Redken · Shampoo
Redken Acidic Color Gloss Shampoo
Lower concern, typical rinse-off shampoo with no known PFAS drivers, though full transparency lacking.
Redken Acidic Color Gloss is a rinse-off hair shampoo with no waterproofing, stain resistance, or non-stick coating requirements that would trigger PFAS use. The brand does not claim PFAS-free status or hold third-party certifications.
Shop Redken on Amazon →Material
aqueous shampoo formulation (surfactants, conditioning agents, pH buffers)
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 Color Gloss is a water-based shampoo designed to maintain color-treated hair using mild surfactants and conditioning polymers at a controlled low pH (around 3.5-4.5). The acidic formula is intended to close the hair cuticle and reduce color fading, not to pose chemical risk. Typical aqueous shampoo formulations rinse away completely and do not accumulate in skin or organs, making dermal or systemic exposure minimal during normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Redken (owned by L'Oreal) does not publicly disclose full ingredient sourcing, allergen testing protocols, or heavy metal screening data on this product page. The brand has not faced major safety recalls for this shampoo line. Redken lists ingredients on packaging (compliant with cosmetic labeling law) but does not provide independent third-party safety certifications or transparency beyond regulatory minimum.
How it compares in its category
Acidic color-maintenance shampoos are a standard category; this product's formulation approach (sulfate-free, pH-buffered) is mainstream and not outlier in composition. Compared to premium salon lines, Redken is mass-market but does not use known problematic ingredients like high-ppm heavy metals or discontinued allergens. Some indie or certified organic alternatives offer fuller disclosure, but this product does not stand out as higher-risk within professional shampoo lines.
If you buy it
Use as directed on damp hair, rinse thoroughly with water. Do not ingest or apply to broken skin. Store at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight to preserve formula stability. Discontinue use if scalp irritation or allergic reaction develops (itching, burning, rash). Replace when empty; no shelf-life extension applies after opening. Keep out of eyes; rinse immediately if contact occurs.
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 ingredients
Fragrance is listed as a single ingredient without component breakdown; individuals with fragrance sensitivity or multiple chemical sensitivities may react. No independent allergen panel data is publicly available for this specific formulation.
1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant)
Shampoos using ethoxylated surfactants (common in rinse-off products) may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. No independent lab test of this product is on record; dioxane at trace shampoo levels rinses away and is not considered high-risk during short contact, but sensitive populations may wish to verify via brand inquiry.
Heavy metals in colorants or conditioning agents
No recalls or testing reports document lead, cadmium, or arsenic in Redken Acidic Color Gloss. Standard cosmetic formulations in this price tier are not screened for heavy metals as routine practice, but contamination would be unusual absent a manufacturing incident.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers
This product does not list formaldehyde or releasers (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea) on the published ingredient list. The preserved aqueous base does not require these agents for typical shelf stability.
Eye and scalp irritation from pH or surfactant concentration
User reviews and product feedback note occasional scalp dryness or tingling sensation in sensitive individuals; this is within expected range for color-care shampoos but not universal. Acidic pH helps reduce irritation vs. high-pH cleansers, but individual sensitivity varies.
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.