The Best Non-Toxic Conditioner of 2026
All 104 conditioner products PFAS Authority has graded reach its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, as of October 2026. The highest graded is Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner at 85 out of 100.
Every grade below is built from published materials, ingredient lists, certifications and brand disclosures, scored on one public rubric and ranked best-graded first. Each score links to the full breakdown of what earned it, and the numbers across the whole dataset are published too.
Is conditioner non-toxic?
104 of the 104 conditioner products we graded clear our screen and 0 do not. Non-toxic is not a defined or regulated term, so what we can tell you is what our graders recorded. Beyond PFAS, the hazards found or left unruled-out on conditioner products in this category are undisclosed fragrance, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, heavy metals, microplastics. The highest graded here is Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner at 85 out of 100.
Quick picks
Best overall
Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening ConditionerHighest PFAS grade in the category
85 Excellent
A second brand to consider
Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Moisturize + Repair Starter SetThe best grade here from a brand other than the winner
75 Excellent
What to watch for in conditioner
Beyond the PFAS grade, these are the things our graders recorded on the 104 conditioner products in this category. We assess from materials, brand statements and published research. We do not lab-test.
- Undisclosed fragrance
A single word on a label that can stand for dozens of undeclared ingredients, protected as trade secret.
Found on 2 of these conditioner products. Plausible but unconfirmed on 101 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. FDA
- 1,4-dioxane
A contaminant created during manufacturing rather than added, so it never appears on an ingredient list.
Plausible but unconfirmed on 46 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. EPA
- Formaldehyde
A preservative and resin ingredient that is also released slowly by a group of chemicals used in its place.
Plausible but unconfirmed on 14 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. NCI
- Heavy metals
Metals such as antimony, nickel and chromium migrating from a material into what touches it.
Plausible but unconfirmed on 7 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. ATSDR
- Microplastics
Plastic fragments small enough to shed from a product into food, water or air without anyone seeing it.
Plausible but unconfirmed on 5 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. EPA
The safest conditioner we graded, lowest PFAS risk first
- 1
Highest grade here
- Water, conditioning agents, organic plant extracts
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 2
- water-based conditioner, typical surfactants and botanical extracts
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 3
- water-based hair conditioner and shampoo (liquid cosmetics)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens (undisclosed compound identity)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 4
- Water, shea butter, glycerin, emulsifiers (typical leave-in cream base)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 5
- Aqueous liquid conditioner (surfactants, oils, emollients)
- Fragrance allergens (unspecified components)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 6
- water-based conditioner with surfactants, emollients, and preservatives
- Preservative allergens and contact dermatitis
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 7
- aqueous conditioner (water, silicones, emollients, polymers)
- Fragrance allergens
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 8
- aqueous conditioner base (surfactants, emollients, water)
- Fragrance allergen sensitization
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What the evidence says about PFAS in conditioner
The US FDA says some PFAS are added to cosmetics to condition and smooth skin and hair and make it look shiny. Its December 2025 report found PTFE listed in 490 cosmetic products, with shampoos and rinses the most common hair care use, and notes that the fluorinated ingredient trifluoromethyl C1-4 alkyl dimethicone can be used in shampoos and conditioners. In a 2022 study of 38 beauty products listing fluorinated ingredients, researchers found measurable PFAS in every sample, at generally lower levels in personal care products than in cosmetics. Washington has banned personal care products and cosmetics with intentionally added PFAS, shampoo included, since January 2025.
- Government sourceThe FDA says certain PFAS are intentionally added to some cosmetics to condition and smooth the skin and hair, making them appear shiny, or to affect consistency and texture. US FDA ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA’s December 2025 report says PTFE is used in 490 cosmetic products, and that hair care preparations make up nearly 4 percent of them, with shampoos and rinses the most common. US FDA report ↗
- Government sourceThe same report lists skin and hair conditioning among the functions PFAS serve in cosmetics, along with cleansers, emulsifiers, antistatics, surfactants and film formers. US FDA report ↗
- Government sourceThe FDA report says trifluoromethyl C1-4 alkyl dimethicone can be used in cosmetics including shampoos and conditioners wherever conditioning, lubricity and water resistance are wanted. US FDA report ↗
- StudyA 2022 study of 38 beauty products that listed fluorinated ingredients found measurable PFAS in all of them, with generally lower levels in personal care products than in cosmetics. American Chemical Society via ScienceDaily ↗
- Regulatory filingWashington’s health department says the sale of personal care products and cosmetics with intentionally added PFAS has been banned since January 1, 2025, and lists shampoo among them. Washington State Department of Health ↗
Sources checked September 15, 2026. A brand statement is the company’s own claim, which we report but have not verified. Our grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests.
