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Most parents looking to swap their kid's conditioner for a non-toxic alternative are starting from a specific bottle already in the shower: Johnson's Kids Strengthening Conditioner. That bottle rates a 04 on EWG's Skin Deep® database, the independent nonprofit's ingredient-hazard scoring tool, with high flags for allergies and immunotoxicity and for use restrictions. This guide names exactly what EWG's own data says about it, then covers three Skin Deep®-rated alternatives already confirmed in stock, with the real number for each rather than a rounded-up claim.
For the full category comparison, see our guide to EWG-rated kids conditioners. If Johnson's shampoo and wash are also in your routine, our breakdown of Johnson's EWG ratings covers those products specifically.
What EWG Flags About Johnson's Kids Strengthening Conditioner
EWG's Skin Deep database scores personal care products on a 1-to-10 ingredient hazard scale: 1-2 is Low Hazard, 3-6 is Moderate Hazard, and 7-10 is High Hazard. Johnson's Kids Strengthening Conditioner rates a 04, in the moderate band:
| Sub-score category | EWG flag |
|---|---|
| Cancer concern | Low |
| Developmental & reproductive toxicity | Low |
| Allergies & immunotoxicity | High |
| Use restrictions | High |
The high allergies and immunotoxicity flag, paired with a high use-restrictions flag, is what pulls the overall score into the moderate band even though the cancer and developmental sub-scores are both low. This is EWG's published ingredient-hazard assessment, not a safety determination by NonToxicFinder. For the exact rating on a specific bottle or formula variant your household uses, search the full product name at ewg.org/skindeep; see Johnson's own EWG Skin Deep® listing for the current record.
EWG Skin Deep® vs. EWG VERIFIED®: Why This Swap Uses a Score, Not the Mark
Two of EWG's tools get confused often enough that it's worth stating plainly before the picks below. EWG Skin Deep® is a database that scores an individual product's ingredient list on the 1-to-10 hazard scale above; a brand does not apply for a Skin Deep score, and EWG assigns one to any product it has reviewed. EWG VERIFIED® is a separate, opt-in certification: a brand applies, discloses its complete ingredient list, avoids EWG's restricted chemical list, and passes EWG's ongoing review before a product can carry the mark. As of this writing, no kids conditioner we could confirm in stock carries the EWG VERIFIED® mark. That is why every pick below, and the Johnson's conditioner being compared against it, is cited by its Skin Deep® score alone. A Skin Deep® score, high or low, is not a safety certification and not a health claim, by EWG or by NonToxicFinder.
3 EWG Skin Deep®-Rated Picks for a Non-Toxic Conditioner Swap
None of the three picks below score in Skin Deep's Low Hazard range (1-2). We looked specifically for a confirmed-in-stock, Low Hazard kids conditioner and did not find one. Puracy's score of 03 is one point lower than Johnson's 04. Cantu and TBH both score 04, the same band as Johnson's. We're stating that directly rather than rounding any of these up to "Low Hazard," which would misrepresent EWG's own scale.
| Product | EWG Skin Deep® score | Data availability | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson's Kids Strengthening Conditioner (being swapped out) | 04 (Moderate) | n/a | $26.99 |
| Puracy Conditioner, Citrus & Mint (48 fl oz) | 03 (Moderate) | Limited | $29.99 ($26.99 Subscribe & Save) |
| Cantu Care for Kids Nourishing Conditioner (10 oz, pack of 6) | 04 (Moderate) | Fair | $33.84 |
| TBH Kids Conditioner, via Kids & Teen Shampoo + Conditioner Set | 04 (Moderate) | Fair | $43.95 (2-pack set) |
1. Puracy Conditioner, Citrus & Mint (Lead Pick)
Price: $29.99, or $26.99 with Subscribe & Save | EWG Status: EWG Skin Deep® score 03 (Moderate)
Puracy's Citrus & Mint conditioner rates a 03 on EWG's Skin Deep® database, the lowest of the three picks here and one point under Johnson's 04. EWG's data-availability flag for this listing is Limited, and the formula still carries high flags for allergies/immunotoxicity and use restrictions, the same two sub-categories flagged on Johnson's. Puracy's own brand copy describes its formulas as "child-safe," and the independent ingredient-tracking site SkinSafe lists this specific Citrus & Mint SKU under its baby-safe category, which is why it's included here as a kids-appropriate pick rather than an adult-only formula with a favorable score. Sold in a 48 fl oz bottle, confirmed in stock.
Puracy Conditioner, Citrus & Mint on Amazon →
2. Cantu Care for Kids Nourishing Conditioner
Price: $33.84 for a 6-pack of 10 oz bottles | EWG Status: EWG Skin Deep® score 04 (Moderate)
Cantu's kids conditioner rates a 04 on Skin Deep, the same band as Johnson's, with a Fair data-availability flag and high allergies/immunotoxicity and use-restriction sub-scores. EWG's own listing for this product is dated as a 2019 formulation; we could not locate a newer, non-dated Skin Deep entry after two separate searches, so treat this score as reflecting that 2019 record rather than a guarantee about the exact bottle on shelves today. Stock was scarce at verification, with Amazon showing a limited quantity remaining, so if this is your pick, order before the current batch sells out rather than waiting.
