Prose · Shampoo
Prose Custom
Lower PFAS concern for haircare, but brand remains silent on ingredient sourcing.
Prose Custom is a personalized haircare brand with no publicly known PFAS-containing actives (e.g., no Teflon-family coating coatings, no aqueous film-forming foams). Haircare products are not a primary PFAS-risk category unless they contain surfactants with PFOS/PFOA contaminants, undisclosed by the brand.
Shop Prose on Amazon →Material
custom formulated haircare (shampoo/conditioner base)
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
Prose Custom shampoos are surfactant-based cleansers tailored to individual hair types, typically containing water, anionic or amphoteric detergents, conditioning agents, and preservatives. Custom formulation reduces risk of mismatched ingredients that irritate sensitive scalps. The brand does not disclose full INCI lists publicly, which limits independent hazard assessment of specific preservatives, fragrance compounds, or chelating agents used in each batch.
The brand's record and disclosure
Prose has not published detailed ingredient sourcing, preservative safety data, or third-party testing results. The brand does not hold certifications like EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny, or standard organic standards. No major recalls or reported adverse events tied to Prose shampoos are on record in FDA or CPSC databases. Lack of transparency on PFAS sourcing and chemical supplier vetting is notable but not uncommon for custom haircare brands.
How it compares in its category
Prose sits in the premium custom-formulation segment, positioned above mass-market drugstore shampoos that often contain higher fragrance allergen loads and below certified-organic or clinical brands with full transparency. Personalization reduces blanket chemical exposure compared to one-size-fits-all formulas. However, lack of third-party testing or certification means it offers no more assurance than many mainstream premium brands.
If you buy it
Use as directed on dry or wet hair; no unusual heat or chemical compatibility concerns exist for shampoo. Store in cool, dry conditions to preserve formula stability. Discontinue use if scalp irritation or contact dermatitis develops within first 1-2 weeks. If ordering refills, confirm formula stability over time since custom batches may vary slightly batch-to-batch.
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 undisclosed fragrance components
Prose does not publish fragrance ingredient breakdowns (typically protected as trade secret); common allergens like limonene, linalool, or synthetic musks may be present. Risk is typical for haircare but impossible to assess without full INCI transparency.
Preservative safety (formaldehyde releasers or high-risk biocides)
No evidence of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives or banned biocides in Prose formulations; however, the brand does not publicly confirm preservative choice, so risk cannot be fully ruled out.
Heavy metals in colorant or pigment additives
Prose shampoos are not typically pigmented or contain heavy-metal colorants; risk is low. No recall or contamination event is on record.
1,4-dioxane contamination in surfactants
If Prose uses ethoxylated surfactants (common in shampoos), trace 1,4-dioxane can result from manufacturing. The brand does not disclose whether surfactants are ethoxylated or vacuum-stripped, making assessment speculative but not unusual in the category.
Scalp or skin irritation from misformulation or preservative excess
Custom formulation is intended to minimize irritation, but without independent batch testing or published stability data, individual reactions remain unpredictable. Early patch testing (behind ear or small area) is prudent for first use.
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.