Olaplex Review, Is Olaplex Non-Toxic?
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.
Across 6 graded products, Olaplex averages Excellent (75/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 6 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from Olaplex Good or better, safest first
Olaplex
No 4 Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo
aqueous shampoo solution with proprietary bond-building technology
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Olaplex does not itemize fragrance ingredients or allergens on product labeling or…
Eye and mucous membrane irritation
As a shampoo, No. 4 contains surfactants designed to cleanse; contact with eyes can cause…
Scalp irritation or allergic contact dermatitis
Any shampoo can trigger contact dermatitis in individuals with sensitive scalp or…
Low-medium risk. Rinse-off formula without flagged risk but no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Olaplex
No.4 BOND MAINTENANCE SHAMPOO
Aqueous surfactant blend, conditioning polymers, water
1,4-dioxane (rinse-off cosmetic contaminant)
Aqueous cosmetics can harbor trace 1,4-dioxane from surfactant synthesis if not…
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Aqueous shampoos require preservative systems to prevent bacterial and mold growth…
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed constituents)
No.4 contains fragrance listed as a single ingredient, but the actual composition of…
Polymer buildup and scalp irritation with infrequent rinsing
Premium conditioning shampoos can accumulate on hair and scalp if not rinsed thoroughly…
Low-medium risk. Standard shampoo with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
Olaplex
No.4 Fine Bond Maintenance Shampoo
aqueous liquid shampoo with surfactants
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed)
Olaplex No.4 contains fragrance listed as a catch-all ingredient; specific allergens…
1,4-dioxane (potential contaminant)
This shampoo likely contains ethoxylated surfactants (common in rinse-off formulas)…
Eye irritation (typical product hazard)
Like all shampoos, accidental contact with eyes can cause mild irritation due to…
Low-medium risk. Rinse-off shampoo rarely needs PFAS but transparency is missing.
⚠Risky category by default
Olaplex
No 5 Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner
aqueous conditioner with silicones and bonding polymers
Fragrance/fragrance allergens
No. 5 contains fragrance compounds (not fully disclosed by ingredient name); individual…
Silicone bioaccumulation on scalp
Repeated use of silicone conditioners can build up on hair and scalp over time…
Lower concern. No typical PFAS vector, but no public testing confirms safety.
⚠Risky category by default
Olaplex
Bond Maintenance Conditioner No. 5
Water-based conditioning polymers, silicones, plant-derived conditioning agents
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Olaplex products typically contain fragrance blends listed as 'fragrance' or 'parfum.'…
Silicone accumulation and buildup
Heavy silicone use in repeated applications can coat the hair and scalp, potentially…
Lower concern. No known PFAS triggers, though cosmetic industry transparency gaps exist.
⚠Risky category by default
Olaplex
Bond Maintenance Conditioner
aqueous conditioning emulsion (surfactants, oils, polymers)
1,4-dioxane (rinse-off contamination risk)
Common trace contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants used in conditioning emulsions.…
Fragrance allergen undisclosure
Product contains fragrance listed as a single ingredient rather than broken into…
Microplastic shedding from polymeric coatings
If silicone-based polymers are used as conditioning agents, degradation over time could…
Lower concern. Conditioner formula rarely requires PFAS, but brand transparency remains limited.
⚠Risky category by default
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →