Verb Purple Shampoo
Lower concern choice; shampoo formulations rarely use PFAS, but brand offers no transparency.
This rinse-off cosmetic has no water-repellency, nonstick, or grease-resistance features typical of PFAS use. Verb makes no public PFAS statement; no third-party verification exists.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous shampoo base (water, surfactants, conditioning agents)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Verb Purple Shampoo is made of, ingredients and materials
Verb Purple Shampoo is a water-based surfactant formulation designed to neutralize brassy tones in blonde and silver hair using violet pigments. The base contains water, anionic and amphoteric surfactants (detergents), conditioning agents, and the purple colorant, typical for this product class. Unlike rinse-off products left on skin, shampoos are rinsed thoroughly, which significantly reduces systemic exposure to any chemical additives in the formula.
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.
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants)
Purple shampoos often contain ethoxylated surfactants or conditioning agents that may be contaminated with trace 1,4-dioxane (a likely carcinogen) during manufacturing. FDA does not require declaration on labels; residual levels are typically low due to rinse-off use, but the compound can accumulate in the environment.
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed ingredients)
Verb Purple Shampoo lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without specifying components. This is legal under current US labeling rules but obscures potential sensitizers like limonene, citral, or other volatile compounds that may trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Shampoo formulations require preservatives to prevent bacterial growth. Some preservative systems (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea) slowly release formaldehyde; Verb does not disclose which preservatives are used, making specific assessment impossible. Exposure during rinsing is minimal.
Source, ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Violet dyes (synthetic colorants)
No published safety concerns exist for the violet pigments typically used in purple shampoos (CI 60725 or similar approved colorants). These are regulated by the FDA for cosmetic use and are considered low-risk in rinse-off applications.
Lead
Synthetic violet colorants approved for cosmetics are subject to heavy-metal purity limits. No recalls or regulatory findings of contamination in Verb products have been documented; industry testing shows approved colorants rarely exceed established regulatory limits.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Verb does not publish detailed ingredient safety data or third-party certifications (e.g., EWG verification, Leaping Bunny, or other standards). The brand has no publicly documented safety recalls or regulatory warnings on record for this product. The company's silence on PFAS and other emerging concerns reflects a broader industry pattern in prestige haircare; lack of transparency does not indicate a hazard, but limits independent verification of formulation choices.
How it compares in its category
Purple shampoos are among the lowest-risk haircare products because they are rinse-off and contain minimal novel chemistry. Most competitors (Fanola, Shimmer Lights, Wella) use similar water-surfactant bases with violet dyes. Verb's positioning emphasizes simplicity and clean labeling, which aligns with category norms; there is no evidence this product has higher or lower concern than mid-to-premium equivalents.
If you buy it
Use as directed, apply to damp hair, lather, rinse thoroughly with water. Leave-on time should not exceed manufacturer guidance (typically 1-3 minutes); longer contact may over-deposit pigment or dry hair. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent separation or degradation of the violet dye. Do not ingest; rinse eyes immediately if contact occurs. Replace every 6-12 months depending on frequency of use.
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
- Verb 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.