PFAS in Shampoo, Which Brands Grade Best and Worst

Based on available materials and data reviewed for this guide Puracy Public Goods Shampoo Refill and Credo Beauty Roz Salt Scalp Scrub currently sit at the top of our shampoo database, each with a model-based estimate of 100/100 and an overall grade of Excellent. Both formulations show no evidence of PFAS found in reviewed sources, a distinction from a lab-verified claim, and both are worth a look if you're trying to reduce exposure to fluorinated compounds in daily hair care.

This guide compares fifteen graded shampoo and scalp-care products, ranking from Excellent-tier formulas with high scores to Excellent-tier formulas with more moderate scores, so you can see how brand claims, ingredient disclosure, and our model's estimates line up. No product on this list is labeled "PFAS-free" as a matter of fact; instead we describe grades as lower concern or higher concern based on available materials, not as certainty from a laboratory. For the full, sortable product list, visit the shampoo finder.

Summary Comparison

Product	PFAS Grade (Score)	Verdict
Puracy Public Goods Shampoo Refill	Excellent (100/100)	Top-tier estimate, lower concern
Credo Beauty Roz Salt Scalp Scrub	Excellent (100/100)	Top-tier estimate, lower concern
Puracy Puracy Natural Shampoo	Excellent (90/100)	Strong estimate, lower concern
Vanicream Vanicream Shampoo	Excellent (90/100)	Strong estimate, lower concern
Head & Shoulders Classic Clean Dandruff Shampoo	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Classic Clean w/ Vitamin E	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo and Conditioner	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Head & Shoulders Smooth & Silky Dandruff Shampoo	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo (alt listing)	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Olaplex No.4 Fine Bond Maintenance Shampoo	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Head & Shoulders Anti-Dandruff Classic Clean Shampoo	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Aussie Total Miracle Shampoo	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern
Aussie Miracle Volume Shampoo	Excellent (75/100)	Good estimate, moderate-lower concern

The Top Tier, 100/100 Estimates

Puracy Public Goods Shampoo Refill

Materials, Positioned as a plant-derived, refill-format cleanser. Brand claims, Puracy markets this line around simple, non-toxic ingredient sourcing; these are brand-stated claims, not independent lab verification. Pros, Highest score in our shampoo database, refill packaging may appeal to sustainability-minded buyers, no evidence of PFAS found in reviewed sources. Cons, A high model score reflects available disclosure and materials data, not a guarantee that every batch or every ingredient supplier is chemically identical over time.

Credo Beauty Roz Salt Scalp Scrub

Materials, A salt-based scalp scrub rather than a traditional liquid shampoo, sold through Credo's curated clean-beauty retail model. Brand claims, Credo requires vendors to meet an internal restricted-ingredient list, a brand and retailer-level claim rather than a third-party lab certification for this specific SKU. Pros, Ties with the top score in our database, retailer-level ingredient screening adds a layer of scrutiny beyond the manufacturer alone. Cons, Scalp scrubs serve a different function than daily shampoo, so this may be a supplement to, not a replacement for, your regular wash routine.

Strong Runners-Up, 90/100 Estimates

Puracy Puracy Natural Shampoo

Materials, A plant-based surfactant system marketed as the brand's flagship "natural" shampoo line. Brand claims, Puracy states the formula avoids sulfates and synthetic fragrance; these remain brand-stated positions. Pros, High score, consistent with the brand's other Excellent-tier entry. Cons, Slightly lower score than the refill version, suggesting some difference in disclosed materials or formulation detail.

Vanicream Vanicream Shampoo

Materials, A fragrance-free, dye-free formula frequently recommended for sensitive scalps. Brand claims, Vanicream markets the product as free of common irritants like dyes, masking fragrances, and certain preservatives; again, brand-stated rather than independently lab-confirmed for PFAS specifically. Pros, Strong score, minimalist ingredient philosophy generally correlates with fewer undisclosed additives. Cons, Minimalist formulas can sometimes underperform on styling or fragrance experience compared to more heavily formulated competitors.

The 75/100 Cluster, Mainstream Shampoos That Still Grade Excellent

A large group of familiar drugstore and salon-brand shampoos, including multiple Head & Shoulders variants, several Olaplex No.4 listings, and the Aussie Miracle Moist and Total Miracle lines, land at 75/100. This is still graded Excellent in our system, but it sits meaningfully below the 90 to 100 tier.

Materials, These are conventional mass-market formulations with more complex ingredient lists (silicones, synthetic conditioning agents, fragrance blends) than the minimalist entries above. Brand claims, Procter & Gamble (Head & Shoulders) and Olaplex both publish general ingredient transparency pages, but none of the listed products carry a specific third-party PFAS-free certification in the materials we reviewed. Pros, Widely available, dermatologically tested for dandruff or bond-repair claims, no evidence of PFAS found in reviewed sources at the time of grading. Cons, Lower score than the top tier suggests less available disclosure or more complex synthetic content, which our model weights conservatively. Score differences between near-identical product names (for example, the two separate Olaplex No.4 listings) likely reflect differences in disclosed formulation data available at the time each was reviewed, not necessarily a real-world safety gap.

What to Avoid

• Vague "long-lasting" or "waterproof" hair claims. Fluorinated ingredients have historically been used in some personal care and cosmetic formulas to create slip or water resistance; a product line that leans heavily on those descriptors deserves a closer ingredient read, similar to how we advise checking waterproof mascara or foundation and primer labels.
• Ingredient names containing "fluoro" or "perfluoro." These prefixes are the clearest available signal on a label, though absence of the term does not guarantee absence of PFAS, since disclosure rules vary.
• Brands with no public ingredient list at all. Our model can only estimate from available materials; a brand that discloses less gives us, and you, less to evaluate.