Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
Lower concern for typical rinse-off shampoo without PFAS-prone applications.
This rinse-off liquid shampoo has no water-repellency, nonstick coating, or stain-resistance requirements where PFAS would typically be needed. The product category carries intrinsically lower PFAS risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous liquid shampoo (water, cleansers, 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.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Aqueous shampoos often use preservatives like diazolidinyl urea or imidazolidinyl urea, which can slowly release formaldehyde in storage. No specific preservative system has been published for this product; rinsing nature of use minimizes absorption risk even if present, but sensitive scalps may react.
Source: ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
The product lists 'fragrance' as a general ingredient, which can include 30+ chemicals not individually named. Hibiscus and coconut are natural fragrance bases, but synthetic amplifiers may be present. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity or scalp sensitivity should conduct a patch test or review the full ingredient list on the product or brand website.
1,4-dioxane contamination in surfactants
Surfactants used in rinse-off products may be synthesized with processes that leave trace 1,4-dioxane (a probable carcinogen). Industry-wide testing shows levels typically below 10 ppm in finished shampoos, and rinsing removes most exposure; no specific testing for this product is publicly available.
Contact dermatitis or scalp irritation from plant extracts
Coconut oil and hibiscus extracts are natural allergens for some individuals, particularly those with coconut allergy or sensitive scalp conditions. Plant materials are not inherently safer than synthetic alternatives; patch testing on a small scalp area before full use is recommended for sensitive users.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Heavy metals
This shampoo contains no added colorants or pigments listed in its standard formulation. Plant extracts (hibiscus, coconut) may contain trace minerals, but aqueous rinse-off products do not concentrate metals in a way that poses measurable risk from occasional use.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a water-based shampoo formulation combining surfactants (cleansing agents), plant extracts (coconut oil, hibiscus), and humectants in liquid suspension. Unlike bar soaps or rinse-off treatments, shampoos are designed for brief skin/scalp contact before thorough rinsing, which significantly reduces exposure windows for any residual chemicals. The coconut and hibiscus are functional ingredients (conditioning, fragrance) rather than concerns; aqueous formulations do not concentrate heavy metals or persistent chemicals the way powders or concentrated oils can.
The brand's record and disclosure
SheaMoisture has published ingredient lists and maintains transparency around product formulations on its website and packaging. The brand does not claim organic certification for this specific line, but sources plant materials from sustainable suppliers and has no documented recalls or regulatory violations for this shampoo. The company has not publicly released PFAS testing data (silent stance), which is typical for the personal care industry; most mainstream shampoos remain untested for PFAS, so absence of disclosure is not unusual and reflects broader industry practice rather than a red flag.
How it compares in its category
This shampoo falls into the mainstream sulfate-free, plant-extract category, similar to many mid-market brands. It avoids some older formulation concerns (like certain legacy preservatives), though it is not certified organic, cruelty-free audited, or exceptionally minimal in ingredient count compared to boutique alternatives. For the price point and availability, it occupies a middle ground: safer than many 2000s-era formulations, but not as stripped-down as ultra-minimal brands.
If you buy it
Use as directed: wet hair, apply, lather, rinse thoroughly with water within 1-2 minutes to minimize any contact time. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight; shampoo bottles are not designed to withstand temperatures above 40-45°C, and heat can degrade preservatives. No special maintenance required beyond keeping the cap sealed. Replace when empty or if you notice separation, odor change, or visible discoloration, which would signal preservative breakdown.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- SheaMoisture 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.