkout)
• Pure Haven Dry Shampoo
• Rahua Voluminous Dry Shampoo
• Rowe Casa Organics All-Natural Dry Shampoo Dark
• Rowe Casa Organics All-Natural Dry Shampoo Light
• Rowe Casa Organics All-Natural Dry Shampoo Medium
• Wellnesse Revitalizing Dry Shampoo Darker Hair (DISCOUNT: links direct to small biz, take 10% off by using “Mamavation10” at checkout.)
• Wellnesse Revitalizing Dry Shampoo for All Hair Types (DISCOUNT: links direct to small biz, take 10% off by using “Mamavation10” at checkout.)

“Best” Small Businesses Offering Discounts to Mamavation Readers

We pulled the best small businesses down from our “best” list that are offering you a discount if you go to their site directly and hope you get a chance to view their products.

• Morrocco Method Volcanic Powder Dry Shampoo (DISCOUNT: link direct to small biz, take 15% off by using “mamavation” )
• Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo (Dark Locks) (DISCOUNT: link direct to small biz, take 10% off by using “Mamavation” at checkout)
• Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo (Light Locks) (DISCOUNT: link direct to small biz, take 10% off by using “Mamavation” at checkout)
• Unsubscribe No Rinse Dry Shampoo (DISCOUNT: links direct to small biz, take 20% off by using “Leah_20”)
• Wellnesse Revitalizing Dry Shampoo Darker Hair (DISCOUNT: links direct to small biz, take 10% off by using “MAMAVATION10” at checkout.)
• Wellnesse Revitalizing Dry Shampoo for All Hair Types (DISCOUNT: links direct to small biz, take 10% off by using “MAMAVATION10” at checkout.)