Neutrogena · Shampoo
Neutrogena Clean Replenishing Shampoo
Lower concern; typical rinse-off shampoo with no documented PFAS risk, but brand offers no transparency.
Neutrogena Clean Replenishing Shampoo is a standard aqueous shampoo without water-repellent, grease-resistant, or non-stick properties that typically drive PFAS use in cosmetics. No public lab data or brand PFAS claims exist for this product.
Shop Neutrogena on Amazon →Material
aqueous shampoo base with 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
Neutrogena Clean Replenishing Shampoo is a water-based surfactant formulation designed to cleanse and condition hair. The product contains anionic and amphoteric surfactants (standard for shampoos), humectants, and fragrance compounds; because it is rinsed off the scalp and hair within minutes, dermal absorption and systemic exposure are minimal. No unusual additives such as formaldehyde releasers or known allergens are listed on the public ingredient deck.
The brand's record and disclosure
Neutrogena (owned by Johnson & Johnson) does not prominently publicize PFAS testing or removal efforts in personal care products, though the company has faced broader scrutiny over talc and sunscreen safety in other product lines. The brand has not issued recalls or safety warnings specific to this shampoo. Ingredient transparency is standard for the category but not exceptional; the company does not provide third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny) on this line.
How it compares in its category
This shampoo sits in the mainstream mass-market category; formulation complexity and hazard profile are typical for non-premium drugstore shampoos. Products with clearer allergen labeling, fragrance transparency, or third-party certification exist but often at higher cost. Compared to sulfate-free or natural alternatives, this product uses conventional surfactants that some consumers prefer to avoid, but safety data does not support heightened risk from the surfactants used.
If you buy it
Use as directed: apply to damp hair, massage scalp briefly, and rinse thoroughly with water. No special precautions are needed beyond standard shampoo hygiene (avoid contact with eyes, store at room temperature, keep out of reach of children). If scalp irritation, redness, or allergic reaction occurs, discontinue use and consult a healthcare provider. Shelf life is typically 24-36 months unopened; once opened, use within 12 months and discard if odor or appearance changes.
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.”
Fragrance allergens and sensitization
The product contains fragrance (listed generically on label). Specific fragrance components are not disclosed; some consumers with sensitive scalp or contact dermatitis may experience irritation, though incidence is low for mass-market formulations.
Heavy metals in colorants or pigments
No public recalls or test reports document heavy metal contamination in this shampoo. Pigments used are standard cosmetic-grade; regulatory oversight by FDA applies, though testing is not routine for rinse-off products.
1,4-dioxane contamination
1,4-dioxane is a potential contaminant in shampoos formulated with ethoxylated surfactants (a likely component of this product), but presence and concentration are not publicly disclosed. Rinse-off exposure is minimal; no regulatory limit exists for shampoos in the US.
Formaldehyde and formaldehyde releasers
No documented use of formaldehyde preservatives or releasers (e.g., DMDM hydantoin) in this product line. Modern Neutrogena formulations typically use safer preservative systems, but ingredient transparency is incomplete.
Microplastic content
No evidence of added microbeads or microplastics in this formulation. Post-2015, US regulations and voluntary commitments largely eliminated microbeads from rinse-off personal care products; this shampoo is unlikely to contain them.
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
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.