Cantu Care for Kids Nourishing Conditioner on Amazon →
3. TBH Kids Conditioner, via the Kids & Teen Shampoo + Conditioner Set
Price: $43.95 for a 2-pack (32 oz shampoo + 32 oz conditioner) | EWG Status: EWG Skin Deep® score 04 (Moderate)
TBH's standalone kids conditioner also rates a 04 on Skin Deep, with Fair data availability and the same high allergies/immunotoxicity flag as the other two picks. We're flagging this one plainly: the standalone conditioner bottle is out of stock on every Amazon listing we checked, so the only in-stock way to buy this formula right now is TBH's Kids & Teen Shampoo and Conditioner Set, a 2-pack bundling a 32 oz shampoo with a 32 oz conditioner for $43.95. That changes the "buy this one thing" math versus the other two picks; if you only want a conditioner and don't need a shampoo refill, Puracy or Cantu is the more direct swap. If your household is due for both anyway, the set works out to roughly $0.69 per fluid ounce across both bottles.
TBH Kids & Teen Shampoo + Conditioner Set on Amazon →
How to Make the Switch
Cost comparison
Johnson's Kids Strengthening Conditioner runs $26.99 for 13.6 fl oz, about $1.98 per ounce. Priced per ounce, the picks above land in a mixed range:
- Puracy Citrus & Mint (48 fl oz at $26.99 with Subscribe & Save): approximately $0.56/fl oz, the cheapest per-ounce option here
- Cantu Care for Kids (6 x 10 oz at $33.84): approximately $0.56/oz, close to Puracy on a per-ounce basis
- TBH Kids & Teen Set (32 oz conditioner plus a 32 oz shampoo at $43.95 combined): approximately $0.69/fl oz across both bottles, though this includes a shampoo you may not need yet
All three alternatives cost less per ounce than Johnson's once sized out, even though two of them share Johnson's Skin Deep® band rather than beating it.
Practical tips for switching
- Finish the current bottle first. There's no reason to discard a partly used bottle of Johnson's before opening a replacement.
- Start with Puracy if a lower Skin Deep® score is your main goal. It's the only pick here that actually scores below Johnson's 04.
- Check the formulation date before buying based on an old review. Cantu's current listing reflects a 2019-dated Skin Deep entry; search the exact product name at ewg.org/skindeep for the most current record before you buy.
- Decide on the bundle question up front. TBH's conditioner only ships as part of a shampoo-and-conditioner set right now. If you don't need the shampoo, that's a real cost difference versus buying a standalone bottle.
Pair the switch with a matching kids shampoo in our EWG-rated kids shampoo guide, or see the matching conventional kids shampoo swap if you're working through the whole bathroom routine. For more EWG-based kids personal-care swaps, see our kids toothpaste swap guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does EWG rate every kids conditioner?
No. EWG's Skin Deep® database only covers products that have been submitted to or indexed in it. A conditioner that doesn't appear on Skin Deep hasn't been rated either way; its absence isn't an endorsement and isn't a red flag by itself.
What's the difference between an EWG Skin Deep® score and EWG VERIFIED®?
A Skin Deep® score rates an individual product's ingredients on EWG's 1-to-10 hazard scale. EWG VERIFIED® is a separate program a brand applies to join, requiring full ingredient disclosure and avoidance of EWG's restricted chemicals. No in-stock kids conditioner we could confirm currently carries the VERIFIED® mark, which is why every product in this article, Johnson's included, is cited by Skin Deep® score only.
Do any of these alternatives rate "Low Hazard" on EWG Skin Deep®?
No, and we're not going to claim otherwise. EWG's Low Hazard band is scores 1-2. Puracy scores 03 and Cantu and TBH both score 04, all in the Moderate band, same as Johnson's for two of the three. A Moderate score isn't a safety claim in either direction; it's EWG's own hazard-band label for where the ingredient review landed.
Why is one of these picks sold as a shampoo-and-conditioner set instead of just a conditioner?
TBH's standalone kids conditioner bottle was out of stock on every Amazon listing we checked as of this writing. The formula itself still carries a confirmed Skin Deep® score, but the only way to buy it right now is bundled with a matching shampoo. If a standalone bottle isn't essential, the set is a workable option; if it is, Puracy or Cantu is the more direct swap.
What does Johnson's flagged score mean for my child specifically?
EWG's data reflects an ingredient-hazard review of the formula, not a clinical finding about any individual child. Whether a specific score should change what your family uses is a decision for you, and a pediatrician or dermatologist if your child has sensitive skin or allergies, not something this article determines.
How often should I switch out a detangling conditioner?
There's no fixed schedule. Most families switch when a bottle runs out or when a reaction or preference change prompts it. None of the products here need to be swapped mid-bottle for any EWG-related reason.
The Bottom Line
Johnson's Kids Strengthening Conditioner rates a 04 on EWG's Skin Deep® database, driven by high allergies/immunotoxicity and use-restriction flags. Of the three alternatives confirmed in stock, Puracy's Citrus & Mint Conditioner is the only one that scores lower, at 03, for $26.99 with Subscribe & Save. Cantu Care for Kids matches Johnson's 04 score at a lower per-ounce price, with a 2019-formulation caveat and limited current stock. TBH's conditioner also matches the 04 score but only ships bundled with a shampoo right now. For the full category comparison, see our EWG-rated kids conditioner guide. For adult conditioner picks, see our EWG VERIFIED® conditioner guide. We earn a commission on purchases through our links; EWG's published data, not commissions, determines what appears here. NonToxicFinder is not affiliated with EWG.
Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. NonToxicFinder (Solved Labs LLC) may earn commissions on qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or partnered with the Environmental Working Group.
