Redken · Shampoo
Redken - Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo & Conditioner Set - 1 l / 33.8 fl oz
Lower PFAS concern for rinse-off shampoo/conditioner, but no transparency on intentional PFAS use.
Redken's Acidic Bonding shampoo and conditioner are aqueous cosmetics with no known functional requirement for PFAS. Rinse-off products pose minimal exposure risk compared to leave-on treatments.
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aqueous shampoo and conditioner formulations
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
Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate is an aqueous shampoo and conditioner set designed for bond-damaged hair, formulated with conditioning agents and humectants that remain in the hair briefly during use. As a rinse-off product, most ingredients wash away and do not absorb systemically; the critical concern is what stays on scalp and skin during the wash cycle. The 'acidic' formulation (lower pH around 3.5-4.5) is intentional to close hair cuticles and is within safe topical pH ranges.
The brand's record and disclosure
Redken, owned by L'Oreal, has not published a dedicated PFAS avoidance statement or transparency report for individual products. The brand does not independently certify products against EWG Verified, Clean Beauty, or similar standards that explicitly screen for PFAS and heavy metals. However, Redken has no recalled products for contamination in the shampoo/conditioner line and maintains basic ingredient disclosure via INCI labeling. Parent company L'Oreal has committed to phasing PFAS from cosmetics by 2025, though product-level implementation remains unclear.
How it compares in its category
Among professional hair care lines, Redken sits mid-tier for transparency; brands like Davines and Bumble and bumble publish more detailed safety claims, while drugstore alternatives (e.g., SheaMoisture, Cantu) often target natural-ingredient positioning without formal testing disclosure. The Acidic Bonding line is typical of bond-repairing shampoos in avoiding strong preservative loads and heavy silicones, making it safer than older sulfate-heavy formulas. No third-party testing results are publicly available for this specific SKU.
If you buy it
Apply to wet hair, massage gently into scalp and lengths, and rinse thoroughly with cool water to maximize cuticle closure. Avoid contact with eyes; if contact occurs, rinse immediately. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent preservative degradation. For sensitive scalp, perform a patch test on a small area behind the ear 24 hours before full use. Replace if the formula separates significantly, smells rancid, or causes persistent irritation.
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 (synthesis byproduct in ethoxylated ingredients)
Redken formulas typically contain ethoxylated surfactants or emulsifiers (e.g., ceteareth compounds) that can harbor trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing contaminant. No independent testing of this specific product is on public record; L'Oreal-owned brands are not obligated to disclose 1,4-dioxane levels, and FDA does not set limits for cosmetics.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Redken Acidic Bonding contains fragrance (listed as 'parfum' in INCI), which can include 26+ allergenic compounds not individually named on the label. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity, asthma, or scalp dermatitis may experience irritation; no hypoallergenic or fragrance-free version of this product line is marketed.
Heavy metals in colorants and additives
This is a clear or lightly tinted shampoo/conditioner set without intentional colorants. No recalls or reports of lead, cadmium, or arsenic contamination in Redken hair care have been documented. Risk is low but unverified by third-party testing.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservative system)
Some Redken formulas use DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea, both formaldehyde-releasing preservatives, though the exact preservative system in this SKU is not fully disclosed. Exposure in rinse-off products is brief and systemic absorption minimal, but scalp contact may trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Scalp irritation from alkaline buildup if rinsed inadequately
Although the Acidic Bonding formula is pH-buffered, incomplete rinsing can leave residual conditioning agents on the scalp, potentially causing itching, flaking, or folliculitis with repeated use. This is a user-practice risk, not a formulation defect.
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.
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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.