Does Cantu shampoo have PFAS?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
We graded 8 Cantu shampoo products, averaging Excellent (75/100). 8 of them grade Good or better. Against the other 27 shampoo brands we grade, where the middle brand sits at 75/100, Cantu is about typical, scoring above 44% of them.
Cantu shampoo worth buying Good or better, safest first
Cantu
Shea Butter Cleansing Cream Shampoo
water-based shampoo; shea butter, glycerin, surfactants
Fragrance allergens
Cantu Shea Butter Cleansing Cream contains fragrance, which is not fully disclosed as…
Preservative irritation
Water-based shampoos require preservatives (likely parabens, phenoxyethanol, or similar)…
Microbial contamination if stored improperly
Like all water-based shampoos, this product is susceptible to bacterial or mold growth if…
Lower concern, typical shampoo with no documented fluorination.
⚠Risky category by default
Cantu
Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Water-based shampoo (surfactants, botanical extracts, glycerin)
Fragrance and botanical extract sensitization
Shampoos with avocado oil and added fragrance compounds can trigger scalp irritation or…
Microbial contamination in water base
Water-based personal care products depend on preservative systems to prevent bacterial…
Lower concern, PFAS risk unlikely but unverified by brand.
⚠Risky category by default
Cantu
Sulfate Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo
water-based shampoo liquid (aqueous cleansing formulation)
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Like most mainstream shampoos, Cantu uses fragrance blends listed only as 'fragrance' or…
1,4-dioxane (byproduct contamination)
Water-based shampoos using ethoxylated surfactants or emulsifiers may contain trace…
Microbial or mold growth in creamy formulation
Cream-based shampoos with water and oil emulsions can support bacterial or mold growth if…
Lower concern, rinse-off shampoo with no water-repellency need typical of PFAS use.
⚠Risky category by default
Cantu
Ultra Moisture Nourishing Shampoo
water-based liquid shampoo, aqueous formulation
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Shampoos marketed as fragrant botanical blends often contain undisclosed fragrance…
Eye irritation risk
As a shampoo, the product contacts eyes during rinsing. Standard surfactants are…
Lower concern, liquid cosmetics rarely require PFAS, though no brand disclosure confirmed.
⚠Risky category by default
Cantu
Sulfate Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo 13.5 Fl Oz
Water-based cream shampoo formulation; packaging container
1,4-Dioxane (secondary contaminant)
Sulfate-free shampoos may use alternative surfactants (e.g., cocamidopropyl betaine) that…
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Product lists 'fragrance' as an ingredient without full component disclosure. Fragrance…
Lower concern, typical formula with no known PFAS risk factors, but no disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Cantu
Weightless Smoothing Shampoo
aqueous shampoo; typical cosmetic surfactants and conditioning agents
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants)
Typical shampoos with polysorbate or PEG-derived surfactants may contain trace…
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed sensitizers
Cantu lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient, not itemizing fragrant components. Some…
Lower concern, typical rinse-off shampoo with no known PFAS trigger profile.
⚠Risky category by default
Cantu
Moisturizing Cream Shampoo
aqueous shampoo base, plant oils, polymers, emulsifiers
Fragrance allergens
Cantu Moisturizing Cream Shampoo contains fragrance; specific fragrance chemicals are not…
Heavy metals
Plant oils (shea butter, coconut oil) and botanical extracts can accumulate trace heavy…
Silicone polymer accumulation (conditioning agents)
Cantu formulations use silicone-based conditioning polymers (typical for creamy…
Lower concern, typical rinse-off cosmetic with no water-resistant treatment triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Cantu
Unisex Shea Butter Moisturizing Cream Shampoo
water-based shampoo/cream emulsion
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cream shampoos often require preservative systems to prevent microbial growth in the…
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Cantu Shea Butter formulas contain fragrance (parfum), which may include unlisted…
Surfactant irritation to scalp and eyes
Even sulfate-free formulations use cleansing agents (typically cocamidopropyl betaine or…
Emulsion instability and bacterial growth
Cream shampoos are water-based emulsions susceptible to phase separation and microbial…
Lower concern, rinse-off shampoo with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Better shampoo from other brands
Graded higher than the Cantu average of 75.
Credo Beauty
Roz Salt Scalp Scrub
salt crystals, mineral-based scrub
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Mechanical irritation from crystal size and shape
Moderate concern
Low risk, salt scrub formulation carries minimal PFAS concern.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Puracy
Public Goods Shampoo Refill
aqueous surfactant-based liquid shampoo
1,4-dioxane (surfactant byproduct)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Limited concern
Bacterial or mold growth in refill container
Limited concern
Lower concern for a MADE SAFE certified shampoo avoiding fluorinated ingredients.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Puracy
Natural Shampoo
aqueous surfactants, plant-derived cleansers
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lower concern for a liquid shampoo with minimal PFAS risk in this category.
⚠Risky category by default
See every Cantu product we grade on the Cantu brand page, or the full shampoo ranking.