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Valisure Petitions FDA to Recall Dry Shampoos
Valisure petitioned the FDA for recalls on dry shampoos after research in an independent lab found that nearly 70% of samples tested had concerning levels of a cancer-causing chemical, benzene.
Last month, Unilever North America voluntarily recalled multiple dry shampoo products, citing the presence of benzene in the propellant as the primary source. Since then, Valisure LLC, an independent lab in New Haven, Connecticut, has investigated 34 different dry shampoo brands, finding excessive benzene concentrations in nearly 70% of the tested samples. The company then petitioned the FDA to recall their dry shampoos and reassess regulations.
It is very well known that benzene exposure is correlated with an increased risk of leukemia and other cancers, such as multiple myeloma and non-Hodgkin lymphoma. This discovery of benzene in cosmetic products means that a large portion of the population may have unknowingly been exposed to the chemical at higher levels. Although the FDA has been supporting the voluntary recall by Unilever, it begs the question, how many other products on the market aren’t meeting the recommended guidelines? Valisure attempted to answer this question by conducting independent tests on different dry shampoo brands.
In the petition, the organization states, “Valisure found multiple dry shampoo products that contain levels of benzene that significantly surpass the 2 ppm conditional FDA restriction for drugs. However, the dry shampoos tested are not drugs and contain no active pharmaceutical ingredient for a therapeutic purpose; therefore, any significant detection of benzene could be deemed unacceptable.”
Beyond simply finding benzene in the propellant, the lab also noted that the benzene lingered in the air by sampling contaminated air. This is indicative of long-term exposure for those using the product.
In the petition, the lab calls on the FDA to recall the batches of dry shampoo tested and found to contain benzene. These include batches from brands such as Not Your Mother’s, Paul Mitchell, Sun Bum, Batiste, dp Hue, OGX, San de Janeira, Redken, Sebastian, Klorane, IGK, CHI, Garnier Fructis, Pureology, Amika, Hask, Drybar, Biolage, Eva NYC, Kristin Ess, Bumble and Bumble, Cake, L’Oreal, and Kerastase.
Additionally, the company calls on the FDA to review and update the regulations for cosmetics products, share recall information with the public, and set additional guidelines for the analysis of benzene in dry shampoo, among other requests. The complete petition is available online.
As it stands, cosmetics products and their ingredients do not need premarket FDA approval, except those that use color additives. It is clear that the cosmetic regulation guidelines need to be reassessed to keep consumers safe and minimize health risks, especially given the risks involved with third-party, online sellers.
