What to Avoid When Shopping for Dry Shampoo

You're standing in the hair care aisle (or more likely, scrolling through pages of dry shampoo options online) trying to figure out which one to buy. 

Every brand claims to be the best, most effective, gentlest formula on the market. But how do you actually know what you're getting?

The ingredient list is long, full of unpronounceable names, and unless you have a chemistry degree, it's hard to tell what's fine and what you should probably avoid. Some ingredients are perfectly safe. Others? Well, they're worth knowing about before you make them part of your regular routine.

Not all dry shampoos are created equal. Some contain ingredients that have been linked to health concerns, particularly with repeated use. Understanding what to look for—and what to avoid—helps you make better choices for your scalp health.

As a hair care brand focused on clean formulations and scalp health, we believe in transparency. We want you to be informed about what goes into the products you use regularly, whether you choose Aliis or another brand.

And remember, this isn't about achieving perfection or memorizing a list of chemical compounds. It's about being informed enough to make choices that work for you.

What Dermatologists and Hair Care Experts Flag

Formaldehyde-Releasing Preservatives

What they are: These preservatives go by several names on ingredient lists: DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, and quaternium-15. If you see any of these listed, you're looking at a formaldehyde-releasing preservative.

Why they're used: They prevent bacterial and fungal growth in the product, extend shelf life, and keep the formula stable over time. From a manufacturing standpoint, they're effective and relatively inexpensive.

Why you might want to avoid them: These preservatives release small amounts of formaldehyde over time. Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen, and while the amounts released are small, exposure adds up with regular use. 

When you're spraying dry shampoo near your face and scalp multiple times per week, that repeated exposure becomes relevant. Additionally, formaldehyde can be released as a gas when you heat-style your hair after application.

Many dermatologists recommend avoiding these preservatives, particularly for products used regularly near the face. There are safer preservative alternatives available that don't carry the same concerns.

Talc

What it is: Talc is a mineral powder that absorbs moisture and oil. It's one of the cheapest oil-absorbing ingredients available, which is why it appears in so many dry shampoos and other cosmetic products.

Why it's used: It's extremely effective at absorbing sebum, it's inexpensive, and it's been used in cosmetics for decades. From a performance standpoint, talc works well at what it's meant to do.

Why you might want to avoid it: Talc has been linked to cancer concerns, particularly with regular inhalation. It can also be contaminated with asbestos during the mining process. When you're spraying dry shampoo, the particles become airborne and can be inhaled… and you're doing this near your face multiple times per week.

Many clean beauty advocates recommend talc-free options, particularly for products that are applied near the face. Plant-based alternatives exist that work just as well without the associated concerns.

Aluminum Compounds

What they are: You might see aluminum starch, aluminum powder, or other aluminum-based ingredients listed. They're used primarily for oil absorption.

Why they're used: Aluminum compounds are effective at absorbing oil and sweat, which helps extend the time between washes. They're a common ingredient in many absorbent personal care products.

Why you might want to avoid them: Aluminum has been linked to potential health concerns with long-term use. It's absorbed through the skin over time, and there are questions about its connection to kidney and brain health. While research is ongoing, many people prefer to avoid aluminum in products they use regularly.

There's been a growing movement toward aluminum-free personal care products, particularly for items used daily or multiple times per week.

Parabens & Phthalates

What they are: These are common preservatives and fragrance ingredients found in many cosmetics and personal care products. Parabens often appear as methylparaben, propylparaben, or butylparaben. Phthalates are frequently hidden under the generic term "fragrance."

Why they're used: They're inexpensive preservatives that help products last longer on shelves. Phthalates stabilize fragrances and help scents last longer in formulations.

Why you might want to avoid them: Both parabens and phthalates have been linked to hormone disruption. Phthalates in particular are associated with developmental concerns. Your scalp absorbs what you put on it, and with repeated use, these ingredients can accumulate in your system.

Many dermatologists now recommend paraben-free products, particularly for items used daily or multiple times per week. Since phthalates are often hidden in "fragrance," they can be harder to spot, which brings us to our next ingredient to watch for.

