Updated January 2018
Formaldehyde in hair straightening products is still a common problem affecting the health of both stylists and their clients. Despite the public attention this issue has gotten, there has been no subsequent regulation of these products in the United States, and numerous potentially harmful products remain on the market here. (In contrast, dozens of brands have been banned in the European Union, Canada and Australia for containing excessive (and illegal) levels of formaldehyde.)
In response to continued demand, we have updated our list of hair straightening products that contain formaldehyde which we have posted on our website since 2014 (link to information published in 2014).
While there has been limited testing conducted on these products in recent years, there has been some greater attention on enforcing compliance with safety data sheet laws. In response manufacturers are more frequently admitting both the presence and hazards caused by the formaldehyde contained in their products.
In the last year, we conducted a survey of hair straightening products, asking manufacturers for their safety data sheets (SDSs). In some cases, the manufacturers would not provide these documents to us, while other others offered them freely on their website or sent us a copy after a simple request. Below is the information we have compiled on products currently available in the U.S. market. NOTE: Products not mentioned on this list should not be assumed to be formaldehyde-free – they are products for which we could not obtain or confirm information about their formaldehyde status.
Hair Straighteners that Contain or Release Formaldehyde
Products that currently contain or release formaldehyde according to Safety Data Sheets (SDS) released to Women’s Voices for the Earth by the manufacturer in 2017.
| Brand/Manufacturer | Product Name | % Formaldehyde according to SDS and/or government testing | SDS warning language | Link to/ filename for SDS* | Link to information on testing results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advantage Products | Advantage Brazilian 24 hrs Keratin Treatment | 2010 SDS states: Formaldehyde 0.1-1.0% | SDS Link | ||
| Advantage Products | Advantage™ Brazilian Keratin Treatment w/Argan Oil | 2010 SDS states: Formaldehyde 0.1-1.0% | “Product contains formaldehyde which is known to irritate skin and eyes when direct contact and prolonged exposition occurs.” | SDS link | |
| BioNaza Cosmetics | KeraHair – Premiere Brazilian Keratin System | 2011 SDS states: Formaldehyde (.1%-.3%); 0.7-2.6% Formaldehyde detected in 2013 EU Testing | Testing Results | ||
| BioNaza Cosmetics | Choco Hair – Brazilian Keratin Chocolate | 2011 SDS states: Formaldehyde (.1%-.3%) 1.4-1.8% Formaldehyde detected in 2013 EU Testing | Testing Results | ||
| BioNaza Cosmetics | Diamond – Premiere Brazilian Keratin System | 2011 SDS claims 100% Formaldehyde free; 0.8 – 1.7% Formaldehyde detected in 2013 EU Testing | Testing Results | ||
| BioNaza Cosmetics | KeraVino Premiere Brazilian Keratin System | 2011 SDS states: Formaldehyde (.1%-.3%); 0.9-1.6% Formaldehyde detected in 2013 EU Testing | Testing Results | ||
| Brazillian Blowout | Brazillian Blowout Acai Professional Smoothing Solution Brazillian Blowout Solution | 2013 SDS states: Methylene Glycol 3-7%; 2010 Oregon OSHA Testing detected 8% formaldehyde | “Warning! Product releases formaldehyde (gas), a suspected carcinogen.” | ||
| Cadiveu | Plastica dos Fios (2014) | 2014 SDS states: Methylene Glycol (.1-3%); 7.7% formaldehyde detected in 2013 EU testing | “The use of methylene glycol/formaldehyde at 0.2% formaldehyde equivalent is not considered safe in hair straighteners.” | ||
| Diora Professional | Keratherapy Color Lock and Smooth Keratin Treatment Spray | 2015 SDS states: Formaldehyde <2.0% | “Health Hazard H350: May cause cancer.” | SDS Link | |
| Envy Professional | Trissola True Keratin Solution | 2012 SDS states: Methylene Glycol <3.0% | “WARNING! Product releases formaldehyde (gas), a suspected carcinogen.” | SDS Link | |
| Keratin Complex | Keratin Complex Smoothing Therapy | No % reported | 2016 SDS states: “While Formaldehyde (CAS Number 50-00-0) is not an ingredient of this product, Formaldehyde gas can potentially be released when final product is exposed to high temperatures.” | ||
| Keratin Complex | Keratin Complex Express Blowout | No % reported | 2016 SDS states: “While Formaldehyde (CAS Number 50-00-0) is not an ingredient of this product, Formaldehyde gas can potentially be released when final product is exposed to high temperatures.” | ||
