Verb · Shampoo
Verb Purple Shampoo
Lower-concern choice; shampoo formulations rarely use PFAS, but brand offers no transparency.
Verb Purple Shampoo is a rinse-off cosmetic with no known PFAS-use application (nonstick, water-repellency, or grease resistance are not typical for hair care). However, Verb makes no public statement about PFAS avoidance or ingredient disclosure, leaving some uncertainty. No third-party verification or safety certifications detected.
Shop Verb on Amazon →Material
aqueous shampoo base (water, surfactants, conditioning 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
Verb Purple Shampoo is a water-based surfactant formulation designed to neutralize brassy tones in blonde and silver hair using violet pigments. The base contains water, anionic and amphoteric surfactants (detergents), conditioning agents, and the purple colorant, typical for this product class. Unlike rinse-off products left on skin, shampoos are rinsed thoroughly, which significantly reduces systemic exposure to any chemical additives in the formula.
The brand's record and disclosure
Verb does not publish detailed ingredient safety data or third-party certifications (e.g., EWG verification, Leaping Bunny, or other standards). The brand has no publicly documented safety recalls or regulatory warnings on record for this product. The company's silence on PFAS and other emerging concerns reflects a broader industry pattern in prestige haircare; lack of transparency does not indicate a hazard, but limits independent verification of formulation choices.
How it compares in its category
Purple shampoos are among the lowest-risk haircare products because they are rinse-off and contain minimal novel chemistry. Most competitors (Fanola, Shimmer Lights, Wella) use similar water-surfactant bases with violet dyes. Verb's positioning emphasizes simplicity and clean labeling, which aligns with category norms; there is no evidence this product is safer or riskier than mid-to-premium equivalents.
If you buy it
Use as directed: apply to damp hair, lather, rinse thoroughly with water. Leave-on time should not exceed manufacturer guidance (typically 1-3 minutes); longer contact may over-deposit pigment or dry hair. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent separation or degradation of the violet dye. Do not ingest; rinse eyes immediately if contact occurs. Replace every 6-12 months depending on frequency of use.
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 (contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants)
Purple shampoos often contain ethoxylated surfactants or conditioning agents that may be contaminated with trace 1,4-dioxane (a likely carcinogen) during manufacturing. FDA does not require declaration on labels; residual levels are typically low due to rinse-off use, but the compound can accumulate in the environment.
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed ingredients)
Verb Purple Shampoo lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without specifying components. This is legal under current US labeling rules but obscures potential sensitizers like limonene, citral, or other volatile compounds that may trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Violet dyes (synthetic colorants)
No published safety concerns exist for the violet pigments typically used in purple shampoos (CI 60725 or similar approved colorants). These are regulated by the FDA for cosmetic use and are considered low-risk in rinse-off applications.
Formaldehyde releasers (in preservatives)
Shampoo formulations require preservatives to prevent bacterial growth. Some preservative systems (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea) slowly release formaldehyde; Verb does not disclose which preservatives are used, making specific assessment impossible. Exposure during rinsing is minimal.
Heavy metals in pigments (lead, cadmium, arsenic)
Synthetic violet colorants approved for cosmetics are subject to heavy-metal purity limits. No recalls or regulatory findings of contamination in Verb products have been documented; industry testing shows approved colorants rarely exceed safe thresholds.
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
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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.