Redken · Hair Styling Products
Brushable Hairspray Redken
Lower concern; typical hairspray without known PFAS triggers, but no brand transparency on formulation.
Redken Brushable Hairspray is a conventional aerosol cosmetic product with no public evidence of PFAS-laden coatings or water-repellent treatments. Hairsprays do not typically require fluorinated polymers or water-repellent coating chemistry.
Shop Redken on Amazon →Material
Acrylates, polymers, solvents (typical hairspray propellant and film-forming 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
Brushable Hairspray Redken uses acrylate-based polymers as the primary film-forming agent, which create a flexible hold by coating the hair shaft. The formula relies on volatile organic solvents (likely alcohols and hydrocarbons) to deliver the polymers and allow quick drying. Unlike aerosol hairsprays, the brush applicator avoids pressurized propellants, reducing inhalation exposure to propellant gases. The acrylates themselves are low-toxicity once dry and do not bioaccumulate.
The brand's record and disclosure
Redken is owned by L'Oreal and publishes general safety data sheets but does not provide detailed ingredient transparency beyond regulatory minimum. The brand has no documented recalls or safety controversies specific to this product line. Redken does not independently certify products as free of heavy metals, formaldehyde releasers, or allergens, relying instead on regional regulatory compliance (FDA in the US, EU cosmetics directive in Europe). No public commitment to phase out controversial ingredients has been announced.
How it compares in its category
Brushable hairsprays generally pose lower acute inhalation risk than aerosol or pump-spray alternatives because application does not aerosolize the product as widely. Redken's brushable formula is mid-range for hold strength and cost within the salon-professional category, comparable to products like Tresemmé or drugstore aerosols in chemical profile. Most competing brushable sprays use similar acrylate polymers and solvent bases, making this product representative rather than exceptional in safety terms.
If you buy it
Apply in a well-ventilated area to minimize inhalation of volatile solvents during application; the product dries quickly, so extended exposure is unlikely with normal use. Do not apply directly to scalp or skin; keep away from eyes. Discontinue use if irritation or allergic reaction occurs (rare with this chemistry, but fragrance or preservatives can trigger sensitivity in some users). Store at room temperature away from heat sources; the bottle is not pressurized, so no explosion risk, but solvents can evaporate if left uncapped.
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.”
Volatile organic compounds (VOC) inhalation
The solvent carriers (alcohols, hydrocarbons) are typical for hairsprays and are not classified as carcinogenic, but inhalation during application can cause dizziness, headache, or respiratory irritation in poorly ventilated spaces. Redken does not disclose exact solvent composition.
Fragrance allergens
Brushable Hairspray Redken is fragranced; fragrance compounds are not individually disclosed and can trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory sensitivity in fragrance-sensitive individuals. No hypoallergenic version is marketed.
Heavy metals in pigments (if tinted)
If the product contains color additives, they must comply with FDA regulations in the US, which limit lead and cadmium. No testing data is publicly available for this product, but standard compliance is assumed for a major brand.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservative systems)
Redken does not disclose preservative type in consumer-facing materials. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are permissible in hairsprays but are not confirmed as present or absent in this formula.
Eye or skin contact irritation
Hairsprays are not intended for skin or eye contact. Accidental spraying into eyes can cause temporary stinging or watering due to polymer residue and solvents; rinse immediately with water.
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 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.