Benzene Detected in Dozens of Dry Shampoo Products
Last Updated on December 13, 2023
Investigation Complete
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org have finished their investigation into this matter.
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Case Update
- January 12, 2023 - Investigation Closed, Lawsuits Filed
- The attorneys have closed their investigation into the dry shampoo benzene issue and several lawsuits have been filed against companies including L’Oreal and OGX. The lawsuits are still ongoing and should any significant updates become available, they will be posted to this page.
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At A Glance
- This Alert Affects:
- Anyone who purchased one of the dry shampoo products listed on this page.
- What’s Going On?
- Dozens of dry shampoo products have been found to contain high levels of benzene, a known human carcinogen, and attorneys are investigating whether a class action lawsuit can be filed against the manufacturers.
- What Is Benzene?
- Benzene is a chemical that is known to cause cancer and other health problems in humans. Research has suggested that because of benzene’s toxicity, there is “no safe level of exposure” to it.
- How Could a Class Action Help?
- A class action lawsuit could help consumers get back some of the money they spent on the hair products or force the manufacturers to change how they make or advertise their dry shampoo.
Attorneys working with ClassAction.org are looking into whether a class action lawsuit can be filed in light of recent test results showing that dozens of dry shampoo products contain benzene, a human carcinogen.
The tests, performed by independent laboratory Valisure, suggest that some of the products contain as much as 170 times the federal limit for benzene in drugs. Because of benzene’s toxicity, even low exposure to it can lead to cancer, and relevant research has suggested that there is likely “no safe level of exposure” to the toxic chemical.
Benzene Detected in Dozens of Dry Shampoo Products
Valisure, an independent laboratory who has been analyzing consumer products for benzene since late 2020, reported on November 1 that it had tested samples of dry shampoo products across 34 brands and found that 70 percent of the samples contained “quantifiable levels of benzene.”
Benzene is known to cause cancer in humans, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed it among a group of chemicals banned from use in drug products because of their “unacceptable toxicity.” The FDA states that if benzene’s presence in a drug is “unavoidable,” its levels must be restricted to only 2 parts per million (ppm).
Valisure’s testing found that some dry shampoo spray samples contained up to 170 times the FDA’s “emergency” limit, the “highest and most broadly detected” levels of benzene that the lab has ever observed in a consumer product.
The company’s CEO noted that these results are “cause for significant concern” since dry shampoo products are normally used indoors and can remain in the air for long periods of time, increasing the risk of exposure by inhalation.
In light of these concerns, Valisure filed a citizen petition with the FDA calling on the agency to request a recall of the contaminated dry shampoo products.
Which Products Are Under Investigation?
The following dry shampoo products were found by Valisure to contain benzene. Click on the brand name to view the individual hair products.
dpHUE
- Apple Cider Vinegar Dry Shampoo, 1 oz, 5 oz
Garnier Fructis
- Texturizing Invisible Dry Shampoo Beach Tonic, 3.67 oz
Klorane
- Dry Shampoo with Nettle Oil Control - Oily Hair, 3.2 oz
- Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Ultra Gentle - All Hair Types, 1 oz
- Dry Shampoo with Oat Milk Ultra Gentle - Dark Hair, 3.2 oz
OGX
- Extra Strength Dry Shampoo Coconut Miracle Oil, 5 oz
- Extra Strength Dry Shampoo Argan Oil of Morocco, 5 oz
Pureology
- Style + Protect Refresh & Go Dry Shampoo, 1.2 oz, 5.3 oz
Redken
- Deep Clean Dry Shampoo, 5 oz
Sebastian
- Dry Clean Only Dry Shampoo, 4.9 oz
Health Risks of Benzene Exposure
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), benzene causes the cells in your body to not work correctly and can lead to cancer and other health hazards.
Long-term exposure to benzene can cause the following problems, per the CDC:
- Cancer, including leukemia
- Anemia, caused by a decrease in red blood cells
- Excessive bleeding
- Immune system damage
- Irregular menstrual periods and a decrease in ovary size in women
- Low birth weights, delayed bone formation and bone marrow damage in pregnant animals
How Could a Lawsuit Help?
A class action lawsuit could help consumers get back some of the money they spent on the dry shampoo products and possibly force the manufacturers to change how they make or advertise the products.
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