Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Shampoo
Lower concern, liquid cosmetics rarely require PFAS, though no brand disclosure confirmed.
This liquid shampoo lacks waterproofing, nonstick, or stain-resistance claims and does not typically require PFAS surfactants or coatings. The brand has not publicly disclosed PFAS testing or claims.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water-based liquid shampoo, aqueous formulation
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Shampoo is made of, ingredients and materials
Cantu Ultra Moisture is a water-based liquid shampoo formulation, which means its primary ingredient is water with dissolved surfactants, humectants (likely glycerin or similar), and botanical extracts marketed as moisturizing agents. Liquid aqueous cosmetics like this typically do not require PFAS for performance because they lack the emulsification or water-repellence demands that drive PFAS use in powders, foundations, or waterproof products. The formulation's reliance on plant-derived conditioning agents (shea butter, coconut oil extracts) is a material-level choice that reduces synthetic chemical load compared to silicone-heavy alternatives.
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 and sensitizers
Shampoos marketed as fragrant botanical blends often contain undisclosed fragrance compounds and essential oils that can trigger contact dermatitis or scalp sensitivity in users with fragrance sensitivities. Cantu's product likely includes fragrance blends, but specific allergen data is not published; patch testing is recommended for sensitive skin.
Eye irritation risk
As a shampoo, the product contacts eyes during rinsing. Standard surfactants are formulated to minimize ocular irritation, but individuals with sensitive eyes may experience mild stinging. The product is not ophthalmologically tested to the level of specialized eye products; treat accidental contact with normal water rinse.
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 (surfactant contaminant)
Shampoos formulated with ethoxylated surfactants may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. No specific testing or reports exist for Cantu Ultra Moisture; this is a category-wide concern for liquid surfactant-based products, not unique to this brand.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some preservative systems in shampoos (e.g., imidazolidinyl urea, dmdm hydantoin) release trace formaldehyde during storage. No disclosed preservative system or documented formaldehyde release data for this product; standard industry practice suggests this risk is low in modern formulations.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Plant-derived ingredients (shea butter, coconut oil, plant extracts) may accumulate trace heavy metals depending on source soil. No third-party testing or contamination reports exist for Cantu products; this reflects a supply-chain gap common to botanical beauty brands rather than a brand-specific violation.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Cantu has not published comprehensive ingredient safety disclosures or third-party certifications (such as EWG verification or dermatologist testing claims) on the product label or website. The brand maintains a silent stance on PFAS, meaning no affirmative commitment to PFAS-free formulation exists in public records, though absence of declaration is not evidence of contamination in a liquid product. No established recalls or safety investigations specific to this shampoo are on record with the FDA or consumer safety databases; the brand operates in the mainstream mass-market beauty segment without documented controversies.
How it compares in its category
Cantu Ultra Moisture sits in the mid-market, sulfate-free shampoo category and is comparable in hazard profile to other mainstream plant-oil-based shampoos (e.g., SheaMoisture, Carol's Daughter). Its water-based liquid format eliminates concerns specific to powder or aerosol cosmetics. It lacks third-party eco or safety certifications that brands like Acure or Burt's Bees advertise, but this reflects marketing positioning rather than established safety gaps; formulation hazards are typical of unspecialized consumer shampoos.
If you buy it
Store away from direct heat and sunlight to preserve botanical extracts and prevent oxidation. Use as directed, apply to wet hair, lather, and rinse thoroughly; no special precautions are needed for normal scalp or hair use. Discontinue use if scalp irritation, itching, or rash develops, as these may indicate sensitivity to fragrance or plant-derived ingredients. No special maintenance, replacement triggers, or heat exposure limits apply; treat it as a standard consumable with a typical shelf life of 2-3 years unopened and 6-12 months after opening, depending on storage conditions.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Cantu 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.