Let’s get to the bottom of benzene. Why is benzene in your dry shampoo? Why is benzene dangerous, and how can you avoid it?

Benzene in dry shampoo—what's the deal?

What is benzene in dry shampoo?

Why is benzene in dry shampoo dangerous?

Can the benzene in dry shampoo cause cancer?

Why is benzene found in dry shampoo?

How common is benzene in dry shampoo?

How can you make sure you only use benzene-free dry shampoos?

3 Ways to Make Sure Your Dry Shampoo Is Benzene-Free

Benzene in dry shampoo—what's the deal?

It’s no secret that we love hair. Or that we love our products that let you style your hair—in every possible way. That you can use a Finishing Spray you have time, or dry shampoo when you don’t—and still look fresh. We love a sick look. But not to the point where it actually makes you sick. It’s a whole different kind of sick.

Unfortunately, this is the reality out there. Researchers from the independent laboratory Valisure tested 148 batches from 34 of the most popular brands of spray-on dry shampoo. They found that 70% contained benzene —a toxic chemical known to cause blood cancer. “What the hell!?” you say? Yeah, we hear you, but before we dive in to learn more about benzene and how to avoid it, we have something to say:

We want you to know that The Every’s dry shampoos—and all of our products—are 100% benzene-free. Using harmful ingredients like that just isn’t how we operate. The Every about helping you look your best, not about selling products that could potentially kill you.

What is benzene in dry shampoo?

Benzene is a colorless, flammable liquid with a slightly sweet odor. It is used in many industrial processes, including the manufacture of plastics, rubber, and synthetic fibers. It is also found in gasoline and cigarette smoke. Yuck.

Why is benzene in dry shampoo dangerous?

Exposure to benzene can cause serious health problems, including leukemia and other blood cancers. Benzene is a known carcinogen and can also cause other health problems, including anemia, damage to the immune system, and reproductive problems. The risks of benzene exposure are well-documented, and it is important to avoid exposure whenever possible.

Can the benzene in dry shampoo cause cancer?

Yes, benzene can definitely cause cancer, including leukemia. In fact, benzene was classified as a human carcinogen as early as the 1970s, so the chemical’s dangerous carcinogenic properties have been known for a long time.

Why is benzene found in dry shampoo?

That’s an excellent question. Benzene isn’t supposed to be in dry shampoo at all. Period. It plays no role in absorbing hair oils or masking odors and is not a known ingredient in dry shampoos. Instead, the most likely explanation is that benzene has found its way into the affected products through contamination during the manufacturing process. That’s no excuse, but at least it doesn’t seem intentional.

How common is benzene in dry shampoo?

Unfortunately, this seems to be ALL too common. As we mentioned earlier, a recent study conducted in 2022 found that benzene was present in 70% of the most popular dry shampoo brands. If you want the full list, you should go to pages 13 through 18 of the actual report on benzene in dry shampoos published by Valisure and note the brand names yourself. Otherwise, just to be safe, we suggest you get rid of the dry shampoos you have at home and pick up some of our benzene-free dry shampoos instead.

How can you make sure you only use benzene-free dry shampoos?

It is difficult to say whether a dry shampoo or Finishing Spray benzene, since the chemical is not an actual ingredient but rather a contaminant. Benzene is derived from petroleum, just like butane and propane, which are some of the most common propellants in sprays—they are what propel the spray out of the can. So if the presence of benzene is due to contamination, butane and propane are likely the culprits. Both propane and butane are supposed to be purified and tested to ensure that no traces of benzene reach consumers, but that does not appear to have been the case here.

3 Ways to Make Sure Your Dry Shampoo Is Benzene-Free

So, back to the question of how to tell if your dry shampoo contains benzene. Here are our suggestions:

1. Start by checking out the full list of affected brands at the link above, and then get rid of any you have at home.
2. Check the ingredients list on your dry shampoo for "butane," "isobutane," or "propane." If any of these are listed and the brand doesn't specifically state that the product is benzene-free, we would assume that it actually contains benzene and that you should get rid of it.
3. Play it safe. Only use dry shampoos that are guaranteed to be benzene-free, from brands like The Every can assure you their products are benzene-free. High-quality ingredients are more expensive than low-quality ones, and complying with regulations and conducting the necessary tests is also more expensive than ignoring them and simply hoping for the best. We’re not saying that all budget brands and products are bad—but make sure you don’t sacrifice your health just to save a few dollars.

Stay safe: only let the people you truly trust into your life—and into your hair

If you’re upset and frustrated about the presence of benzene in dry shampoos and other hair care products, we understand. If you’re a little hesitant to use dry shampoo again, don’t be! Just be sure to follow our advice and always use benzene-free dry shampoos, like The Everys.