Redken All Soft Shampoo
Lower PFAS concern for a rinse-off shampoo without brand transparency.
This rinse-off shampoo requires no waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick coatings that would introduce PFAS. Redken makes no public PFAS disclosure, and residual polymers from rinse-off products pose minimal bioaccumulation risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous surfactant blend, polymers, conditioning agents
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 irritants
Redken All Soft contains fragrance, which is a known sensitizer for some individuals. Specific allergens in the fragrance blend are not disclosed on the label, making it impossible to identify if limonene, linalool, or other common irritants are present; this is standard industry practice but limits transparency.
1,4-dioxane (synthetic byproduct)
Surfactants derived from ethoxylation (common in rinse-off shampoos) may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing contaminant. No public testing of this product exists; regulatory limits allow trace amounts in cosmetics, and rinse-off use minimizes exposure, but the hazard cannot be ruled out.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Some shampoos use preservatives that release small amounts of formaldehyde as a byproduct of stability. Redken does not publicly list preservative systems; formaldehyde-releasing agents like DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea are not known to be in this product but cannot be ruled out without full ingredient transparency.
Source: ATSDR ↗Eye irritation from surfactant residue
Shampoos formulated with sulfates or other cleansing surfactants carry inherent risk of eye sting if rinsing is incomplete. No specific product complaints for All Soft are documented, but this is a category-wide consideration for any rinse-off shampoo.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Heavy metals
No recalls or reported incidents of lead, cadmium, or arsenic contamination in Redken All Soft exist on public record. Cosmetic-grade surfactants and polymers are typically purified to exclude heavy metals, though independent third-party verification is not disclosed by the brand.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Redken All Soft Shampoo is an aqueous surfactant blend designed to clean and condition hair. It contains conditioning polymers and emollients that remain on the scalp and hair only briefly before rinsing, minimizing systemic absorption. The rinse-off nature of shampoo means dermal contact time is measured in minutes, substantially reducing exposure to any residual chemical compared to leave-on products like lotions or creams.
The brand's record and disclosure
Redken is owned by L'Oreal, a multinational with mixed transparency on ingredient safety and PFAS use. The brand does not publicly disclose ingredient sourcing or third-party testing for heavy metals or synthetic residues. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to All Soft Shampoo are on public record. Redken follows baseline US FDA cosmetic regulations but does not seek additional certifications like EWG Verified or cruelty-free standards.
How it compares in its category
All Soft ranks mid-tier among mass-market shampoos: formulations are comparable to drugstore brands like Pantene or Garnier but lack the transparency of indie or certified-clean brands. The conditioning polymer profile is typical for anti-frizz or moisturizing shampoos and poses no unusual risk relative to category peers. No major ingredient is notably more concerning than standard professional shampoo lines.
If you buy it
Use as directed: lather, massage scalp for 1-2 minutes, rinse thoroughly with water. No heating or extended contact required. Replace when empty; no degradation or contamination risk accumulates with storage in a sealed bottle at room temperature. If scalp irritation develops, discontinue and consult a dermatologist; sensitivity to fragrance or sulfates is possible in susceptible individuals but not a product-specific issue.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Redken has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Mechanical irritation from crystal size and shape
Moderate concern
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✓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.