Briogeo Don't Despair Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo
Lower-concern product with no typical PFAS use-cases, though the brand offers no explicit assurance.
This liquid shampoo lacks waterproofing, water-resistance, or nonstick coatings that typically drive PFAS use. The brand hasn't published a PFAS policy or testing results.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous shampoo base with botanical extracts
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Briogeo Don't Despair Moisture Shampoo is made of, ingredients and materials
Don't Despair Repair is a water-based shampoo formulated with botanical extracts (argan oil, coconut oil, keratin) and standard surfactants for cleansing. As a rinse-off product applied briefly to hair and scalp before washing away, systemic absorption is minimal compared to leave-on cosmetics. The aqueous base means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) off-gas from the product itself, unlike some dry shampoos or aerosol formats.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens
Product contains fragrance (undisclosed blend); botanical extracts and fragrance compounds can trigger contact dermatitis or scalp sensitivity in susceptible individuals. Briogeo does not list individual fragrance constituents, making patch-testing difficult.
Preservative safety (methylisothiazolinone or similar)
Aqueous shampoos require preservatives to prevent bacterial growth; specific preservatives are not disclosed on typical product labels. Contact dermatitis has been reported with some modern preservative systems, though incidence is low and this product carries no known complaints.
Scalp irritation from surfactant residue
Even sulfate-free shampoos can leave surfactant residue if rinsed inadequately, particularly in hard water. This is a usage issue rather than a formulation hazard, but relevant for sensitive scalps.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
1,4-dioxane (processing contaminant)
Surfactants in shampoos can harbor trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of ethoxylation. No testing or disclosure from Briogeo is on record for this product; risk is inherent to the material class but unverified for this specific formulation.
Heavy metals
Botanical ingredients (argan, coconut, keratin) may concentrate trace cadmium or lead depending on soil sourcing. Briogeo does not publish heavy-metal testing data; risk is low for rinse-off use but unquantified.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Briogeo markets itself as a clean beauty brand and has published ingredient transparency on its website. The brand does not explicitly state PFAS-free status or hold third-party certifications like EWG Verified or USDA Organic, though it avoids many flagged ingredients (parabens, sulfates, silicones). No recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific product or the brand related to heavy metals, allergens, or preservative hazards.
How it compares in its category
This shampoo sits in the mid-premium conventional segment, cleaner formulation than mass-market drugstore brands but less regulated than certified organic alternatives. Botanical-extract shampoos in this price range typically carry similar risk profiles. The lack of sodium lauryl sulfate and the inclusion of plant-derived moisturizers are standard marketing points rather than differentiators that reduce chemical hazards.
If you buy it
Use as directed, apply to damp hair, lather, rinse thoroughly. No special storage precautions needed beyond keeping the bottle upright and sealed. Discontinue use if scalp irritation develops, though sensitization risk is low for rinse-off products. Replace when empty; unopened bottles are shelf-stable for years if kept cool and dry.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Briogeo has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More shampoo grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.