Bumble and bumble · Hair Spray
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray
Low concern; spray styling product shows no known PFAS triggers, though chemical composition remains undisclosed.
This styling spray contains no publicly documented use of fluorinated compounds, Teflon-type coating, or water/stain-resistant treatments typical of PFAS applications. The brand makes no PFAS-related information available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
spray formulation (polymers, propellant, solvents)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) from solvents
Spray products release alcohol and hydrocarbon solvents during application. Exposure is brief and localized; risk is negligible in normal ventilated use but inhalation of high concentrations during prolonged application in unventilated spaces could cause respiratory irritation.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Bumble and bumble formulations typically include fragrance compounds. No specific allergen triggers have been identified for this product, but individuals with fragrance sensitivity or scalp dermatitis may experience contact irritation or allergic reaction.
Propellant-related respiratory irritation
Hydrocarbon propellants in aerosol sprays can irritate airways if inhaled directly in high concentration. Risk is mitigated by brief exposure during normal use; risk increases with intentional inhalation or use in small enclosed spaces.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public information links this product to formaldehyde-releasing preservatives or other problematic antimicrobial additives. Standard cosmetic preservatives in hair sprays do not typically accumulate on hair or skin.
Source: ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Thickening sprays do not rely on colorants or mineral actives that commonly introduce lead or cadmium. No recalls or testing data suggest contamination in this product category.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray is a polymeric hair styling spray, typically composed of film-forming resins (acrylate copolymers or similar), volatile organic solvents (alcohol-based), and a hydrocarbon propellant. The polymers adhere to hair to create hold and texture; solvents evaporate during application, leaving the resin coating behind. Hair sprays in this category do not require the same ingredient scrutiny as products applied to skin or ingested, since the scalp barrier is significantly more resistant to penetration than facial skin or mucous membranes.
The brand's record and disclosure
Bumble and bumble does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient breakdowns or third-party safety certifications specific to this product. The brand has not issued statements addressing PFAS content in their spray formulations, and no independent recalls or safety advisories have been associated with this product in public databases. Like most prestige hair-care brands, Bumble and bumble maintains compliance with regulatory standards (FDA, EU Cosmetics Regulation) but operates without exceptional transparency beyond that baseline.
How it compares in its category
Bumble and Bumble Thickening Spray is mid-range in the professional hair-spray market in terms of both price and ingredient complexity. Most competing products (Oribe, Moroccanoil, drugstore brands like Pantene) use similar polymer and solvent chemistries with comparable safety profiles. Products marketed as 'clean' or 'natural' (e.g., Briogeo, Rahua) may substitute natural resins or reduce volatile solvent content, but functional performance differences are marginal and safety risk is broadly equivalent across the category.
If you buy it
Apply in short bursts in well-ventilated spaces to minimize inhalation of solvent vapors; do not spray near eyes. Store away from heat sources and direct sunlight, as propellant containers are pressurized. Replace when the spray mechanism fails or nozzle clogs; do not attempt to refill. Use as a styling aid for damp or dry hair; excessive application will not improve hold and increases solvent exposure. Normal usage poses no systemic risk; discontinue only if scalp irritation or allergic response develops.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Bumble and bumble has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More hair spray 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.