Neutrogena Moisturizing Healthy Scalp Hydro Boost Shampoo
Lower PFAS concern; typical rinse-off cosmetic with no known water-repellent coating treatment or fluorinated additives.
This rinse-off shampoo contains no waterproofing, stain resistance, or non-stick coatings that drive PFAS use in cosmetics. Neutrogena hasn't publicly disclosed PFAS content or made PFAS-free claims.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous shampoo (water, surfactants, polymers)
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Neutrogena Moisturizing Boost Shampoo is made of, ingredients and materials
This is a water-based shampoo formulation typical of mass-market scalp-care products. The 'Hydro Boost' line uses humectants (likely glycerin or hyaluronic acid) and mild surfactants to clean without heavy silicones. Neutrogena's formulations in this range avoid the thickening polymers and conditioning agents that can accumulate on hair over time, making it a lower-buildup option. As a rinse-off product applied for seconds to minutes, systemic absorption risk is negligible.
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.
1,4-dioxane (processing contaminant)
Common impurity in ethoxylated surfactants used in mass-market shampoos. Not intentionally added but may be present as a byproduct. Levels in rinse-off cosmetics are typically below 10 ppm and exposure is transient.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Neutrogena shampoos list 'fragrance' as a catch-all ingredient. Individual sensitized consumers may react; no specific allergen recall is on record for this line, but fragrance is a known irritant for scalp-sensitive individuals.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
This product formulation does not list common formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea) in typical ingredient disclosures. Risk is low for this category and brand.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
This shampoo contains no visible colorants or decorative pigments, only functional ingredients. Cosmetic-grade water and approved surfactants are regulated for lead and cadmium limits by FDA.
Source, FDA ↗Microplastics
The 'Hydro Boost' formula does not include exfoliating beads or plastic microparticles. This product is not subject to microplastics bans affecting physical scrub products.
Source, EPA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Neutrogena (owned by Johnson & Johnson) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient safety data or third-party certifications for PFAS avoidance in shampoos. The brand has faced historical scrutiny over sunscreen products (unrelated to this shampoo) but no established recalls or safety actions specific to shampoo lines. J&J maintains compliance with FDA and EU cosmetic regulations, which set limits on certain allergens and contaminants, but the company's transparency on ingredient sourcing remains limited compared to indie or certified brands.
How it compares in its category
Mass-market drugstore shampoos like Neutrogena sit in the middle tier for ingredient transparency. They have lower concern than some clarifying or color-treated formulas (which may use heavier chelants) but offer less detailed sourcing than salon brands or brands with third-party certifications (Ecocert, Leaping Bunny). The 'Healthy Scalp' positioning suggests a focus on scalp health over heavy conditioning, which reduces the likelihood of polymer buildup or irritant cumulation.
If you buy it
Use as directed, apply to wet hair, massage briefly, rinse thoroughly. No special heat precautions apply to a rinse-off shampoo. If scalp irritation develops after a few uses, discontinue and patch-test on a small area before resuming. Shampoos do not require replacement on a fixed schedule; finish the bottle before switching unless a reaction occurs. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve stability.
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
- Neutrogena has made a specific claim
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.