Synthetic Fragrances

What they are: These are chemical compounds used to create scents. On ingredient lists, they often appear simply as "fragrance" or "parfum," which can hide dozens of unlisted chemicals.

Why they're used: Synthetic fragrances create appealing scents, mask unpleasant ingredient smells, and are less expensive than natural fragrance alternatives. They're also more stable and last longer in formulations.

Why you might want to avoid them: When you see "fragrance" on a label, you have no way to know what chemicals are actually included. That single word can represent dozens of different compounds. Synthetic fragrances have been linked to allergies, skin irritation, headaches, and hormone disruption.

Experts recommend looking for products that specify "natural fragrance" or list specific essential oils rather than using the generic "fragrance" or "parfum" designation. If you have sensitivities, fragrance-free options are your safest bet.

How to Read a Dry Shampoo Label Like a Pro

So, what do you do when you’re shopping and you don’t want to have this blog pulled up on your phone the whole time? Here’s your cheat sheet for making the most of ingredient labels.

The Basics

Ingredients are listed by concentration, from highest to lowest. The first five to seven ingredients make up the bulk of the product. Everything after that is usually less than 1% of the formula. This means the first several ingredients matter most.

Red Flag Ingredients (Quick Reference)

When scanning a dry shampoo label, watch for:

• DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, quaternium-15
• Talc
• Aluminum compounds (aluminum starch, aluminum powder)
• Parabens (methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben)
• Phthalates (often hidden in "fragrance")
• Generic "fragrance" or "parfum" without specification

Green Flag Ingredients (What You Want to See Instead)

Look for dry shampoos that use:

• Plant-based absorbers: rice starch, corn starch, tapioca starch
• Natural oils: coconut oil, argan oil, baobab oil, meadowfoam seed oil
• Adaptogens: ashwagandha, gotu kola
• Natural preservatives: tocopherol (vitamin E), plant extracts
• Specific essential oils listed by name (rather than generic "fragrance")

Helpful Resources for Ingredient Research

If you want to dive deeper into specific ingredients, these resources can help:

• EWG Skin Deep database
• SkinSAFE
• Mamavation
• Think Dirty app

These platforms rate ingredients based on safety concerns and can help you understand what you're looking at on a label.

Understanding "Free-From" Claims

Labels that say "talc-free," "paraben-free," or "aluminum-free" are helpful starting points. But always check the actual ingredient list. What matters is both what isn't in the product and what is included instead.

Why These Ingredients Matter for Your Scalp Health

Your scalp is skin, and it deserves the same care you give the rest of your skincare routine. Unlike rinse-off products, dry shampoo sits on your scalp until your next wash, often one to three days. That's extended exposure time.

The Frequency Factor

Most people use dry shampoo two to four times per week. That's over 100 applications per year. Repeated exposure to questionable ingredients compounds over time. Small amounts matter when it's regular use.

The Absorption Issue

Your scalp has a high absorption rate, especially if you have any irritation or sensitivity. Additionally, when you spray dry shampoo, particles become airborne and can be inhaled. Products applied near the face require extra scrutiny for this reason.

The Long Game

Hair care is a long-term routine. What you use today affects your scalp health tomorrow, next month, and years down the line. Building healthy habits now pays off over time. Clean ingredients support, rather than compromise, scalp health.

Dry Shampoo Done Right

The good news? You don't need questionable ingredients to make effective dry shampoo. 

Plant-based alternatives work just as well—often better—than conventional formulations. Clean dry shampoos can support scalp health while refreshing your hair between washes.

When shopping for dry shampoo, look for formulations that nourish while they absorb, ingredients you recognize and can pronounce, brands that are transparent about what goes in (and what stays out), and products designed with scalp health in mind.

At Aliis, we formulated our Dry Shampoo to avoid the ingredients experts flag. No formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, no talc, no aluminum, no parabens.

Instead, we use plant-based ingredients that support scalp health. Our formula goes on clear, absorbs oil effectively, and includes adaptogens like ashwagandha and gotu kola. Because your between-wash solution should work with your scalp, not against it.

Being informed helps you make better choices. Ready to try dry shampoo formulated with clean ingredients? Shop Aliis Dry Shampoo here.