SheaMoisture Review, Is SheaMoisture 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 10 graded products, SheaMoisture averages Excellent (75/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 10 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from SheaMoisture Good or better, safest first
SheaMoisture
Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Shampoo
aqueous shampoo base with natural oils and botanical extracts
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Shea Moisture Curl & Shine contains fragrance blend (essential oils and/or synthetic…
1,4-Dioxane contamination in surfactants
Rinse-off shampoos may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a by-product of surfactant…
Oxidative stability and rancidity of natural oils
Coconut and shea butter in formulas can oxidize over time, particularly if stored in warm…
Lower concern for rinse-off cosmetic with no known PFAS-typical triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
SheaMoisture
Shampoo & Conditioner Bundle for Damaged Hair
water-based shampoo and conditioner formulas
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
SheaMoisture products use essential oils and fragrance blends; no ingredient-level…
Heavy metals
Plant-derived ingredients (shea butter, coconut oil, botanicals) can bioaccumulate trace…
Bacterial or mold growth in opened product
Water-based formulas are more prone to microbial contamination than oil-based or highly…
Lower concern for liquid personal care without known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
SheaMoisture
Shea Moisture 100% Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Shampoo
water-based shampoo (coconut oil, shea butter, glycerin, surfactants)
Fragrance allergens
Coconut oil and shea butter are naturally fragrant, but the product likely includes…
1,4-dioxane contamination
Liquid shampoos that use ethoxylated surfactants (common in mild formulations) can harbor…
Coconut oil sensitivity or contact irritation
While rare, coconut oil can trigger contact dermatitis or scalp irritation in genetically…
Lower concern since liquid shampoos rarely need fluorochemical treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
SheaMoisture
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
Water-based shampoo formulation (surfactants, emollients, water)
Preservative allergens and sensitizers
Liquid shampoos require preservatives to prevent microbial growth. Common preservatives…
Fragrance allergens
This product contains fragrance (listed on label), which is a complex mixture of…
Lower concern for this liquid shampoo with no known triggers present.
⚠Risky category by default
SheaMoisture
Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
aqueous liquid shampoo (water, cleansers, plant extracts)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Aqueous shampoos often use preservatives like diazolidinyl urea or imidazolidinyl urea…
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
The product lists 'fragrance' as a general ingredient, which can include 30+ chemicals…
1,4-dioxane contamination in surfactants
Surfactants used in rinse-off products may be synthesized with processes that leave trace…
Contact dermatitis or scalp irritation from plant extracts
Coconut oil and hibiscus extracts are natural allergens for some individuals…
Lower concern for typical rinse-off shampoo without PFAS-prone applications.
⚠Risky category by default
SheaMoisture
Manuka Honey Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo Shea Moisture
aqueous shampoo; carrier oils (mafura, shea), surfactants, humectants
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
SheaMoisture products typically list 'fragrance' or 'parfum' as a catch-all term covering…
Rancidity and oxidation of plant oils
Mafura and shea oils are susceptible to oxidation once the bottle is opened, potentially…
Lower concern, rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no typical PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
SheaMoisture
Shea Moisture Curl Shine Conditioner Coconut Hibiscus
water-based conditioner; coconut oil, shea butter, hibiscus extract
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Product contains fragrance (coconut and hibiscus scent) from undisclosed essential oils…
Contact dermatitis from plant extracts
Hibiscus extract and coconut oil are natural but not hypoallergenic; individuals with…
Lower concern. Rinse-off liquid with botanical ingredients and no documented PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
SheaMoisture
Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner
water-based conditioner with natural oils and botanical extracts
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Rinse-off conditioners typically use mild preservatives (often imidazolidinyl urea or…
Fragrance allergens and sensitization
Product contains coconut fragrance and hibiscus extract; coconut is a known contact…
Bacterial growth if stored improperly
Water-based formulas are more prone to microbial colonization than oil-based products if…
Lower concern. Rinse-off formula with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
SheaMoisture
Shea Moisture Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Conditioner
coconut oil, shea butter, water-based conditioner
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing impurity in emulsifiers)
Water-based conditioners often contain emulsifiers (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate) that…
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
The product lists 'fragrance' as a general ingredient without breaking down constituent…
Microbial growth (maintenance risk)
The high water content and natural oils create an environment where mold or bacteria can…
Lower concern. Standard hair conditioner with no high-risk coating or treatment.
⚠Risky category by default
SheaMoisture
Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
water, coconut oil, hibiscus extract, mild surfactants (typical shampoo base)
Fragrance allergens
Coconut & Hibiscus scent is achieved through fragrance blends; SheaMoisture does not…
Skin irritation from surfactant residue
Even mild surfactants can cause scalp dryness or irritation in sensitive individuals if…
Lower concern, standard shampoo with no known fluorochemical triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
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