VERB Curl Shampoo
Lower concern; typical shampoo with no known PFAS drivers, but brand silence on sourcing limits certainty.
This standard liquid shampoo contains no documented PFAS-prone ingredients or treatments. The brand makes no PFAS claims; third-party verification is absent.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous surfactants, conditioning agents, water (typical shampoo base)
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.
1,4-dioxane (surfactant byproduct)
Ethoxylated surfactants in shampoos may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing residue. No recall or test results are on record for VERB Curl Shampoo specifically. FDA limits in cosmetics are not formally set, but exposure from a rinse-off product is brief and dermal absorption is low; risk is minimal in normal use.
Fragrance allergens (unlisted in ingredient disclosure)
Like most commercial shampoos, VERB Curl Shampoo likely contains fragrance compounds that are listed as a single ingredient and do not itemize individual allergens (e.g., limonene, linalool). Individuals with sensitive scalp or fragrance sensitivity should patch-test or request full fragrance disclosure from the brand.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
VERB Curl Shampoo formulation details are not publicly available, but modern shampoos typically use alternative preservatives (phenoxyethanol, methylchloroisothiazolinone) rather than formaldehyde-releasing agents. No warnings or complaints are documented for this product.
Source: ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
The product is not marketed as a color-depositing or mineral-rich treatment; standard shampoos do not require pigments or heavy metals. No test results or recalls have flagged metal contamination in VERB products.
Source: FDA ↗Microplastic beads or microfibers
VERB Curl Shampoo is a liquid cleanser with no known exfoliating beads or microplastic additives. Microplastics are primarily a concern in physical scrubs and some specialty treatments, not mainstream shampoos.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
VERB Curl Shampoo is a water-based surfactant formula designed to cleanse curly hair without stripping natural oils. The base is aqueous (mostly water) with anionic and amphoteric surfactants, humectants, and conditioning agents, standard modern shampoo chemistry. Surfactants are mild cleansers with decades of safety history in rinse-off applications; they wash away after use and do not accumulate on skin or in the body. The conditioning agents (likely silicones or natural extracts based on Verb's marketing) remain on hair as a leave-behind film but do not pose dermal toxicity at typical use levels.
The brand's record and disclosure
Verb is a contemporary hair-care brand that does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing, manufacturing standards, or third-party testing for contaminants. The brand makes no claims around certifications (e.g., no hypoallergenic, dermatologist-tested, or clean beauty logos on record). No major recalls or safety controversies are documented for VERB Curl Shampoo or the Verb brand overall. Lack of transparency does not indicate a hazard but limits verification of rigorous quality controls.
How it compares in its category
This is a mainstream, mass-market shampoo comparable to brands like SheaMoisture, Carol's Daughter, and Cantu in formulation philosophy and price tier. Like most rinse-off hair products, it carries lower inherent risk than leave-on creams or rinse-resistant treatments because exposure duration and dosage are minimal. Products marketed for curly hair often include humectants (glycerin, honey) and silicones or proteins to combat frizz; VERB's positioning suggests a similar approach, which is typical and safe when used as directed.
If you buy it
Use as directed: wet hair, apply small amount, massage, rinse thoroughly. Do not ingest. Discontinue if scalp irritation or allergic reaction occurs (rare but possible with any surfactant). Store in a cool, dry place; shampoo does not require special refrigeration and has a shelf life of 2-3 years unopened. Replace after 6-12 months of regular use or if consistency changes or odor becomes off (signs of bacterial growth in an opened bottle).
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
- Verb has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Shampoo
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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.