Moroccanoil Scalp Balancing Shampoo
Lower concern, typical liquid shampoo with no PFAS-prone features, but no brand transparency.
This liquid cosmetic lacks waterproofing, water-resistance, or nonstick coatings that typically require PFAS and carries lower risk than the formulation type usually demands. Moroccanoil has not published PFAS avoidance claims.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous shampoo base with argan oil, silicones, and surfactants
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Moroccanoil Scalp Balancing Shampoo is made of, ingredients and materials
Moroccanoil Scalp Balancing Shampoo is an aqueous surfactant base enriched with argan oil and silicones, designed as a rinse-off product. Argan oil is a plant lipid with no known toxicity profile at cosmetic concentrations. Silicones (likely dimethicone or cyclomethicone) are inert, non-volatile polymers that coat hair and wash away completely; they do not bioaccumulate or penetrate skin. The surfactants (specific types not disclosed on label) are standard anionic or amphoteric cleaning agents that break down in sewage.
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
Moroccanoil formulations typically include fragrance (parfum) listed on label but not broken down to specific allergens. Common fragrance components (limonene, linalool) are present in argan oil naturally and may trigger contact sensitization in individuals with fragrance sensitivity; incidence is low but not zero.
Argan oil oxidation or rancidity
Argan oil contains polyunsaturated fats susceptible to oxidation if product is stored in warm conditions or past expiry; oxidized oil may irritate scalp but poses no systemic toxicity risk at typical shampoo concentrations.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Silicone accumulation or scalp buildup
Silicones are water-soluble in rinse-off shampoo format when rinsed thoroughly. Buildup risk is minimal with weekly cleansing, though heavy use without clarifying rinses may leave residue on scalp; this is a cosmetic concern, not a safety hazard.
1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant)
No published test reports confirm 1,4-dioxane in this product. Moroccanoil does not disclose supply chain audits for surfactant purity, so residual dioxane from manufacturing cannot be ruled out, but incidence in premium brands is uncommon and typically below regulatory concern thresholds if present.
Heavy metals
Shampoo is typically clear or pale yellow; no evidence of iron oxides, titanium dioxide, or other pigmented additives. No known recalls or testing data suggest heavy metal contamination in Moroccanoil's base formulation.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Moroccanoil does not publicly disclose a detailed ingredient safety review, third-party certifications (e.g., EWG, cruelty-free standards), or formulation transparency beyond marketing claims. The brand has no known major recalls or documented safety controversies in published databases. No independent testing reports or independent lab audits of this product line are on record, meaning safety claims rest primarily on compliance with cosmetic regulations (FDA in US, REACH in EU) rather than voluntary transparency.
How it compares in its category
Scalp-balancing shampoos typically contain zinc pyrithione, salicylic acid, or tea tree oil for anti-microbial or exfoliating action; Moroccanoil's argan oil approach is gentler and less medicated. Most premium shampoos in this price tier rely on silicones and plant oils for slip and conditioning, making this formula unremarkable. It avoids harsh sulfate surfactants (SLS/SLES), which is standard for luxury brands, but offers no clinically validated scalp-specific benefit over drugstore alternatives.
If you buy it
Use as directed, wet hair, apply, massage scalp briefly, rinse thoroughly. Silicones will not build up on hair if rinsed well. Store away from direct heat and sunlight to preserve argan oil oxidation stability (typically 2-3 years shelf life). Discontinue if scalp irritation or contact dermatitis develops. No special precautions needed for children over age 2, but patch test if sensitive to fragrance or essential oils if present.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Moroccanoil 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.