Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisture Retention Shampoo
Lower concern for this liquid shampoo with no known triggers present.
This water-based liquid cosmetic shows no confirmed PFAS risk signals, with no nonstick coatings, water-repellent treatments, or Teflon-family coating additives typical in this category. The brand doesn't publicly disclose PFAS avoidance.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water-based shampoo formulation (surfactants, emollients, water)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Shampoo is made of, ingredients and materials
This is a water-based shampoo containing surfactants (cleansing agents), shea butter and other plant emollients, and preservatives. The formulation is typical of commercial moisturizing shampoos, water is the main ingredient, surfactants remove oil and dirt, and butters provide conditioning. No volatile compounds or heat-reactive coatings are involved, so thermal degradation risks are minimal compared to cookware or heated plastics.
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.
Preservative allergens and sensitizers
Liquid shampoos require preservatives to prevent microbial growth. Common preservatives in this category (methylisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol, parabens) can trigger contact dermatitis or scalp irritation in sensitive individuals. SheaMoisture does not publicly detail which preservative system is used in this formulation.
Fragrance allergens
This product contains fragrance (listed on label), which is a complex mixture of undisclosed components. Fragrance is a leading cause of cosmetic contact allergies and can irritate the scalp, especially in people with eczema or psoriasis. Individual sensitivity varies widely; patch testing is advisable for sensitive users.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant)
1,4-dioxane is a manufacturing byproduct in some surfactant systems used in shampoos. No recalls or testing reports specifically link SheaMoisture's formulation to detectable 1,4-dioxane levels, and it is not listed as an intentional ingredient. Risk is theoretically possible but not established for this brand.
Heavy metals
Shampoos may contain synthetic colorants that historically have carried trace lead or cadmium. SheaMoisture does not publicly disclose heavy metal testing. No regulatory violations or independent testing reports flag this product for metal contamination.
Source, FDA ↗Microplastic particles
Liquid shampoos are unlikely to contain microbeads (which were phased out in most markets by 2015), and no evidence suggests this product uses plastic particles as exfoliants or texture agents.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
SheaMoisture has built a reputation on natural and ethically sourced ingredients, particularly shea butter from West Africa. The brand does not publicly disclose detailed PFAS testing or comprehensive ingredient safety certifications (e.g., EWG verification or NSF). No major recalls or established safety controversies are on record for this specific product line, though like most commercial cosmetics, full formula transparency is not provided.
How it compares in its category
This shampoo sits in the mainstream natural-leaning segment, positioning itself above budget drugstore brands but below clinical or dermatologist-prescribed products. Compared to sulfate-free and plant-oil-based competitors, the safety profile is broadly similar; the main differentiator is SheaMoisture's supply chain narrative rather than hazard reduction. For a mass-market liquid shampoo, chemical hazard risks are generally lower than solid bars or heavily fragranced products.
If you buy it
Use as directed on the bottle; liquid shampoos require no special storage beyond keeping the cap sealed to prevent bacterial growth and contamination. Store away from direct sunlight and extreme heat to preserve formula stability. No special replacement triggers apply; replace when empty or if you notice separation, odor changes, or irritation on first use. Discontinue if scalp or skin irritation develops and patch-test on a small area first if you have sensitive skin.
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.