If you haven’t already heard, many big name hair care companies have been forced to recall a variety of their aerosol dry shampoos due to the high levels of Benzene discovered in these products.
These studies were the latest in a string of testing done by Connecticut based laboratory, Valisure. This cancer-causing agent first caused nationwide recalls in December of 2021 from companies such as Unilever and Procter & Gamble. Valisure’s most recent study tested 148 patches from 34 different brands of spray-on dry shampoo still stocked in stores, discovering dangerous amounts of Benzene in 70% of products tested.
Who Was Tested This Time?
Among the companies found to contain the chemical were big names like Church & Dwight's Batiste and DeMert Brands Not Your Mother's. That’s not all, in the beginning of November Valisure took their efforts a step further by officially petitioning the FDA requesting the recall of any and all products proved to contain Benzene.
What is Benzene? Why is it Dangerous?
Benzene is a colorless or light-yellow liquid chemical at room temperature. It has been used primarily as a solvent in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries and is known to cause cancer in humans. Trace levels of benzene may be found in cigarette smoke, gasoline, glues, adhesives, cleaning products, and paint strippers, and it is a known contaminant in the petroleum industry.
The FDA currently recognizes the serious danger of benzene and lists it as a “Class 1 solvent” that “should not be employed in the manufacture of drug substances, excipients, and drug products because of their unacceptable toxicity. Exposure to Benzene can result in cancers including leukemia and cancer of the bone marrow, as well as life-threatening blood disorders, health officials say.
Avoiding The Wrong Ingredients
This current mishap exemplifies yet again the importance of knowing what ingredients are in your hair and skin care products, as well as the necessity of thorough and comprehensive testing.
At Original Sprout, all of our products are put through the most rigorous and detailed testing to ensure that they are 100% safe and effective to use on your hair and skin. Additionally, products like our Classic Shampoo and Leave-in Conditioner help keep your hair clean and healthy, removing the need for aerosol dry shampoos!
Keeping An Eye Out
Want to keep your finger on the pulse of this issue and stay aware of which products to avoid? You can read Valisure’s full write up here, and check in with their newsroom for any updates about their testing, the petition to the FDA, and much more!