PFAS in Conditioner, Which Brands Grade Best and Worst

Every conditioner in our database that we reviewed for this guide currently carries the same model-based estimate, Excellent, with a safety score of 75 out of 100. That includes widely stocked bottles from Pantene, Olaplex, SheaMoisture, and Dove. Based on available materials and public disclosure data, none of the twelve products graded here show evidence of PFAS in the reviewed sources, though an Excellent grade reflects a lower-concern estimate rather than a laboratory guarantee of zero PFAS content.

If you need a quick, decisive answer, the Olaplex No 5 Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner and its sibling listings are a reasonable starting point for shoppers prioritizing a strong formulation reputation alongside a clean estimate, but the Pantene Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Conditioner and the Dove Dove Conditioner Daily Moisture score identically on our model and cost considerably less. There is no meaningful grade separation among the products we track in this category, so the real decision for most shoppers comes down to hair type, budget, and brand trust rather than chasing a PFAS score. Use our finder tool to cross-check any bottle sitting in your shower right now.

Summary comparison

Product	PFAS grade (model estimate)	Verdict
Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Conditioner	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, budget-friendly everyday pick
Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Conditioner	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, good for damaged hair claims
Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, basic daily hydrator
Olaplex No 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, premium bond-repair positioning
Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner No. 5	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, duplicate listing of No. 5 formula
Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, standard salon-brand option
SheaMoisture Curl Shine Conditioner, Coconut Hibiscus	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, curl-focused formula
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, near-identical listing to above
SheaMoisture Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Conditioner	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, daily use oil-based formula
Dove Conditioner Daily Moisture	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, mass-market value pick
Dove Conditioner for Dry Hair	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, heavier moisture formula
Dove Coconut & Hydration Conditioner	Excellent, 75/100	Lower concern, tropical-scent variant

Every grade in this table is our model-based estimate derived from materials lists and public disclosure, not a laboratory test result. When a company markets a "PFAS-free" claim, we note it as brand-stated below unless a third-party lab verification is cited in the product's underlying record.

Pantene conditioners, the budget baseline

Pantene's Pro-V line dominates drugstore shelves, and all three conditioners we reviewed land at the same Excellent, 75/100 estimate.

Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Conditioner

Materials, A standard silicone-and-surfactant conditioner base built around conventional conditioning agents rather than fluorinated polymers, based on available ingredient disclosure. Brand claims, Pantene markets this as a clean, everyday formula for manageability, though the company does not make an explicit PFAS-free claim on packaging reviewed. Pros, Low price, wide availability, consistent Excellent grade. Cons, Silicone buildup can weigh down fine hair over time; the formula is not marketed for color-treated or chemically damaged hair. Full listing at Pantene Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Conditioner.

Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Conditioner

Materials, Similar conditioning base to the Classic Clean formula with added repair-oriented polymers, per disclosed ingredients. Brand claims, Pantene positions this as a repair formula for damaged strands, a brand-stated benefit rather than a third-party verified clinical outcome. Pros, Same lower-concern PFAS estimate as the rest of the line, marketed specifically for heat and chemical damage. Cons, Heavier formula may not suit oily scalps. See Pantene Pantene Pro-V Repair & Protect Conditioner.

Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner

Materials, A moisture-focused variant using humectants and conditioning agents consistent with the brand's broader Pro-V formulation approach. Brand claims, Marketed for daily hydration with no PFAS-specific claim found in reviewed materials. Pros, Affordable, widely stocked, same Excellent estimate. Cons, Limited differentiation from other Pantene SKUs on this list. Details at Pantene Pantene Pro-V Daily Moisture Renewal Conditioner.

Olaplex, the premium repair category

Olaplex's No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner appears in our database under three separate listings, likely reflecting different retailer or packaging variants, and all three carry the identical Excellent, 75/100 estimate.

Olaplex No 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner

Materials, Olaplex's patented bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate bonding ingredient anchors the formula, alongside conventional conditioning agents, based on publicly disclosed ingredient lists. Brand claims, Olaplex markets bond repair technology as independently tested for efficacy on hair strength, though we did not find a specific third-party PFAS lab verification in the materials reviewed for this grade. Pros, Strong reputation among stylists, consistent lower-concern estimate across all three listed variants. Cons, Premium price point well above drugstore alternatives; the bond-repair claims relate to hair strength, not to PFAS content specifically. Compare the three listings, Olaplex No 5 Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner No. 5, and Olaplex Bond Maintenance Conditioner.

Pros across the Olaplex set, identical top-tier estimate, salon-grade positioning, suitable for chemically treated or color-treated hair per brand claims. Cons, redundant listings make comparison shopping slightly confusing, and the price premium is not reflected in a higher PFAS score since all three sit at the same 75/100 mark as cheaper competitors.

SheaMoisture, the curl-care specialist

SheaMoisture's coconut and hibiscus conditioners, along with its virgin coconut oil daily hydration formula, each earn the same Excellent, 75/100 estimate.

Shea Moisture Curl Shine Conditioner, Coconut Hibiscus and Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner

Materials, Shea butter and coconut oil form the base of these formulas, consistent with SheaMoisture's naturally derived ingredient positioning, based on available disclosure. Brand claims, SheaMoisture markets these products around natural and ethically sourced ingredients; the company does not appear to make an explicit PFAS-free claim in the materials reviewed, though the formulation profile supports the lower-concern estimate. Pros, Specifically formulated for curl definition and shine, two near-identical listings both reach the top grade. Cons, Heavier oils may not suit fine or straight hair textures; duplicate product listings can complicate price comparison. See Shea Moisture Curl Shine Conditioner Coconut Hibiscus and SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner.

