Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Shampoo
Lower concern for rinse-off cosmetic with no known PFAS-typical triggers.
This rinse-off liquid shampoo contains no nonstick coatings, waterproof treatments, or stain resistance where PFAS would typically be found. The brand makes no PFAS disclosures.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous shampoo base with natural oils and botanical extracts
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Shampoo is made of, ingredients and materials
Shea Moisture Curl & Shine Shampoo is a water-based cleansing formula containing shea butter, coconut oil, and botanical extracts as conditioning agents, plus standard surfactants and preservatives. The aqueous rinse-off format means ingredients do not accumulate on skin or remain in the body, substantially reducing systemic exposure risk compared to leave-on products. The natural oils are intended to reduce harsh surfactant load, though efficacy and stability depend on formulation balance. This product category carries lower inherent chemical hazard than colorants, fragrance concentrates, or leave-on treatments.
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 and sensitizers
Shea Moisture Curl & Shine contains fragrance blend (essential oils and/or synthetic fragrance compounds) which commonly triggers contact dermatitis or scalp sensitivity in susceptible individuals. No specific allergen disclosure (e.g., limonene, linalool content) is publicly available for this formula, making individual risk assessment difficult.
1,4-Dioxane contamination in surfactants
Rinse-off shampoos may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a by-product of surfactant manufacturing (ethoxylation), particularly in ingredients listed as 'sodium laureth sulfate' or similar ethoxylated surfactants. Exposure is brief due to rinsing, but presence is not publicly tested or disclosed by the brand.
Oxidative stability and rancidity of natural oils
Coconut and shea butter in formulas can oxidize over time, particularly if stored in warm conditions, generating off-odors and potential scalp irritants. Product shelf life and storage temperature are not prominently disclosed; users report occasional batches with off-scents, likely oxidation rather than microbial contamination.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Standard rinse-off shampoo preservatives (sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol) do not release formaldehyde at typical use concentrations. No formaldehyde-donor preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are listed on publicly available ingredient disclosures for this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Shea Moisture Curl & Shine does not contain synthetic azo dyes or heavy-metal-dependent pigments based on available ingredient lists. Plant extracts (shea, coconut) carry minimal heavy metal risk under standard sourcing; no contamination recall is on record.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
SheaMoisture markets itself as a natural and ethically sourced brand, with widely available ingredient lists and no major safety recalls on record for this shampoo line. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or mitigation strategies (silent stance), which is typical of mid-market personal care but falls short of transparency leaders. No established controversies or FDA enforcement actions specific to this product line are on public record. Third-party certifications (e.g., fair trade, cruelty-free) are marketed but do not replace safety testing.
How it compares in its category
Shea Moisture shampoos occupy a mainstream natural/wellness segment with ingredient lists generally comparable to drugstore alternatives; they avoid some synthetic dyes and silicone polymers but use preservatives and fragrance similarly to conventional brands. Versus high-end or clinical shampoos, this product is less rigorously marketed on safety claims and offers no clinical dermatology certification. Versus purely natural brands, SheaMoisture uses conventional preservative systems (sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol) rather than exotic alternatives, reflecting a practical balance between stability and 'natural' positioning. Overall safety profile is mid-range within the category, neither notably higher nor lower risk.
If you buy it
Use as directed on damp hair; rinse thoroughly with water to minimize residue contact time with scalp and skin. No special storage constraints apply beyond keeping away from excessive heat or direct sunlight, which can degrade botanical actives. If scalp irritation or allergic reaction develops, discontinue and patch-test a diluted sample on inner arm before resuming. Replace bottle every 6-12 months to prevent bacterial overgrowth in pump or nozzle; do not share applicators or containers with others.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% 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.
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.