The Best Non-Toxic Shampoo of 2026
All 185 shampoo products PFAS Authority has graded reach its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, as of October 2026. The highest graded is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo at 75 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 shampoo non-toxic?
185 of the 185 shampoo 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 shampoo products in this category are undisclosed fragrance, artificial dyes, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, heavy metals. The highest graded here is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo at 75 out of 100.
Quick picks
A second brand to consider
Cantu Unisex Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream ShampooThe best grade here from a brand other than the winner
75 Excellent
What to watch for in shampoo
Beyond the PFAS grade, these are the things our graders recorded on the 185 shampoo 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 13 of these shampoo products. Plausible but unconfirmed on 160 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. FDA
- Artificial dyes
Synthetic colours added to food, cosmetics and textiles, most of them petroleum derived.
Found on 2 of these shampoo products. Plausible but unconfirmed on 2 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.
Found on 1 of these shampoo products. Plausible but unconfirmed on 110 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 41 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 5 more, meaning nobody has ruled it out. ATSDR
The safest shampoo we graded, lowest PFAS risk first
- 1
Highest grade here
- aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Surfactant irritation (skin/eye contact)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 2
- water-based shampoo/cream emulsion
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Formaldehyde / VOCs
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 3
Third-party verified
- salt crystals, mineral-based scrub
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Mechanical irritation from particle size
- 4
- aqueous shampoo base, surfactants, emollients
- 1,4-Dioxane (potential contaminant in surfactant synthesis)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 5
- aqueous surfactant shampoo base; no treated coating or water-repellent coating applied
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- 1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 6
- aqueous shampoo formulation; no specialized coatings or treatments
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- 1,4-Dioxane (indirect contamination)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 7
- aqueous shampoo base (water, surfactants, conditioning agents)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens (undisclosed component list)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- 8
- aqueous shampoo base (water, surfactants, conditioning agents)
- Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What the evidence says about PFAS in shampoo
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 shampoo
- Are There Phthalates in Fragrance?
- Is There Formaldehyde in Hair Products?
- Are Parabens Bad for You?
- Is Dry Shampoo Safe?
- Is Coal Tar Shampoo Safe?
- What Is Methylisothiazolinone?
- What Is DMDM Hydantoin?
- What Is Selenium Sulfide?
- What Is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate?
- What Is Cocamidopropyl Betaine?
- What Is Sodium Laureth Sulfate?
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- 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 shampoo that passes, side by side
Sorted by score. A higher score means lower PFAS risk. Scored against 3 hazards that apply to this category.
| # | Shampoo | Score | Rating | Made of | Key concern |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo | 75 | Excellent | aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water) | Surfactant irritation (skin/eye contact) |
| 2 | Cantu Unisex Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream Shampoo | 75 | Excellent | water-based shampoo/cream emulsion | Formaldehyde / VOCs |
| 3 | Roz Salt Scalp Scrub | 75 | Excellent | salt crystals, mineral-based scrub | Mechanical irritation from particle size |
| 4 | Dove Daily Moisture Therapy Shampoo | 75 | Excellent | aqueous shampoo base, surfactants, emollients | 1,4-Dioxane (potential contaminant in surfactant synthesis) |
| 5 | Function of Beauty Custom Wavy Hair Shampoo Base | 75 | Excellent | aqueous surfactant shampoo base; no treated coating or DWR applied | 1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant) |
| 6 | Garnier Fructis Pure Moisture Hydrating Shampoo | 75 | Excellent | aqueous shampoo formulation; no specialized coatings or treatments | 1,4-Dioxane (indirect contamination) |
| 7 | Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Shampoo | 75 | Excellent | aqueous shampoo base (water, surfactants, conditioning agents) | Fragrance allergens (undisclosed component list) |
| 8 | Neutrogena Hair Restore Strength + Purity Shampoo | 75 | Excellent | aqueous shampoo base (water, surfactants, conditioning agents) | Fragrance allergens and sensitizers |
The verdict on shampoo
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo grades 75 out of 100, the highest here. It is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water). We found no PFAS statement from the brand, so the grade rests on materials alone.
Choose Cantu Unisex Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream Shampoo instead if you want a second option at 75 out of 100, water-based shampoo/cream emulsion.
If an outside certification matters more to you than the grade, that is Roz Salt Scalp Scrub.
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 shampoo we would skip
Lowest scoring in this category, worst first, with the reason.
- 75Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar ShampooExcellent
Surfactant irritation (skin/eye contact)
- 75Cantu Unisex Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream ShampooExcellent
Formaldehyde / VOCs
- 75Roz Salt Scalp ScrubExcellent
Mechanical irritation from particle size
What we check on shampoo
- 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 shampoo brands we found no PFAS statement from
We found no PFAS statement from 31 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.
Alba Botanica, Attitude, Aunt Jackie's, Aussie, Avalon Organics, Aveeno, Biolage, Briogeo, Bumble and bumble, Cantu, Cecred, Credo Beauty.
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 shampoo
Is shampoo PFAS free?
All 185 shampoo products PFAS Authority has graded reach its 70 point pass mark for PFAS and other toxins, as of October 2026. The highest graded is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo at 75 out of 100. The lowest graded is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo at 75 out of 100.
Is shampoo non-toxic?
185 of the 185 shampoo 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 shampoo products in this category are undisclosed fragrance, artificial dyes, 1,4-dioxane, formaldehyde, heavy metals. The highest graded here is Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo at 75 out of 100.
What is the safest shampoo to buy?
On our grades, Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo at 75 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. Then Cantu Unisex Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream Shampoo at 75. The one here carrying an outside certification is Roz Salt Scalp Scrub. 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 shampoo grades best for PFAS?
Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo, at 75 out of 100, which we band as Excellent. It is aqueous liquid shampoo (typical surfactants, conditioning agents, water). The runner up is Cantu Unisex Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream Shampoo at 75.
Which shampoo should I avoid?
The three lowest scoring we hold are Aveeno Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo at 75, Cantu Unisex Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream Shampoo at 75, Roz Salt Scalp Scrub 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 shampoo 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 shampoo brands have not published a PFAS statement?
We found no PFAS statement from 31 of the brands we scored in this category, including Alba Botanica, Attitude, Aunt Jackie's, Aussie, Avalon Organics, Aveeno. 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 shampoo?
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 shampoo.
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Does a particular brand of shampoo have PFAS?
Brands we grade across the catalogue
Everything we have scored from these brands, not just shampoo.
We also wrote this up at length. What Shampoo Has PFAS?
Want to filter the whole category yourself? Browse all 185 shampoo.