Shea Moisture Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Conditioner

Materials, Virgin coconut oil-led formula intended for daily use, per the ingredient panel reviewed. Brand claims, Positioned as a daily hydrating option suitable for regular rotation, a brand-stated use case rather than an independently verified clinical claim. Pros, Daily-use formulation, same Excellent estimate as the brand's curl-specific line. Cons, Coconut oil-forward formulas can feel heavy on fine or oily scalps. Full details at Shea Moisture Virgin Coconut Oil Daily Hydration Conditioner.

Dove, the mass-market mainstay

Dove's three conditioners reviewed here, Daily Moisture, Dry Hair, and Coconut & Hydration, all land at Excellent, 75/100.

Dove Conditioner Daily Moisture

Materials, A conventional moisturizing conditioner base built for everyday use, based on available ingredient disclosure. Brand claims, Dove markets this as a gentle daily formula; no explicit PFAS-free claim was identified in the materials reviewed, but the disclosed formulation supports the lower-concern grade. Pros, Very affordable, broadly available, consistent grade with pricier competitors. Cons, Basic formula without targeted repair or curl-specific benefits. See Dove Dove Conditioner Daily Moisture.

Dove Conditioner for Dry Hair

Materials, A richer emollient blend aimed at dry or coarse hair textures, per disclosed ingredients. Brand claims, Marketed for intensive moisture, a brand-stated benefit. Pros, Same Excellent estimate, targeted for drier hair types. Cons, May feel too rich for fine or oily hair. Details at Dove Dove Conditioner for Dry Hair.

Dove Coconut & Hydration Conditioner

Materials, Coconut-scented hydrating formula consistent with Dove's broader conditioner range, based on reviewed ingredient data. Brand claims, Positioned as a tropical hydration variant. Pros, Same lower-concern estimate, pleasant scent profile cited by users. Cons, Minimal formulation difference from Dove's other two listed conditioners beyond fragrance. See Dove Dove Coconut & Hydration Conditioner.

What to avoid

None of the twelve conditioners graded in our database for this review carry a Poor or Fail rating, so this guide cannot point to a specific bottle on this list to avoid. That said, based on broader PFAS research and labeling patterns across the personal care industry, a few general red flags are worth watching for when a product is not in our graded database.

• Ingredient lists containing "fluoro" prefixed compounds, such as perfluorodecalin or polyperfluoromethylisopropyl ether, which are fluorinated additives sometimes used for slip and shine in hair products.
• Marketing language emphasizing "long-lasting shine" or "weightless silicone alternative" without any ingredient transparency, since vague claims can sometimes mask undisclosed fluorinated polymers.
• Products with no publicly available ingredient disclosure at all, which makes any PFAS estimate impossible to generate responsibly.
• Assuming a "natural" or "clean beauty" label automatically means lower PFAS risk; association between marketing language and actual formulation is not a verified causal link, and some naturally marketed products still use synthetic conditioning agents.

If you are shopping outside this list, run the product through our finder tool before buying, and compare against our broader cosmetics category roundup and moisturizer guide for related personal care categories that share similar formulation risks.

Our pick

Based on available materials and data, every conditioner in our reviewed database, from Pantene to Olaplex to SheaMoisture to Dove, earns the same Excellent, 75/100 model-based estimate. That flat result means price, hair type, and brand trust should drive your decision more than PFAS concern alone for these specific products. For budget-conscious everyday use, the Dove Dove Conditioner Daily Moisture and Pantene Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Conditioner deliver the same estimate at a fraction of the cost of salon brands. For curl-specific care, the SheaMoisture Curl Shine Conditioner Coconut Hibiscus is a reasonable option. For those prioritizing bond-repair positioning and willing to pay a premium, the Olaplex No 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner carries the same lower-concern grade as cheaper alternatives.

Remember that a high grade reflects no evidence of PFAS found in the reviewed sources and materials, not a certified lab guarantee of zero fluorinated compounds. For other PFAS-adjacent purchases, see our guides on makeup lip balm and long-wear lipstick, and foundation and primer.

FAQ

Is it true that all conditioners in this guide are PFAS-free?

No. Based on available materials and public disclosure, none of the twelve conditioners reviewed here show evidence of PFAS in the sources we checked, and each earns an Excellent, 75/100 model-based estimate. That is a lower-concern rating, not a certified claim of zero PFAS content, since our grades are estimates derived from ingredient disclosure rather than laboratory testing of each bottle.

Why do several products from the same brand, like Olaplex or Dove, all score identically?

Products from the same brand often share a similar core formulation approach and ingredient sourcing, which can lead to matching model-based estimates. In this case, duplicate or near-duplicate listings for the same product line, such as the three Olaplex No. 5 entries, reflect different catalog records rather than meaningfully different formulas.

Does a high PFAS grade mean a conditioner is linked to better health outcomes?

A high grade reflects a lower-concern estimate for PFAS presence based on available materials and data, not a health outcome claim. Any discussion of PFAS exposure and health is based on association found in broader research, not causation, and individual product use is only one small factor among many potential exposure sources.