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Between 2021 and 2022, several major dry shampoo brands were recalled after independent testing and FDA review found elevated levels of benzene in their aerosol products. Unilever voluntarily recalled dry shampoo aerosols under the Dove, Nexxus, TRESemmé, Suave, and TIGI Bed Head brands in October 2021, affecting 1.55 million or more cases. Batiste, made by Church & Dwight, faced separate benzene findings and subsequent litigation. Bloomberg reported in October 2022 that benzene had been detected in multiple aerosol dry shampoo brands tested independently by a pharmaceutical consulting firm.
Benzene is a known human carcinogen. FDA has stated there is no safe level of benzene exposure from drug products. The problem in aerosol dry shampoos is not the active ingredients but the propellant: butane, propane, and related hydrocarbons used to push product from the can can be contaminated with benzene as an impurity.
The cleanest path away from this risk is non-aerosol format. Powder dry shampoos don't use propellants. This guide covers the EWG VERIFIED® and EWG Skin Deep-rated dry shampoos that skip the aerosol entirely, or that have explicitly marketed themselves as benzene-free.
Building out a cleaner hair care and personal care routine? See our EWG VERIFIED® shampoo picks and our guide to non-toxic deodorant top-rated by EWG.
Which Brands Were Recalled for Benzene in Dry Shampoo?
For reference, the brands subject to FDA recall actions or voluntary recalls for benzene in aerosol dry shampoos:
| Brand | Parent Company | Recall Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Dove | Unilever | Voluntary recall Oct 2021; elevated benzene in propellant |
| Batiste | Church & Dwight | Independent testing found benzene; $2.5M class action settlement |
| Nexxus | Unilever | Same Unilever recall Oct 2021 |
| TRESemmé | Unilever | Same Unilever recall Oct 2021 |
| Suave | Unilever | Same Unilever recall Oct 2021 |
| TIGI Bed Head & Rockaholic | Unilever | Same Unilever recall Oct 2021 |
Sources: FDA recall announcement (fda.gov); Bloomberg, October 2022. The recall covered products manufactured before October 2021. Current products from these brands may differ; check the FDA recall database and current product labeling before use.
Dry Shampoo Without Benzene: EWG-Rated Alternatives
1. MONDAY Haircare Original Dry Shampoo, SLS and Benzene-Free, 200 mL: EWG Skin Deep Rated
MONDAY Haircare explicitly markets this product as SLS-free and benzene-free, and it is listed in EWG's Skin Deep® database. EWG rates it in the Moderate Hazard range (verify the current score at ewg.org/skindeep/products/7151300 before purchasing, as ratings can update). MONDAY's dry shampoo is an aerosol, but the brand has specifically formulated it to exclude benzene as a contaminant, which is the relevant distinction after the recall period. At roughly $8, it's the most accessible price point in this list.
MONDAY positions this as a mainstream alternative in the space left by recalled brands. For consumers who prefer aerosol application and want a brand that has explicitly addressed the benzene issue, MONDAY is the current market option with an EWG Skin Deep listing.
EWG Status: EWG Skin Deep rated (Moderate Hazard; verify current rating at ewg.org/skindeep/products/7151300)
Format: Aerosol spray (benzene-free by brand claim)
Size: 200 mL
Key free-froms: Benzene-free, SLS-free
Best for: Aerosol preference, accessible price point, mass-retail availability
MONDAY Haircare Original Dry Shampoo 200mL: Buy on Amazon ↗
Also Worth Knowing: Primally Pure Natural Dry Shampoo
Primally Pure makes a Natural Dry Shampoo in two variants for different hair tones: Light Locks (arrowroot powder and kaolin clay base) and Dark Locks (with cocoa powder added for brunette hair tones). Both are rated Low Hazard in EWG's Skin Deep® database, and neither uses aerosol propellants. Primally Pure products are not currently available on Amazon. You can find both variants at primallypure.com.
EWG Skin Deep URLs for reference: Light Locks at ewg.org/skindeep/products/966828; Dark Locks at ewg.org/skindeep/products/966821. Spot-check current ratings before purchase.
Why Non-Aerosol Format Matters for Benzene Risk
The benzene contamination in recalled dry shampoos wasn't in the active ingredients; it was in the aerosol propellant. Butane and propane, used as propellants in aerosol cans, can contain benzene as an impurity introduced during the petroleum refining process. Non-aerosol powder dry shampoos don't use these propellants. The benzene-contamination risk specific to aerosol propellants doesn't apply to them.
This doesn't mean powder dry shampoos are inherently superior in all other respects. Ingredient quality varies by brand and should be evaluated on its own merits, which is where EWG's Skin Deep® database is useful. But for the specific benzene concern that drove the 2021–2022 recalls, format is the most direct solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are current Dove and Batiste dry shampoos safe from benzene?
The 2021 Unilever recall covered products manufactured before October 2021. Current products from these brands are reformulated, and Unilever has not issued a new recall for current stock. However, given that the recall covered such a broad portfolio, many consumers searching for dry shampoo without benzene prefer to switch brands rather than trust reformulated products from the same manufacturers. That decision is individual to each consumer.
Q: What is MONDAY Haircare's actual EWG Skin Deep score?
MONDAY Haircare Original Dry Shampoo is listed in EWG's Skin Deep® database and is rated in the Moderate Hazard range. We were unable to confirm the exact numeric score from our research (ewg.org returns 403 on direct fetch). Verify the current rating directly at ewg.org/skindeep/products/7151300 before purchasing.
Q: Does EWG VERIFIED® mean a product is free of benzene?
EWG VERIFIED® status means a product's full ingredient list has been reviewed against EWG's Unacceptable list and passes EWG's standards for hazard and disclosure. Benzene is not a listed ingredient in dry shampoos; it's a contaminant in aerosol propellants. The most direct protection against propellant-contamination benzene is non-aerosol powder format. EWG's rating reflects ingredient review, not contaminant testing of the finished product.
Q: How do I use powder dry shampoo if I'm switching from aerosol?
Apply a small amount of powder directly to the roots of hair, work it in with your fingertips for 30–60 seconds, then shake or brush out any visible residue. Some users find tapping the brush against their hand first distributes the powder more evenly. The technique takes one or two tries to get right but produces similar volume and oil-absorption results to aerosol versions.
