Levero Coloring Shampoo ingredients, graded
Every ingredient.
Every grade.
The full declared list in the order printed on the pack, with our risk grade beside each one. There is no PPD on it. Toluene-2,5-diamine (PTD) does that job instead, with resorcinol and three aminophenol-family couplers, developed by hydrogen peroxide and alkalised with ethanolamine. That is what covers grey and what carries the allergen risk.
No PPD, but the same family. Toluene-2,5-diamine sulfate is the primary intermediate here. It is a close relative of PPD, sits in the same para-amino class, and cross-reacts in people who are sensitised to PPD. Resorcinol, m-aminophenol, p-aminophenol and 5-amino-o-cresol are the couplers that set the shade.
Ammonia-free means ethanolamine; vegan means no animal-derived ingredient on the list. Both check out on the declaration. Neither makes it a gentler dye — it is a permanent oxidative colour and needs the same 48-hour patch test as any other.
A grade is our screening's assessment, not a safety verdict. High means a recognised sensitiser or a regulated dye intermediate; mid means an irritation, impurity or allergen-labelling concern; low means nothing notable in the literature at cosmetic use levels.
Four jobs, and which ingredient does each.
Primary intermediate
Toluene-2,5-diamine sulfate (PTD). The small molecule that slips into the hair shaft and becomes pigment. A potent sensitiser in the PPD family — graded high.
Couplers
Resorcinol and m-aminophenol (graded high), p-aminophenol and 5-amino-o-cresol (graded mid). They react with PTD to set the final tone.
Developer
Hydrogen peroxide, from the second pump. It oxidises the intermediates into colour inside the hair. Rinsed off, but it can irritate skin, eyes and scalp — graded mid.
Alkaliser
Ethanolamine, standing in for ammonia. Swells the hair so the dye can get in. Graded mid: safe as used per CIR, with a theoretical nitrosamine concern.
In the order printed on the pack.
Taken from the ingredient declaration, translated to INCI names. Each name links to its entry in our ingredient glossary, where the grade and the reasoning behind it live. Grades shown as of 12 September 2026.
Levero Coloring Shampoo — Black
The declaration we screened. Dark Brown and Light Brown share the base and differ in the dye couplers and their ratios.
Both pumps in one list. The pack declares the colour shampoo and the developer together, in the order shown here.
What is not in it, and what that is worth.
No PPD
True on the declaration. PTD replaces it and cross-reacts with PPD, so it is not an allergy-safe formula and we do not describe it as one.
Ammonia-free
True. Ethanolamine does the alkalising. Less smell, no eye sting, same allergen profile.
Vegan
True on the declaration: nothing animal-derived. Beer yeast, centella and rosemary sit in the base.
Fragrance
Present, with four declared allergens: linalool, hexyl cinnamal, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, plus rosemary leaf oil. All graded mid.
No PPD is not no risk.
Patch test 48 hours, every time.
A small dab behind the ear or on the inner elbow, left uncovered for 48 hours. Any redness, itching or swelling means do not use it. Sensitisation to PPD and PTD can appear after years of trouble-free use, and a "PPD-free" label would not protect someone already sensitised — which is why the test is repeated before each application.
Quick answers.
Does Levero Coloring Shampoo contain PPD? +–
No. p-Phenylenediamine is not on the declaration. Toluene-2,5-diamine sulfate (PTD) is the primary dye instead — a close relative that cross-reacts in people sensitised to PPD. Resorcinol and m-aminophenol are also present.
Is it safe if I am allergic to PPD? +–
Treat it as not safe. PTD is in the same para-amino family and cross-reactivity between the two is well documented. Patch test 48 hours before every use, and if you have reacted to hair dye before, talk to a dermatologist first.
Is Levero ammonia-free and vegan? +–
Both check out on the declaration. Ethanolamine does the alkalising in place of ammonia, and nothing on the list is animal-derived. Neither claim changes the fact that it is a permanent oxidative dye.
What about the anti-hair-loss claim? +–
We could not substantiate it. None of the ingredients Korea recognises for relief of hair-loss symptoms — biotin, panthenol, salicylic acid or menthol — appear on this declaration, so we left it out of our score.
How does the list compare with GDS? +–
Same job, different primary dye: PPD in GDS Black, PTD here. Levero carries more fragrance allergens and a few more mid-risk emulsifiers; GDS Black carries sulfates. The side-by-side is on our comparison page.
What does "high" mean in your grade? +–
A recognised skin sensitiser or a regulated dye intermediate with published allergy data. In this product that is PTD, resorcinol and m-aminophenol. It is our screening's assessment, not a safety determination for any individual.
Every ingredient graded.
Nothing behind a badge.
Ships from Korea within one to three business days, tracked. Patch test 48 hours before every use.