SheaMoisture · Shampoo
SheaMoisture Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle for Damaged Hair
Lower concern, liquid personal care with no known PFAS triggers, but brand makes no disclosure.
SheaMoisture's shampoo and conditioner are water-based liquid formulas without the typical PFAS-prone applications (nonstick coatings, durable water repellency, grease resistance in packaging). The brand does not publicly disclose or claim PFAS absence.
Shop SheaMoisture on Amazon →Material
water-based shampoo and conditioner formulas
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
SheaMoisture shampoo and conditioner are water-based liquid formulas, meaning they lack the ceramic, enamel, or coating degradation risks of cookware or the microplastic shedding risk of some solid personal care products. The brand is known for using plant-derived ingredients (shea butter, coconut oil, essential oils) as primary actives rather than heavy synthetic surfactants, which lowers the probability of harsh chemical residues. Like all rinse-off shampoos, any trace contaminants are not intended to accumulate on skin or in the body; exposure is temporary and limited.
The brand's record and disclosure
SheaMoisture has no published recalls for contamination, heavy metals, or formaldehyde releasers in this product line as of available records. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing, third-party testing, or PFAS avoidance statements, which limits independent verification of safety claims. The company is majority-owned by Unilever (acquired 2017) but maintains separate marketing; parent-company standards may apply but are not explicitly stated for this line. No certifications such as EWG Verified, USDA Organic, or Clean Beauty are claimed on the bundle.
How it compares in its category
Water-based shampoos and conditioners are inherently lower-risk than powder or solid formats because they do not concentrate or release volatile organic compounds during heating or mixing. SheaMoisture's focus on botanical ingredients aligns with a cleaner-label trend in the category, though this does not guarantee absence of synthetic preservatives or fragrance compounds. Comparable brands (Cantu, Carol's Daughter, mainstream drugstore shampoos) similarly lack detailed public safety testing; SheaMoisture is neither significantly more transparent nor less so than category peers.
If you buy it
Store bottles in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to slow degradation of plant-derived active ingredients and prevent mold growth in opened containers. Use within 12 months of opening to minimize bacterial contamination risk, as water-based formulas without high preservative loads are more susceptible to microbial growth if stored improperly. Rinse thoroughly after shampooing and conditioning to minimize skin contact time and remove residue. Do not ingest; standard child-safety precautions apply.
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 sensitizers
SheaMoisture products use essential oils and fragrance blends; no ingredient-level disclosure is published. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity, asthma, or dermatitis may experience reactions, though incidence is typical for the category and not product-specific.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservative-class)
No formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) have been identified in publicly available ingredient lists for this product. Standard preservative systems used are not known to release formaldehyde.
1,4-dioxane contamination
1,4-dioxane is a manufacturing byproduct of some surfactants but is not reported in testing records for SheaMoisture products. No recalls or public health alerts link this brand to 1,4-dioxane.
Heavy metals in botanical ingredients
Plant-derived ingredients (shea butter, coconut oil, botanicals) can bioaccumulate trace cadmium or lead depending on soil and source. SheaMoisture does not publish supplier testing or metal screening data, so residual levels cannot be independently verified.
Bacterial or mold growth in opened product
Water-based formulas are more prone to microbial contamination than oil-based or highly preservative-laden products if stored in humid environments or left open. Proper storage and timely use minimize this risk.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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.