Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Shampoo
Lower PFAS concern; standard rinse-off shampoo with no typical PFAS triggers.
Liquid shampoos don't require Teflon-type coating coatings, Teflon-family coating, or water or stain-resistance treatments where PFAS typically appear. No brand PFAS disclosure exists, but the product lacks typical contamination pathways.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous shampoo base (water, surfactants, conditioning agents)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Shampoo is made of, ingredients and materials
Kristin Ess Signature Shampoo is a water-based surfactant formula typical of mainstream salon-brand shampoos. The aqueous base means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released during use, and the rinse-off nature limits skin contact time with any conditioning agents or preservatives. Surfactants clean by breaking down oils; conditioning agents (likely silicones or plant extracts based on product positioning) remain on hair but are largely rinsed away, reducing systemic absorption risk.
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 (undisclosed component list)
The product contains 'fragrance' as a listed ingredient but does not itemize specific fragrance components (common practice in mass-market shampoos). Potential allergens such as limonene, linalool, or eugenol may be present but are not declared individually. Risk of contact dermatitis is low for most users but higher for fragrance-sensitive individuals.
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing contaminant)
Shampoos containing ethoxylated surfactants (common in mainstream formulas) may retain trace 1,4-dioxane from the ethoxylation process, though FDA regulations and industry practices typically keep levels well below 10 ppm. No specific testing data for this product is publicly available.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No independent testing results or disclosures confirm the use of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, dioxolane) in this specific product. Industry-standard alternatives (methylchloroisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol) are more likely but not verified from public sources.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
This is a liquid shampoo with no visible exfoliating beads. Microplastic polymers are not typical ingredients in rinse-off shampoos, only in physical scrubs. No known microplastic concern for this product category.
Source, EPA ↗Heavy metals
Shampoos are not heavily pigmented products; they typically contain minimal or no added colorants. Risk of lead, cadmium, or arsenic contamination is negligible compared to cosmetics like lipsticks or eyeshadows.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kristin Ess is a mass-market hair-care brand owned by Unilever and sold through drugstore and online retailers. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient safety disclosures, sustainability reports, or third-party certifications (such as EWG Verified or Leaping Bunny). No major safety recalls or controversies are on record for this product or brand in consumer databases. Ingredient transparency is typical of conventional drugstore brands rather than premium.
How it compares in its category
This shampoo sits in the mainstream mass-market category, similar to Pantene, Garnier, and Store brands in formulation approach and hazard profile. It lacks the certifications or transparency claims of premium indie or natural brands (like Aveeno or SheaMoisture lines that list fragrance allergen info). Price and performance are competitive; safety profile is consistent with category norms, neither elevated nor reduced risk versus equivalents.
If you buy it
Use as directed on the label, apply to wet hair, lather, rinse thoroughly with cool or warm water. No special heat precautions are needed since shampoo is rinsed away before any hair-styling heat is applied. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve preservative efficacy. If scalp irritation or allergic reactions occur, discontinue and consult a dermatologist; fragrance or preservative sensitivity is the most common trigger in this category.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Kristin Ess 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.