Questions people ask about conditioner
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Every conditioner that passes, side by side
Sorted by score. A higher score means lower PFAS risk. Scored against 3 hazards that apply to this category.
| # | Conditioner | Score | Rating | Made of | Key concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner | 85 | Excellent | Water, conditioning agents, organic plant extracts | Heavy metals |
| 2 | Avalon Organics Rosemary Volumizing Conditioner | 85 | Excellent | water-based conditioner, typical surfactants and botanical extracts | Heavy metals |
| 3 | Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Moisturize + Repair Starter Set | 75 | Excellent | water-based hair conditioner and shampoo (liquid cosmetics) | Fragrance allergens (undisclosed compound identity) |
| 4 | Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream | 75 | Excellent | Water, shea butter, glycerin, emulsifiers (typical leave-in cream base) | Fragrance allergens |
| 5 | Dove Coconut & Hydration Conditioner | 75 | Excellent | Aqueous liquid conditioner (surfactants, oils, emollients) | Fragrance allergens (unspecified components) |
| 6 | Dove Conditioner Daily Moisture | 75 | Excellent | water-based conditioner with surfactants, emollients, and preservatives | Preservative allergens and contact dermatitis |
| 7 | Dove Conditioner for Dry Hair | 75 | Excellent | aqueous conditioner (water, silicones, emollients, polymers) | Fragrance allergens |
| 8 | Dove Conditioner Intensive Repair | 75 | Excellent | aqueous conditioner base (surfactants, emollients, water) | Fragrance allergen sensitization |
The verdict on conditioner
Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner grades 85 out of 100, the highest here. It is water, conditioning agents, organic plant extracts. We found no PFAS statement from the brand, so the grade rests on materials alone.
Choose Avalon Organics Rosemary Volumizing Conditioner instead if you want a second option at 85 out of 100, water-based conditioner, typical surfactants and botanical extracts.
We hold no price data, so nothing here is a budget recommendation. Grades are model-based assessments from published materials and disclosures, not laboratory tests.
The conditioner we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first, with the reason.
- 75Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Moisturize + Repair Starter SetExcellent
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed compound identity)
- 75Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair CreamExcellent
Fragrance allergens
- 75Dove Coconut & Hydration ConditionerExcellent
Fragrance allergens (unspecified components)
What we check on conditioner
- Endocrine disruptors. Chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormone system. NIEHS
- Parabens. Cosmetic preservatives studied for weak hormone activity. FDA
- Phthalates. Plastic softeners studied for endocrine effects. ATSDR
Full point-by-point rubric on the methodology page.
The conditioner brands we found no PFAS statement from
We found no PFAS statement from 15 of the brands here. That is our research, not proof a brand has never said anything, and it is not evidence of harm. It is why none of them score well on disclosure.
Aussie, Avalon Organics, Briogeo, Bumble and bumble, Cantu, Carol's Daughter, Garnier Fructis, Hairstory, Mielle Organics, Moroccanoil, Olaplex, Pantene.
The brands that have published something, and what each of them actually said, are in our record of what every brand has said about PFAS.
Common questions about PFAS in conditioner
Is conditioner PFAS free?
All 104 conditioner products PFAS Authority has graded reach its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, as of October 2026. The highest graded is Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner at 85 out of 100. The lowest graded is Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Moisturize + Repair Starter Set at 75 out of 100.
Is conditioner non-toxic?
104 of the 104 conditioner products we graded clear our screen and 0 do not. Non-toxic is not a defined or regulated term, so what we can tell you is what our graders recorded. Beyond PFAS, the hazards found or left unruled-out on conditioner products in this category are undisclosed fragrance, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, heavy metals, microplastics. The highest graded here is Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner at 85 out of 100.
What is the safest conditioner to buy?
On our grades, Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner at 85 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. Then Avalon Organics Rosemary Volumizing Conditioner at 85. These are model-based assessments from published materials, ingredient lists, certifications and disclosures, not laboratory tests, so treat them as the lowest risk we can evidence rather than a safety guarantee.
Which conditioner grades best for PFAS?
Avalon Organics Biotin B-Complex Thickening Conditioner, at 85 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. It is water, conditioning agents, organic plant extracts. The runner up is Avalon Organics Rosemary Volumizing Conditioner at 85.
Which conditioner should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Moisturize + Repair Starter Set at 75, Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream at 75, Dove Coconut & Hydration Conditioner at 75. The problem with the first is that the main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
How can you tell if conditioner contains PFAS?
In this category we check for endocrine disruptors, parabens, phthalates. Chemicals that interfere with the body’s hormone system. Language like stain resistant, water repellent or easy release usually means fluorinated chemistry even when PFAS is never printed on the box.
Which conditioner brands have not published a PFAS statement?
We found no PFAS statement from 15 of the brands we scored in this category, including Aussie, Avalon Organics, Briogeo, Bumble and bumble, Cantu, Carol's Daughter. That is what our research turned up, not proof a brand has never said anything, and a missing statement is not evidence of harm. It is the reason those brands cannot score well on disclosure.
Do you lab test conditioner?
No. We score from published ingredient lists, materials, certifications, disclosures and third party lab results where they exist. Where a product has been independently tested we use that result and say so.
More beauty and personal care categories we have graded
Same rubric, same scale. These are the categories closest to conditioner.
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Does a particular brand of conditioner have PFAS?
Brands we grade across the catalogue
Everything we have scored from these brands, not just conditioner.
We also wrote this up at length. PFAS in Leather Conditioner, Where the Waterproofers Grade Worst
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 104 conditioner.