Does Kristin Ess 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 Kristin Ess 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, Kristin Ess is about typical, scoring above 44% of them.
Kristin Ess shampoo worth buying Good or better, safest first
Kristin Ess
The One Signature Shampoo
aqueous shampoo liquid, standard emulsifiers and surfactants
1,4-dioxane (residual solvent)
Standard shampoo surfactant manufacturing may leave trace 1,4-dioxane as a contaminant.…
Fragrance allergens and unlisted components
Shampoo lists fragrance as a catch-all ingredient without disclosing specific fragrance…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Preservative systems in rinse-off shampoos may include formaldehyde-releasing compounds…
Allergic contact dermatitis from surfactants
Anionic surfactants in shampoos can trigger scalp irritation or contact dermatitis in…
Lower PFAS risk for a rinse-off liquid, no waterproofing or stain-resist claims.
⚠Risky category by default
Kristin Ess
Deep Clean Clarifying Shampoo
aqueous surfactant blend, water-based cleansing system
Sulfates and scalp irritation risk
If formulation uses sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or similar anionic surfactants, prolonged…
Fragrance allergens and contact sensitization
Product contains fragrance (listed on bottle), which may include undisclosed component…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Preservatives that release trace formaldehyde (such as DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl…
Lower concern; typical rinse-off shampoo with no known PFAS triggers, but brand makes no commitment.
⚠Risky category by default
Kristin Ess
Extra Gentle Shampoo
aqueous shampoo base with surfactants and conditioning agents
1,4-dioxane (solvent and surfactant byproduct)
Trace 1,4-dioxane can form during manufacture of certain ethoxylated surfactants and…
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
The product listing includes 'fragrance' or 'parfum' as a standard ingredient. Individual…
Lower concern; liquid shampoos rarely use PFAS, but brand transparency is absent.
⚠Risky category by default
Kristin Ess
Hair One Signature Shampoo
aqueous shampoo base (water, surfactants, conditioning agents)
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed component list)
The product contains 'fragrance' as a listed ingredient but does not itemize specific…
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing contaminant)
Shampoos containing ethoxylated surfactants (common in mainstream formulas) may retain…
Lower PFAS concern; standard rinse-off shampoo with no typical PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Kristin Ess
Hair Strengthening Shampoo
aqueous shampoo base, surfactants, conditioning agents
Fragrance allergens and sensitization
Kristin Ess does not publicly disclose fragrance components (likely proprietary blend).…
Preservative-related irritation
Standard shampoos use preservatives (e.g., parabens, methylisothiazolinone) to prevent…
Scalp irritation from conditioning agents or silicones
Silicones and heavy conditioning polymers in strengthening shampoos may accumulate on the…
Lower PFAS concern for typical shampoo; no water-resistant coating triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Kristin Ess
Hair Softening Shampoo
aqueous shampoo base (surfactants, water, conditioning agents)
Fragrance allergens
Like most mainstream shampoos, this product likely contains fragrance blends that may…
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing contaminant)
Ethoxylated surfactants used in many sulfate-free shampoos can be contaminated with trace…
Silicone buildup on hair/scalp
Conditioning shampoos in this category typically contain silicones (dimethicone).…
Lower PFAS concern for standard shampoo; no known risk factors, but brand makes no disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Kristin Ess
Hair Moisture Rich Curl Shampoo
Aqueous surfactant blend (shampoo base)
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Kristin Ess lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without breaking down individual…
Sulfates (SLS/SLES) irritation risk
This shampoo contains sulfate surfactants, which can strip natural oils and cause scalp…
Silicone buildup with repeated use
The formula includes silicones for slip and shine; over time without chelating shampoo or…
Eye irritation (sulfates and surfactants)
Sulfate shampoos commonly cause stinging if they contact eyes. This is expected behavior…
Lower concern; rinse-off shampoo with no obvious PFAS triggers, but brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
Kristin Ess
+ Peptide Boost Volumizing Shampoo
aqueous shampoo base with peptides and surfactants
1,4-dioxane (synthetic byproduct)
Surfactant manufacturing can introduce trace 1,4-dioxane in rinse-off products; no…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Many shampoos use preservatives such as DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea that…
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed ingredients)
Product lists 'fragrance' as a catchall term without naming individual allergens such as…
Bacterial or mold contamination (post-purchase)
Aqueous shampoo formulations can support microbial growth if lid is left open or product…
Lower PFAS concern than treated textiles or coatings, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Better shampoo from other brands
Graded higher than the Kristin Ess 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 Kristin Ess product we grade on the Kristin Ess brand page, or the full shampoo ranking.