Which dry shampoo is best—and safe?

beauty self-care Nov 14, 2022

In recent months, certain dry shampoo products have been recalled due to their elevating cancer risk. So you may be wondering, Which dry shampoo is best—and safe?

This article—and the above video of a D-Tox Academy workshop—teaches you the key things you should know about how to find the best nontoxic dry shampoo.  

Why was dry shampoo recalled?

Dry shampoo was recalled due to cancer risk from benzene, a cancer-causing compound that the World Health Organization has found no safe exposure levels of.

What should you know about the dry shampoo recall?

Certain dry shampoo products can expose you to unsafe levels of benzene.

Are all dry shampoos dangerous?

No, not all dry shampoos have been recalled or are necessarily harmful. But not all dry shampoos have been tested and it's hard to track which ones are safe. So consumers should be mindful when using dry shampoos!

Which dry shampoo has been recalled?

According to reports by the Washington Post and CNN, examples of popular brands affected by the recall include:

  • Aveeno
  • Banana Boat sunscreens
  • Coppertone sunscreens
  • Procter & Gamble
  • Johnson & Johnson
  • Neutrogena
  • TRESemmé and Bed Head dry shampoos
  • Unilever 

What can we learn from this dry shampoo recall?

As conscious consumers trying to buy practical nontoxic products, there are many lessons to learn from the dry shampoo recall. Below are a few.

  1. Aerosol products are risky—not just because of potential benzene exposure but because inhaling the other product ingredients poses unknown risks. Not all aerosol products are necessarily harmful but it's hard to know which ones are safe. 
  2. Read product ingredients for isobutane and propane
  3. Use powdered dry shampoo that has a low hazard rating from the Environmental Working Group. 
  4. Sophia's book A to Z of D-Toxing profiles both benzene and aerosol products as Household Repeat Offenders, where you can learn more about how to notice them in countless consumer products. Examples of where you might find benzene include:
    1. Air fresheners
    2. Antiperspirants
    3. Deodorants
    4. Foot sprays
    5. Hair sprays
    6. Hand sanitizers
    7. Paint sprays
    8. Sunscreens

Which dry shampoo is Sophia's favorite?

To learn which is Sophia's favorite dry shampoo (and her other household products), join Ruan Living's D-Tox Academy. You'll also access other empowering workshops and shortcuts to finding practical nontoxic products.

Remember: Small detox tweaks can transform!

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About Ruan Living

Ruan Living simplifies a nontoxic lifestyle through its Practical Nontoxic Living podcast, free detox workshops, online D-Tox Academy, and transformative 40-Day Home Detox. It aims to help you avoid toxic chemicals, heavy metals, and electromagnetic fields (EMFs) from what you buy, own, and do— without compromising your joy and convenience. Ruan was founded by Sophia Ruan Gushée, author of the bestselling critically acclaimed book A to Z of D-Toxing: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Toxic Exposures and several detox workbooks. A graduate of Brown University and Columbia Business School, Sophia has served on the Brown University School of Public Health Advisory Council and Well+Good Council. A popular nontoxic living speaker, consultant, and teacher, Sophia lives in New York City with her husband and three daughters. Her passion for empowering others to enjoy nontoxic living began with the birth of her first daughter in 2007. Everything she creates is a love letter to her children and for the healthiest, brightest future possible. You can learn more here: Sophia’s Impact.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. This information is provided “as is” without warranty.

It is not, nor is it intended to be, a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment and should never be relied upon for specific medical advice. We do not offer medical advice, course of treatment, diagnosis, or any other opinion on your conditions or treatment options. To the extent that this article features the advice of physicians or medical practitioners, the views expressed are the views of the cited expert and do not necessarily represent the views of Ruan Living.

In no event will Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living be liable for any damages or loss of any kind resulting from the use of this website. Anyone relying upon or making use of the information on this website does so at his or her own risk.

Some of the services and products recommended on this website provide compensation to Sophia Ruan Gushee or Ruan Living. All recommendations are based foremost upon an honest belief that the product, service, or site will benefit our site visitors in some way.  

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