Function of Beauty Curly Hair Shampoo Base with Chia Extract
Lower PFAS concern. Liquid shampoo with no waterproofing, nonstick, or stain-resist claims.
This liquid cosmetic has no disclosed water-repellent or oil-repellent treatments. Cosmetic liquids rarely need PFAS unless they claim waterproofing or stain-resistance, which this product doesn't. No third-party testing is disclosed, but the product type suggests lower inherent PFAS risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Aqueous shampoo base with botanical extract (chia)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Shampoos often contain fragrance blends (synthetic or essential oils) that can trigger contact dermatitis or allergic reactions on the scalp or in individuals with fragrance sensitivity. Function of Beauty does not clearly disclose fragrance components on the product page examined; full fragrance transparency is not standard in this brand tier.
1,4-dioxane (processing contaminant)
Liquid shampoo bases may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of ethoxylation in some surfactants, particularly if sulfate-based cleaners are used. This product's full surfactant system is not publicly itemized, so residual contamination cannot be ruled out, though levels in rinse-off products are typically below concern thresholds.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public record or regulatory action indicates that this product uses formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea). Modern liquid shampoos typically use milder preservative systems, but ingredient lists should be reviewed if you have known sensitivity to preservative-class chemicals.
Source: ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Chia seed and chia extract are generally recognized as safe food ingredients and carry no established heavy-metal contamination alerts in cosmetic formulations. The FDA does not list chia as a high-risk botanical for lead or cadmium accumulation.
Source: FDA ↗Talc or talc-adjacent powders (if applicable)
This is a liquid shampoo with no talc-containing ingredients on record. Talc concern applies to dry cosmetics (powders, foundations); not relevant to aqueous shampoo bases.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is an aqueous (water-based) shampoo concentrate with chia seed extract as a botanical additive. The base formulation is typical for liquid shampoos: surfactants (cleaning agents), water, and preservatives. Chia extract itself is a food-grade botanical with no established toxicology concerns at cosmetic use levels. Because this is a rinse-off product applied briefly to hair and scalp before washing away, dermal absorption and systemic exposure are minimal compared to leave-on cosmetics.
The brand's record and disclosure
Function of Beauty markets customizable personal care products and publishes ingredient lists on product pages. The brand has not faced major safety recalls on record for this shampoo line. However, the brand maintains public silence on PFAS sourcing and does not advertise third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, NSF, or cruelty-free seals) on most products. This reflects typical industry practice for mid-market beauty brands rather than a red flag specific to this formulation.
How it compares in its category
Liquid shampoos carry lower inherent safety risk than solid or powder formulations because water-based products do not concentrate ingredients and require minimal preservatives relative to anhydrous (waterless) bases. This product's inclusion of a single botanical extract is common and not a differentiator. Mainstream drugstore shampoos and premium salon brands use similar surfactant systems and preservative profiles; Function of Beauty's customization angle does not introduce novel chemical classes.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to preserve botanical actives and prevent premature degradation. Use as directed and discontinue if scalp irritation or contact dermatitis develops (rare but possible with any shampoo if you have sensitive skin). Liquid shampoos do not require special maintenance; simply ensure the bottle cap seals properly to prevent bacterial growth or mold in the unused product. Replace every 12 months or if visible separation, odor change, or discoloration occurs.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Function of Beauty has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Shampoo
Credo Beauty
Roz Salt Scalp Scrub
salt crystals, mineral-based scrub
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Mechanical irritation from crystal size and shape
Moderate concern
Low risk, salt scrub formulation carries minimal PFAS concern.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Puracy
Public Goods Shampoo Refill
aqueous surfactant-based liquid shampoo
1,4-dioxane (surfactant byproduct)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Limited concern
Bacterial or mold growth in refill container
Limited concern
Lower concern for a MADE SAFE certified shampoo avoiding fluorinated ingredients.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Puracy
Natural Shampoo
aqueous surfactants, plant-derived cleansers
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants)
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lower concern for a liquid shampoo with minimal PFAS risk in this category.
⚠Risky category by default
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.