A new study adds to concerns that over-the-counter products such as dry shampoos may present previously undetected health issues. Here’s everything you need to know.
Dry shampoos contain cancer-causing agents
A recent independent study reveals popular dry shampoos including Church & Dwight Co.’s Batiste, and Not Your Mother’s contain high levels of benzene. This led to Uniliver yanking its products from stores in October. Valisure, an analytical laboratory based in New Haven, Connecticut tested 148 batches of spray-on dry shampoos across 34 brands. The study found 70 percent contained benzene, an agent notorious for causing blood cancer. The firm filed a petition with the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), asking it to recall products with the cancer-causing agent.
The study is adding to the concerns that over-the-counter products sold in grocery stores and pharmacies may present undetected health problems. Over the last year, the lab found benzene in several popular spray hand sanitizers, sunscreen, and antiperspirants. Stores are pulling the products from their shelves as manufacturers and regulators are trying to see if the impurities are slipping unnoticed.
Which products contain benzene?
The highest levels of benzene were present among dry shampoos, especially Not Your Mother’s. The brand is famous for glorifying its “clean, quality ingredients”. The levels were significantly higher as per the study’s results. Other brands such as Sun Bum, Batiste and John Paul Mitchell Systems also had elevated levels. However, Valusure’s petition did not include dry shampoos from Dove, Bell Head, and Suave. They have been recalled for evaluation.
When asked if the products were tested for Batiste, a Church & Dwight spokesperson stated it was confirmed with their ingredient suppliers and the product did not include the cancer-causing agent. However, other brands under scrutiny did not comment. “Dry shampoo is not a product you use one time and are done with it. A lot of people use it once a day, or a few times a week,” stated David Light. Light is the CEO of Valisure. “We had seen significant amounts of benzene in Unilever products before they went on recall,” he added.