Caress · Body Wash
Caress Nourishing Body Wash
Lower concern; typical liquid body wash with no known PFAS triggers, but brand makes no public PFAS commitment.
Caress Nourishing Body Wash is a rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no surfactant classes or additives known to require PFAS. The brand does not publicly disclose or claim PFAS avoidance, which is typical for personal-care manufacturers. No lab testing of this product for PFAS is publicly available.
Shop Caress on Amazon →Material
aqueous liquid formulation (surfactants, water, glycerin)
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 Nourishing Body Wash is an aqueous surfactant-based cleanser containing water, anionic detergents, glycerin (a humectant), and fragrance compounds. Liquid body washes are inherently lower-risk than solid bars because they do not require heat-resistant coatings or concentrated chemical binders; the aqueous formulation dilutes most active ingredients to functional concentrations. Glycerin addition reduces skin irritation risk compared to harsher detergent-only formulas. No enamel, ceramic, plastic storage concern arises during normal use (product remains in pump bottle until application).
The brand's record and disclosure
Caress (owned by Unilever) does not publish detailed PFAS-avoidance commitments or third-party safety certifications for this specific product line. The brand has not faced major product safety recalls in recent years, and standard formulations of its body wash do not contain known trigger ingredients for PFAS contamination (e.g., aqueous surfactants do not require water-repellent coatings). Transparency on fragrance allergens and preservative choices remains limited; ingredient lists are available but fragrance components are typically listed as trade secrets.
How it compares in its category
Caress Nourishing Body Wash sits in the mid-range of mainstream body washes: gentler than highly concentrated specialty products but less transparent than certified organic or hypoallergenic alternatives (e.g., brands with EWG VERIFIED or similar badges). Most mass-market body washes share identical hazard profiles (surfactant, fragrance, preservative risks); Caress does not stand out as unusually safe or concerning. For consumers seeking maximum chemical transparency, dermatologist-endorsed or minimalist formulas offer more detailed disclosure.
If you buy it
Use as directed (small amount on wet skin, rinse thoroughly); no special storage or heating precautions needed for an aqueous liquid. Discontinue use if skin irritation or allergic reaction occurs (more likely from fragrance or surfactant sensitivity than toxins). Liquid body wash typically lasts 3-6 months depending on frequency; no degradation risk over shelf life. If you have sensitive skin or fragrance allergies, patch-test on a small area first or request full fragrance ingredient list from Caress/Unilever customer service.
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 undisclosed fragrance components
Caress lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without breaking down component allergens (common industry practice). Individuals with fragrance sensitivities may experience contact dermatitis; no public data on specific fragrance mix hazard in this formula.
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing residual)
1,4-dioxane can be a trace contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants used in body washes. No recall or test data specific to Caress Nourishing is on record; this is a general category risk in cosmetics, typically at parts-per-million levels deemed low-concern by FDA.
Skin sensitization from anionic surfactants
High concentrations of anionic detergents can strip skin barrier and cause irritation or contact dermatitis, especially with prolonged or frequent use or on compromised skin. This is a use-dependent risk common to most body washes, not unique to Caress.
Preservative contamination or degradation
No specific recalls or quality control issues documented for Caress Nourishing preservative systems. Standard formulations use benzoates or phenoxyethanol at safe concentrations; risk of bacterial growth is negligible in factory-sealed pump bottles before opening.
Heavy metals in colorants or additives
Liquid body washes do not typically contain pigments or mica that concentrate heavy metals. No public testing or recalls suggest contamination in Caress formulations; risk profile is significantly lower than in powdered cosmetics.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 75% 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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⚠Risky category by default
Dr. Bronner's
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⚠Risky category by default
Dr. Bronner's
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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.