More Than 30 Dry Shampoos and Conditioners Are Being Recalled Over Benzene Concerns

Procter & Gamble has announced the voluntary recall of numerous dry shampoos and dry conditioners from several of its brands following tests that revealed the presence of benzene. The known carcinogen was found in more than 30 aerosol sprays in those specific hair-product categories from Pantene, Aussie, Herbal Essences, Waterless, Old Spice, and Hair Food, though “the levels detected in our testing would not be expected to cause adverse health consequences,” according to a statement from P&G. The company says it is conducting the recall out of an abundance of caution and has not received any reports of adverse events related to benzene in its dry shampoos and conditioners. 

Benzene is a naturally occurring chemical found in volcanoes and forest fires, and “a natural part of crude oil, gasoline, and cigarette smoke,” according to the CDC, which says that most people are exposed to it every day due to the air we breathe containing low levels from tobacco smoke, motor vehicle exhaust, and industrial emissions. Commonly used in the production of plastics and detergents and found in glue and paint, benzene is not an intentional ingredient in personal-care products. P&G recognizes in its statement that exposure to benzene can occur by inhalation, orally, and through the skin, and it can lead to cancers, including leukemia and blood cancer of the bone marrow, as well as blood disorders.

“Following recent reports that indicated traces of benzene in some aerosol spray products, we began a review of our total portfolio of aerosol products,” P&G’s statement reads. “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.”

Recent reports of benzene in some aerosol spray products include those from Johnson & Johnson, which, in July 2021, issued a voluntary recall for several Neutrogena and Aveeno sunscreen sprays. Like P&G, J&J said the recall was being done out of an abundance of caution.

“I’m not worried about trace amounts of benzene,” dermatologist and associate clinical professor at Yale School of Medicine, Macrene Alexiades, M.D., previously told Allure. “What I am worried about is benzene levels of over 6 ppm, exceeding three times the maximum allowable. That is very worrisome and very carcinogenic when applied to large skin surface areas,” she says. Dr. Alexiades adds that because benzene is a very volatile solvent, it can penetrate the cell membrane very quickly and easily, so if you have it on the skin surface, it is able to easily reach the bloodstream.