Caress · Body Wash
Caress Body Wash Tahitian Pomegranate & Coconut Milk
Lower PFAS concern for a rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no intentional water-resistant or grease-resistant treatment.
Caress body wash is a rinse-off liquid formulation with no known PFAS-prone features (no water-repellent coating, nonstick, or durable water repellency claim). The brand makes no PFAS disclosure either way.
Shop Caress on Amazon →Material
aqueous liquid cleanser with plant-derived surfactants and botanical extracts
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
Caress Body Wash Tahitian Pomegranate & Coconut Milk is an aqueous surfactant-based cleanser with plant-derived cleaning agents, fragrance compounds, and botanical extracts (pomegranate, coconut milk). The formulation is designed as a rinse-off product, meaning ingredients are not intended to remain on skin or be absorbed systemically. Unlike leave-on products, the short contact time and complete water removal during rinsing significantly reduce potential exposure to any problematic additives in the formula.
The brand's record and disclosure
Caress (owned by Unilever) does not publicly disclose detailed PFAS reduction commitments or third-party certifications specific to this line. The brand has not faced major safety recalls related to this product or comparable body wash lines in recent public records. Unilever's broader sustainability statements exist but do not specifically address this product's formulation or ingredient sourcing transparency. No established controversy regarding this specific body wash formula is documented in consumer safety databases.
How it compares in its category
Body wash products in the rinse-off cosmetic category generally carry lower hazard profiles than leave-on skin products because exposure is brief and incomplete absorption occurs. Caress positions itself in the mass-market mainstream segment, not premium or certified-clean lines; it lacks third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny) that competitors may offer. The botanical marketing (pomegranate, coconut) is typical for this tier but does not change the safety profile meaningfully compared to standard surfactant-based washes.
If you buy it
Use as directed: dispense into palm or washcloth, lather on skin, and rinse thoroughly with water. Avoid eye contact; if contact occurs, rinse immediately. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain formula stability and prevent microbial growth. No special precautions (such as heat limits or replacement schedules) apply to liquid body wash; discard if the product separates, develops odor, or shows visible contamination.
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.”
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
The product contains fragrance compounds (from both the named botanical extracts and added fragrance ingredients). Individual allergens are not disclosed on the label; documented fragrance sensitization in body wash occurs in a small percentage of users with contact dermatitis history.
1,4-dioxane contamination
No specific testing or recalls for 1,4-dioxane have been reported for this product. The ingredient list does not explicitly contain 1,4-dioxane, though it can be a trace contaminant in some surfactant-based cosmetics; without independent analysis, presence cannot be confirmed or ruled out.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
The product formulation does not list formaldehyde or common formaldehyde donors (e.g., dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) on publicly available ingredient disclosures. Standard rinse-off body washes typically use alternative preservative systems.
Heavy metals in colorants or botanical extracts
No recalls or documented contamination with lead, cadmium, or arsenic have been reported for this product. Plant-derived botanical ingredients (pomegranate, coconut) are generally low-risk for heavy metal accumulation compared to mineral pigments, but no independent verification is available.
Microplastic or exfoliating particles
This is a liquid body wash without visible exfoliating beads or plastic microparticles in the standard formulation. No plastic microbeads or concerns related to degradable particles are established for this product line.
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
Cetyl
Dr Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap
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.