Whether you’re in between wash days or short on time to get rid of greasy hair, dry shampoo is an absolute hair essential when it comes to looking and feeling more presentable when you need a quick fix. Once revered as a holy grail product, the usage of dry shampoo has recently become a subject of concern. Is there a way to extend your wash days without damaging your hair, and crucially, prevent exposure to harmful chemicals? USA TODAY asked two experts to weigh in on the topic to clarify dry shampoo’s impact on hair health, and to address the truth behind the potential dangers of the product’s ingredients. 

Is dry shampoo bad for you?

Not strictly. The purpose of dry shampoo is to absorb the excess build-up of oil and dirt in your scalp that accumulates throughout the day, but sometimes it can work too well, says Dr. Mamina Turegano, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist, internist and dermatopathologist. The natural oils you produce on your head are what nourishes your skin barrier and hair follicles — these are essential to having healthy, shiny hair, Turegano tells USA TODAY.  

“If you’re disrupting that purpose of the oil, you can have more dry hair than you want,” she says. Another common side effect linked to the use of dry shampoo is an imbalanced skin barrier, which can lead to irritation and inflammation. This especially rings true if you have an allergy to some alcohol-based ingredients, Turegano adds. 

How often should you use dry shampoo?

While there’s no set rule of how often is too often when it comes to using dry shampoo, Turegano recommends not using it more than twice a week. “I think it’s okay to use here and there,” she says, “although it’s not something that I think people should rely on.” 

There’s another downside to using dry shampoo to extend the length of time between wash days. An oily, greasy scalp can leave you vulnerable to developing seborrheic dermatitis, also known as dandruff, explains Turegano. Dandruff exacerbates inflammation of the scalp, which can manifest as itching or redness, and in extreme cases may lead to hair loss, according to Healthline. So, while there have been no studies directly linking the use of dry shampoo to hair loss, Turegano suggests it “indirectly can play a role” if you keep spreading apart the times between hair washes. 

Is dry shampoo safe?

“There’s nothing inherently bad about dry shampoo. In most dry shampoos, the ingredients are quite safe,” says Dr. Abigail Waldman, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston and an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. However, the greatest concern around some aerosol dry shampoos is the presence of benzene, which is a petroleum chemical that is released when the product is sprayed, Waldman explains. 

According to the CDC, benzene is a carcinogenic substance that causes cancer over long periods of exposure. In 2022, the U.S. Food & Drug Administration announced a voluntary recall on a number of dry shampoo products from Unilever due to possible benzene contamination. In August 2023, household brand Batiste Dry Shampoo settled a $2.5 million lawsuit over the potential detection of benzene in select dry shampoo products. Ultimately, Batiste’s parent company, Church & Dwight Co., offered compensation to customers who purchased any Batiste product before May 2023. 

Where can I find non-toxic dry shampoo?

There are many non-toxic, benzene-free dry shampoos, both spray and powder, available on today’s market. While you should always do your research before purchasing a new product, Waldman suggests you may be better off opting for a dry shampoo that comes in the form of a powder, because “the safest ones are the ones that aren’t aerosolized,” she says. 

Turegano adds, “If you’re looking for a dry shampoo, try looking for something that is a bit more minimal in ingredients.”

More:The main cause of dandruff is probably not what you think. Here’s what it is.

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