Consumer-goods company Unilever is recalling a slew of dry shampoos that were distributed nationwide because they might contain benzene, a harmful cancer-causing chemical. The recalled aerosol dry shampoo sprays were produced before October 2021 and involve several popular brands: Dove, Suave, Nexxus, TRESemmé, and TIGI's Rockaholic and Bed Head.
Me, having a gallon of recalled Dove dry shampoo in my hair: pic.twitter.com/o5kAW5uLKV
— Devon Stiles (@devonstiles) October 25, 2022
Carcinogenic ingredients like benzene can lead to blood cancer and leukemia, according to the recall. Exposure can occur orally, through the skin, or by inhalation.
Unilever's recall isn't the first of its kind. Last year, Procter & Gamble issued a recall involving benzene that included more than 30 aerosol hair care products, including dry shampoos and conditioners. Old Spice and Secret issued similar recalls last year for some aerosol spray deodorant products with high levels of benzene.
The Food and Drug Administration is urging consumers to stop using the recalled shampoos and visit unileverrecall.com for information about reimbursement. Recalled products include Dove Dry Shampoo Fresh Coconut, Dove Dry Shampoo Volume and Fullness, Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Refresh and Revive, and Nexxus Dry Shampoo Refreshing Mist, among others. A complete list is available online.