Verb · Shampoo
Verb Volume Shampoo
Lower-concern cosmetic; no known PFAS driver in liquid shampoo formula, but no public disclosure or testing.
Verb Volume Shampoo is a rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no disclosed Teflon-family coating, waterproofing treatments, or nonstick coatings, the typical vectors for PFAS in beauty products. The brand makes no PFAS claims and provides no third-party testing data.
Shop Verb on Amazon →Material
aqueous shampoo base, surfactants, polymers
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 Volume Shampoo is an aqueous formulation based on mild surfactants designed to cleanse without stripping natural oils. The product contains water, anionic and amphoteric surfactants, conditioning polymers, and standard cosmetic preservatives and fragrance. Liquid shampoos at neutral pH with surfactant-based cleansing systems carry significantly lower chemical risk than bar formulations or products with heavy silicone or resin loads, as they rinse completely.
The brand's record and disclosure
Verb is a relatively young, direct-to-consumer haircare brand owned by Unilever subsidiary. The brand does not publicly disclose ingredient testing data, allergen warnings beyond standard labeling, or third-party certifications (no cruelty-free, vegan, or dermatologist-tested claims on record). No recalls, safety controversies, or regulatory actions against Verb products are documented in public databases. The brand's transparency on PFAS, heavy metals, or formaldehyde testing is silent.
How it compares in its category
Verb Volume Shampoo sits in the mainstream commercial shampoo segment, functionally similar to brands like SheaMoisture, Cantu, or drugstore labels. It avoids heavy sulfates (SLES/SLS are not listed as primary surfactants) and silicone overload compared to some premium lines, making it a mid-range choice. Most mass-market shampoos of this type carry comparable ingredient profiles and safety profiles; differentiation is largely in marketing and fragrance rather than hazard reduction.
If you buy it
Use as directed on the package: wet hair, apply, massage, rinse thoroughly. No heat exposure during use (shampoo itself requires no heating). Store at room temperature away from extreme heat or direct sunlight to preserve preservative efficacy and prevent separation. Replace when empty or if odor, color, or consistency changes unexpectedly. If scalp irritation, itching, or rash develops, discontinue and consult a dermatologist; do not assume the product is at fault without patch testing.
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
Verb Volume Shampoo lists 'fragrance' as a proprietary blend without ingredient-level disclosure. Common shampoo fragrances may include limonene, linalool, or other terpenes known to cause contact dermatitis or scalp irritation in sensitive individuals. Risk is individual; test on a small area first.
Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives
Standard shampoo preservative systems typically use methyl/propyl parabens or phenoxyethanol rather than formaldehyde-releasing agents (e.g., DMDM hydantoin). No public record indicates Verb uses formaldehyde donors, but ingredient list is not fully disclosed.
1,4-dioxane as manufacturing byproduct
Surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) can be contaminated with trace 1,4-dioxane during ethoxylation. Verb does not disclose whether surfactants are distilled or tested for this byproduct. Risk is typically low (<10 ppm) in finished products, but no independent testing on record for this brand.
Heavy metals in colorants or pigments
Liquid shampoos rarely use mineral pigments or colorants that accumulate heavy metals. Verb Volume Shampoo does not list added dyes beyond standard FD&C or CI numbers, which are regulated. Risk is minimal in this product class.
Eye irritation from surfactant concentration
Like all shampoos, this product contains surfactants that can cause mild to moderate eye stinging or irritation if not rinsed promptly or if splashed directly into eyes. This is a use-risk, not a formulation defect. Avoid contact with eyes during application.
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 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
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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.