Function of Beauty · Shampoo
Function of Beauty Custom Wavy Hair Shampoo Base
Lower PFAS concern, standard liquid shampoo without specialty coatings; no red flags.
Function of Beauty's shampoo base is a conventional aqueous formulation with no nonstick, water-resistant, or stain-resistant treatments typical of PFAS use. The brand makes no PFAS claim, but the product category and material type pose minimal inherent risk. No third-party testing or disclosure statements are publicly available.
Shop Function of Beauty on Amazon →Material
aqueous surfactant shampoo base; no treated coating or water-repellent coating applied
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Function of Beauty's custom shampoo base is an aqueous surfactant formulation, detergents dissolved in water designed to cleanse hair. Unlike bar soaps or silicone-based products, liquid shampoo bases have no applied coatings, Teflon-family coating, or heat-treatment steps that introduce chemical risks. The primary safety concern in any shampoo is residual impurities in surfactants and preservatives rather than the base structure itself.
The brand's record and disclosure
Function of Beauty markets itself as a customizable beauty brand but does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing, manufacturing certifications, or third-party safety testing data on their website. No major safety recalls or regulatory actions against this product are on record. The brand's silence on PFAS and broader chemical safety practices is typical of mid-market direct-to-consumer beauty brands and does not indicate a red flag, only limited transparency.
How it compares in its category
Liquid shampoo bases are among the lowest-risk personal care formats because they contain no particulates, talc, or applied coatings that shed or leach. Function of Beauty's customizable approach is comparable to other DTC shampoo brands (like Prose or Curology) in safety profile. Mass-market drugstore shampoos and premium salon shampoos follow the same surfactant chemistry and carry equivalent non-PFAS risks.
If you buy it
Store the bottle away from direct sunlight and extreme heat, as UV exposure and temperatures above 40C may degrade preservatives over extended storage. Use within the product's stated shelf life (typically 12-24 months after manufacture). Discontinue use if the formula separates, smells off, or causes irritation; these are signs of preservative breakdown or contamination, not manufacturing defect. Rinse thoroughly after application to minimize scalp residue.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant)
Liquid shampoo bases often contain 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of ethoxylation in surfactant manufacture. Function of Beauty does not disclose whether their surfactants are distilled or vacuum-stripped to remove this contaminant; no testing data is publicly available.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservatives)
Aqueous shampoo bases require preservatives to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Function of Beauty's ingredient list is not detailed publicly; some custom beauty brands use formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (like DMDM hydantoin) which are legal but linked to skin sensitization in sensitive individuals.
Fragrance allergens
If the custom shampoo includes fragrance (either included in the base or added during customization), undisclosed fragrance components may trigger allergic contact dermatitis. Function of Beauty allows fragrance customization but does not list allergen-prone components separately.
Heavy metals in colorants or trace impurities
Liquid shampoo bases do not use pigmented colorants or minerals that concentrate heavy metals. No reports of lead, cadmium, or arsenic contamination in this product type are on record.
Microplastics or plastic shedding
Liquid aqueous shampoo does not contain microbeads or polymers that shed into water. Function of Beauty's base formula is not formulated with polyethylene or microplastic additives.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Shampoo
Credo Beauty
Roz Salt Scalp Scrub
salt crystals, mineral-based scrub
Lower-concern buy, salt scrub formulation carries minimal inherent PFAS risk.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Puracy
Public Goods Shampoo Refill
aqueous surfactant-based liquid shampoo
Lower-concern shampoo refill; Puracy's MADE SAFE cert and no-PFAS positioning align, but cosmetic formulation labs are rarely published.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Puracy
Natural Baby Shampoo Body Wash
water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients, aqueous solution
Lower PFAS concern, liquid cosmetic with no water-resistant or nonstick triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
More shampoo grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.