What you can do to protect your health

Our 2026 Ingredient Analysis found formaldehyde-releasing chemicals and siloxanes on the labels of hair products sold at Sally Beauty that are marketed for curly and coily hair, products primarily used by Black and brown consumers. These chemicals are already being restricted in Washington state and the European Union. Sally Beauty can extend those same health protections to all customers nationwide.

1. Demand corporate action

Sally Beauty has the power to remove these harmful chemicals from all of its stores and online sales nationwide. It can extend those same health protections to every customer.

Take Action: Tell Sally Beauty, it’s time for a healthy makeover. Sign the petition and urge the company to remove these harmful chemicals from products sold nationwide. 

2. Avoid products labeled with formaldehyde releasers 

Formaldehyde is a known human carcinogen linked to leukemia and rare throat cancers. In hair products, it often appears through preservatives that slowly release formaldehyde over time.

In our analysis, we most commonly found these ingredients on labels for hair styling and treatment products, conditioners, texturizers, and shampoos. 

Check ingredient labels for these common formaldehyde releasers (listed in order of how often they appeared in our analysis):

• DMDM hydantoin 
• Diazolidinyl urea
• Imidazolidinyl urea 
• 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol
• Sodium hydroxymethylglycinate 

Other formaldehyde releasers known to be used in the beauty and personal care industry have been identified by the Washington Department of Ecology. Consumers may want to watch for these additional formaldehyde releasers when reading ingredients labels.