Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
Lower risk, typical cosmetic with no known risk factors.
Mielle Organics makes no PFAS disclosures for this shampoo. Liquid cosmetics without waterproofing or grease-resistance are not typical PFAS-application products and show no lab detection or regulatory concerns.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous shampoo solution (surfactants, water, plant 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 (from rosemary, mint, and any added fragrance compounds)
Plant extracts and essential oils are common allergens; individuals with sensitive scalp or fragrance sensitivity may experience contact dermatitis. This product does not disclose whether fragrance components are single-source botanicals or synthetic equivalents, limiting allergen predictability.
1,4-dioxane (from ethoxylated surfactants)
If the shampoo uses polyethylene glycol (PEG) or polyethoxylated surfactants as foaming agents, trace 1,4-dioxane can form during manufacture or degradation. The ingredient list does not confirm or exclude these surfactant types; publicly available records do not indicate whether Mielle sources 1,4-dioxane-free surfactants.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Heavy metals
No published test results for lead, cadmium, or arsenic in this product. Aqueous cosmetics sourced from uncontaminated water and agricultural inputs present low risk, but Mielle does not disclose supply-chain testing, so this cannot be ruled out entirely.
Source: FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Aqueous shampoos require preservatives to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. If Mielle uses imidazolidinyl urea or DMDM hydantoin (common in cosmetics), trace formaldehyde release is possible, but full ingredient disclosure is not available to confirm or rule this out.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastics
No visible use of polypropylene or polyethylene beads reported in this product line. Shampoos are primarily liquid; risk is low unless exfoliating beads are present, which this formulation does not appear to contain based on product description.
Source: EPA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo is an aqueous surfactant-based cleanser with plant extracts (rosemary, mint) and water as primary components. Aqueous shampoos present lower inherent chemical risk than solid or oil-based products because surfactants rinse away completely after use and don't accumulate on skin. The plant extracts are added for fragrance and purported strengthening benefits, not as preservative systems, so formaldehyde-releaser risk is low in this type of product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Mielle Organics markets itself as a natural and organic brand targeting textured hair care; the company does not publicly disclose full third-party testing or heavy-metal screening results for individual products. The brand holds no visible certifications from USDA Organic, EWG Verified, or similar bodies. No product recalls, contamination incidents, or regulatory actions on record for this line. The brand's PFAS stance is absent from public statements, typical of cosmetic companies that do not voluntarily communicate on PFAS management.
How it compares in its category
This shampoo sits in the mid-market premium segment; it is positioned above mass-market drugstore brands (which often use cheaper surfactants and synthetic dyes) but below ultra-luxury salon brands that may disclose heavy-metal testing. Comparable natural shampoo brands vary widely in transparency; some (e.g., Acure, SheaMoisture) publish ingredient sourcing, while others (including most indie brands) do not. Aqueous shampoos as a category pose lower hazard than concentrated conditioners or styling sprays that may contain higher residue levels.
If you buy it
Use as directed on damp hair; rinse thoroughly to remove all residue, as incomplete rinsing can leave surfactants on the scalp and potentially trigger irritation in sensitive individuals. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve plant extract integrity and prevent microbial growth in the bottle. Replace when product separates, smells off, or shows visible mold or discoloration. No heat exposure hazard exists because shampoo is rinsed before any heat styling.
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.