| Keratin Express | Keratin Express Plus Smoothing Treatment | 2016 SDS states: Formaldehyde 0.1-1.0%; 2010 testing by Oregon OSHA detected 1.2% formaldehyde | “Suspected Carcinogen: This product contains formaldehyde” | SDS Link | |
| La Brasiliana | Spruzzi (MSDS) | SDS states: Formaldehyde (1-5%) | |||
| La Brasiliana | Domani (MSDS) | SDS states: Formaldehyde (1-5%) | “Product contains formaldehyde which is known to irritate skin and eyes when direct contact and prolonged exposition occurs.” | ||
| La Brasiliana | Original (MSDS) | SDS states: Formaldehyde (1-5%) | “Product contains formaldehyde which is known to irritate skin and eyes when direct contact and prolonged exposition occurs.” | ||
| Marcia Teixeira – M & M International | Chocolate, extreme de-frizzing treatment | 2012 SDS states: Methylene Glycol (<2%) | “WARNING: When used as directed, this product releases formaldehyde.” | ||
| Marcia Teixeira – M & M International | Advanced Brazilian Keratin Treatment | 2012 SDS states: Methylene Glycol (<2%) | “WARNING: When used as directed, this product releases formaldehyde.” | ||
| Marcia Teixeira – M & M International | Brazilian Keratin OriginalTreatment, Marcia Teixeira | 2012 SDS states: Methylene Glycol (<2%) | “WARNING: When used as directed, this product releases formaldehyde.” | ||
| Simply Smooth / American Culture Hair | Xtend Keratin Replenishing After Color Lock | No % reported | 2011 SDS states: “Hazardous Components: Formaldehyde. Danger, product releases formaldehyde which is a potential carcinogen.” | ||
| Van Tibolli | GK Hair Taming System with Juvexin Curly (2016) | 2016 SDS states: Methylene Glycol <2.0% | “WARNING! Product releases formaldehyde (gas), a suspected carcinogen.” | ||
| Van Tibolli | GK Hair Taming System with Juvexin Miami Bombshell (2014) | No % reported | 2014 SDS states “Carcinogen or potential carcinogen: Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen (IARC & NTP). Repeated or prolonged exposure increases the cancer risk.” | ||
| Van Tibolli | GK Hair Taming System with Juvexin Resistant (2016) | 2016 SDS states: Methylene Glycol <2.0% | “WARNING! Product releases formaldehyde (gas), a suspected carcinogen.” |
*Not all SDSs are available online. Please contact us at womensvoices@womensvoices.org if you would like additional SDS information.
Hair Straightening products currently banned in Europe and Canada due to excessive levels of formaldehyde
(The manufacturers of these products would not make Safety Data Sheets available to Women’s Voices for the Earth.)
| Brand/Manufacturer | Product Name | % Formaldehyde according to government testing | Link to testing results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Go Straight | Blowtox Keratin Treatment | 2.3% Formaldehyde detected in 2016 Testing in EU | Link to Testing Results |
| Hair Go Straight | Keratin Treatment | 2.6% Formaldehyde detected in 2013 Testing in EU | Link to Testing Results |
| Hair Go Straight | Coco Nouvelle Formula | 0.3% Formaldehyde detected in 2014 Testing in EU | Link to Testing Results |
| Inoar | Moroccan Hair Treatment | 5.39% Formaldehyde detected in 2015 Testing in EU | Link to Testing Results |
| Inoar | Inoar G-Hair | 7.0% Formaldehyde detected in 2013 Testing in EU | Link to Testing Results |
| KeraStraight | Treatment Original Formula (2010) | 2.0% Formaldehyde detected in 2010 Testing in EU | Link to Testing Results |
| Encanto de Brasil | Brazilian Keratin – Straightening Treatment and Post-Treatment Conditioner | 6.8% Formaldehyde detected in 2015 Testing in EU | Link to Testing Results |
| Rio Keratin | Brazilian Keratin Treatment Step 2 Grape Extract | 3.5% Formaldehyde detected in 2012 Testing in EU | Link to Testing Results |
| Royal Keratin Professional Line by Keratin Connection | Brazilian Keratin Treatment in Mint, Chocolate, Strawberry | 1.54% Formaldehyde detected in 2011 Testing in Canada | Link to Testing Results |
| Kera Green | Keratin and Protein Hair Treatment | 2010 testing by Oregon OSHA detected 1.5% formaldehyde | Link to Testing Results |
| QOD | Gold Solution | 2010 testing by Oregon OSHA detected 1.5% formaldehyde | Link to Testing Results |
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Related Articles:
– Recommendations for Reducing Toxic Chemical Exposures in Salons
– Information for Stylists: Sharing Your Experiences with Hair Straighteners the FDA
– Timeline of actions on Brazilian Blowout.
– FDA Must Act to Protect Salon Workers from Formaldehyde
– (Report) Beauty and Its Beast: Unmasking the Impact of Toxic Chemicals on Salon Workers
