Olaplex · Hair Styling Products
Olaplex No. 5 Leave-In Moisturize & Mend Leave-In Conditioner
Lower concern; liquid cosmetics typically avoid PFAS, but Olaplex offers no transparency.
Olaplex No. 5 is a leave-in conditioner with no known history of PFAS use or detection in publicly available sources. Liquid personal-care products are not common vectors for intentional PFAS, though the brand discloses nothing about PFAS screening or ingredient sourcing.
Shop Olaplex on Amazon →Material
water-based leave-in conditioner, organic polymers and conditioning agents
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
Olaplex No. 5 is a water-based leave-in conditioner built around the brand's proprietary Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate polymer (claimed to repair broken disulfide bonds in hair). The formula combines water, silicones, humectants, and conditioning polymers typical of premium hair treatments. Leave-in conditioners are meant to remain on hair and scalp, so ingredient safety and absence of sensitizers matter more than rinse-off products. No evidence of heavy metals, formaldehyde releasers, or restricted dyes in the disclosed ingredient list.
The brand's record and disclosure
Olaplex publishes ingredient lists and does not advertise independent certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Cruelty-Free). The brand has not faced major recalls or regulatory action related to this product. However, Olaplex remains silent on PFAS testing and does not provide third-party safety assays. The company's parent is backed by private equity and does not disclose manufacturing or raw material sourcing protocols publicly. No established controversies specific to No. 5 exist in consumer or regulatory databases.
How it compares in its category
Premium leave-in conditioners typically use similar polymer and silicone chemistry; Olaplex's Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate is proprietary but chemically analogous to other hair-repair polymers (e.g., hydrolyzed keratin, panthenol). Competitors like K18, Briogeo, and SheaMoisture offer comparable products with similar or better transparency (SheaMoisture carries EWG Verified status). Price point (USD 28 for 8 oz) is mid-to-premium; safety profile is broadly in line with category peers, not distinguished.
If you buy it
Apply to damp hair, focusing on mid-lengths and ends; avoid scalp if prone to buildup. Do not heat-style immediately after application (let air-dry or use on cool setting). Rinse hands thoroughly after application. Replace every 6-12 months if used daily; discard if consistency changes, odor develops, or irritation occurs. Discontinue if scalp or skin irritation appears; patch-test on inner arm first if you have sensitive skin.
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.”
Contact allergens (fragrance/botanical extracts)
Leave-in conditioners are not rinsed, prolonging skin contact. Olaplex No. 5 contains fragrance and plant-derived ingredients (e.g., abyssinianfollow-up oils); individual sensitivity is possible but not reported in public data. Patch-test recommended for sensitive skin or scalp conditions.
Scalp buildup and microbial growth
Water-based leave-in formulas that remain on scalp can promote bacterial or fungal overgrowth if not rinsed or if scalp is already inflamed. Risk is user-dependent (frequency, scalp health, climate). Proper application (hair only, not scalp) and regular shampooing mitigate this.
Silicone accumulation
This product contains silicones, which can build up on hair with repeated use and create a waxy barrier. Not a direct health hazard but may require clarifying shampoo periodically to avoid product layering and scalp irritation.
1,4-dioxane (cosmetic byproduct impurity)
Ethoxylated ingredients (common in conditioners) can contain 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing impurity. Olaplex does not disclose 1,4-dioxane testing; the risk is low for leave-in conditioners but unconfirmed absence. FDA has not restricted it in cosmetics.
Heavy metals in colorants or mineral additives
No heavy metals (lead, cadmium, mercury) are listed or known to be present. Olaplex does not advertise independent heavy metal testing, but no contamination has been reported or recalled.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 75% 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 Hair Styling Products
Olaplex
Signature Hair & Body Mist
water-based fragrance spray in glass/plastic bottle
Lower concern, but Olaplex makes no public PFAS commitment, typical for the cosmetics category.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
More hair styling products 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.