Burt's Bees · Body Wash
Burt’s Bees Energizing Body Wash Citrus & Ginger 12 Fl Oz.
Lower PFAS concern; liquid body wash formulation unlikely to require fluorinated additives.
Burt's Bees body wash is a water-based liquid cleaner with no known functional need for PFAS (no water-repellency, stain-resistance, or nonstick requirement). The brand makes no PFAS claims. Liquid body washes rarely contain intentional PFAS, though some surfactants may carry trace PFAS impurities, typical for the category.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
aqueous surfactant solution, plant-derived actives, water-based formula
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Burt's Bees Energizing Body Wash is an aqueous surfactant solution built on plant-derived cleansing agents (typically coconut or vegetable-based) combined with citrus and ginger extracts as actives. The formula is water-dominant with preservatives, emulsifiers, and fragrance components. Because it is a rinse-off liquid product applied briefly to skin, dermal absorption of individual ingredients is low, and the aqueous matrix itself does not concentrate heavy metals or volatile compounds the way leave-on products or powders can.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees maintains a long-standing marketing position around natural ingredients and has earned USDA organic certification on select product lines, though this specific body wash is not certified organic. The brand does not publish comprehensive ingredient safety data sheets or third-party toxicology testing results publicly, which is typical for the mass-market personal care sector. No major safety recalls or regulatory actions have been documented for this product line. The parent company (Clorox, acquired 2007) is a large multinational with established compliance practices.
How it compares in its category
This body wash sits in the mainstream natural-leaning segment, positioned between synthetic conventional brands (higher surfactant harshness, more synthetic fragrance) and premium indie/luxury natural lines (higher price, often more rigorous ingredient sourcing). Compared to budget conventional body washes, Burt's Bees products typically use milder surfactant blends and avoid certain synthetic preservatives like methylisothiazolinone, which have documented contact sensitization risk. The citrus and ginger extract positioning is marketing-driven; these actives add minimal functional benefit over plain cleansing but carry low toxicity risk.
If you buy it
Use as directed: dispense a small amount, lather, and rinse thoroughly. Do not allow product to sit on skin for extended periods; body wash is formulated for brief contact. Store at room temperature away from heat and direct sunlight to preserve preservative efficacy and prevent separation. If skin irritation develops, discontinue use; citrus extracts can sensitize sun-exposed skin in some individuals. The 12 fl oz bottle should last 2-3 months with typical daily use; replace if product develops odor, separation, or cloudiness, which signals preservative system failure.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
1,4-dioxane (synthetic surfactant contaminant)
Plant-derived surfactants can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during ethoxylation manufacturing. Burt's Bees does not publish third-party testing for this impurity. Risk is mitigated by rinse-off use (minimal absorption) but not eliminated.
Fragrance allergens (citrus, ginger extracts + synthetic fragrance compounds)
Citrus oils and ginger extracts are known contact sensitizers in sensitive populations. The product does not disclose specific fragrance chemical composition, which is legally permitted but limits allergen prediction for individuals with fragrance sensitivities.
Preservative efficacy and microbial growth
No documented contamination issues reported for this product. Water-based formulations require preservatives to prevent bacterial growth; Burt's Bees formulations typically use paraben-free or natural preservative blends, which are less stable than parabens if stored improperly or past expiration.
Heavy metals in plant extracts
Ginger and citrus extracts can bioaccumulate heavy metals (cadmium, lead) from soil depending on sourcing. No recalls or testing results are publicly available for this product. Rinse-off exposure minimizes dermal absorption risk significantly.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers in preservative systems
Burt's Bees has marketed away from formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (like dmdm hydantoin) in favor of paraben-free alternatives. Current formulations are not documented to contain these agents, though complete ingredient verification requires direct manufacturer inquiry.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Body Wash
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saponified vegetable oils (castile base), no protective coatings
Lower-concern choice; simple castile soap formulation carries minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Dr. Bronner's
Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
Plant-based soap (coconut, olive, palm oils); no coatings or treatments
Lower PFAS concern, uncoated liquid soap with no water- or stain-resistant treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
Dr. Bronner's
Dr Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap
Plant-based soap (coconut, olive, palm oils)
Lower PFAS concern, pure castile liquid soap has no typical vector for forever chemicals.
⚠Risky category by default
More body wash 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.