Kristin Ess · Shampoo
Kristin Ess+ Peptide Boost Volumizing Shampoo
Lower PFAS concern than treated textiles or coatings, but brand offers no transparency.
Kristin Ess+ Peptide Boost is a rinse-off liquid shampoo with no inherent PFAS-prone materials (no Teflon-family coating, water-repellent coating coatings, or non-stick surfaces). However, the brand makes no public PFAS disclosure or third-party verification.
Shop Kristin Ess on Amazon →Material
aqueous shampoo base with peptides and surfactants
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
Kristin Ess+ Peptide Boost is a water-based shampoo formulation containing amino acid peptides as conditioning agents and surfactants (likely sodium lauryl sulfate or sulfate-free alternatives) for cleansing. Peptides are proteins that are too large to penetrate skin or scalp and wash away completely with rinsing, making them inherently low-risk. The aqueous base means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or formaldehyde off-gassing typical of some other personal care categories.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kristin Ess (owned by Unilever) does not publicly disclose full ingredient sourcing, PFAS content testing, or third-party certifications like EWG Verified or Leaping Bunny. No product-specific safety recalls or controversies are on record for this line. The brand's silent stance on PFAS contrasts with some competitors who have committed to PFAS reduction, but for a rinse-off shampoo, the reputational risk is lower than for leave-on products.
How it compares in its category
Most mass-market volumizing shampoos use surfactant blends and conditioning polymers similar to this formulation. Kristin Ess+ sits in the mid-tier for ingredient transparency; it is less transparent than indie brands with certified ingredient lists but not outlier in the drugstore category. Peptide-based conditioners are a common marketing differentiator and carry no additional safety burden versus traditional silicone or polymer alternatives.
If you buy it
Use as directed on damp hair, rinse thoroughly with water, and store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve formulation stability. No special precautions needed beyond standard shampoo handling (avoid eyes, keep lid sealed to prevent bacterial growth in the bottle). Replace if the product separates, changes color, or develops an off odor, typically within 12 to 24 months of opening.
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 (synthetic byproduct)
Surfactant manufacturing can introduce trace 1,4-dioxane in rinse-off products; no specific testing data publicly available for this formulation. The risk is mitigated by thorough rinsing and dilution, but brand does not disclose whether purification steps are taken.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservative systems)
Many shampoos use preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea that release low levels of formaldehyde to prevent microbial growth. Kristin Ess does not list these ingredients on public product labels reviewed; specific preservative system is unclear.
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed ingredients)
Product lists 'fragrance' as a catchall term without naming individual allergens such as limonene, linalool, or eugenol. Individuals with sensitive scalps or fragrance sensitivities may experience irritation; patch testing is advisable for those with known fragrance allergies.
Heavy metals in colorants or opacifiers
No recalls or test data on record for heavy metals in this product line. Shampoos are lower risk than pigmented cosmetics, but brand provides no third-party testing transparency to confirm absence.
Bacterial or mold contamination (post-purchase)
Aqueous shampoo formulations can support microbial growth if lid is left open or product is stored in warm, humid environments (e.g., bathroom). This is a user-handling risk rather than a manufacturing defect; proper storage minimizes likelihood.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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
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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.