Mielle Scalp Moisturizing Shampoo Lavender & Lychee 12 fl oz
Lower risk, typical shampoo with no known PFAS application, brand uncommitted.
This liquid surfactant product needs no water-repellent coatings, stain resistance, or nonstick treatment where PFAS typically appears. The brand stays silent on PFAS but the formulation category poses minimal conventional risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous shampoo formulation (surfactants, water, botanical extracts)
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
Lavender and lychee extracts plus undisclosed fragrance components may trigger contact dermatitis or scalp irritation in individuals with fragrance sensitivity, though incidence is not high in typical shampoo use.
1,4-dioxane (surfactant byproduct)
Ethoxylated surfactants used in shampoos can be contaminated with trace 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing. Mielle does not publicly disclose testing for this contaminant; rinse-off product design minimizes dermal exposure compared to leave-on products.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Heavy metals
No recalls or test results on record for lead, cadmium, or arsenic in Mielle products. Botanical sources (lavender, lychee) are typically low-accumulation plants, but brand does not publish heavy metal testing data.
Source: FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence of methylisothiazolinone (MIT), DMDM hydantoin, or other formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in Mielle shampoos based on available ingredient lists; rinse-off format also reduces preservative burden.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastic beads or synthetic polymers
No microbeads or polyethylene microplastics reported in Mielle shampoo formulations; this brand does not use physical exfoliants in this product line.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Mielle Scalp Moisturizing Shampoo is a water-based surfactant formulation with botanical extracts (lavender, lychee) and humectants typical of modern shampoos. The aqueous base means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or formaldehyde off-gassing risk characteristic of leave-on treatments or sprays. Surfactants in shampoos are designed to rinse away completely, minimizing dermal absorption of individual ingredients during normal use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Mielle Organics markets products with organic and natural positioning but does not publish comprehensive ingredient safety testing or third-party certifications (e.g., EWG verification, NSF organic). The brand has no documented safety recalls or regulatory warnings on public record. Transparency on PFAS avoidance is absent, though no evidence suggests intentional PFAS use in rinse-off shampoos by this or peer brands.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mid-market natural/organic shampoo segment, comparable in safety profile to brands like SheaMoisture and Carol's Daughter. Rinse-off shampoos carry lower systemic exposure risk than leave-on conditioners or styling products because contact time is brief and washout is near-complete. Price and botanical marketing are its differentiators, not measurably higher or lower hazard than conventional sulfate-free alternatives.
If you buy it
Use as directed on damp hair and rinse thoroughly with water; no special precautions needed for typical scalp or hair application. For sensitive scalp, patch test on a small area first, as fragrances and botanical extracts occasionally trigger irritation in susceptible individuals. Store below 25°C (77°F) away from direct sunlight to preserve botanical stability. Replace when empty; opened shampoo typically maintains integrity for 12-18 months if kept sealed.
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
- Mielle Organics 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.