Closeup · Toothpaste
Close-Up Toothpaste Gel Fluoride
Lower concern, standard gel toothpaste with no known PFAS indicators, but brand offers no transparency.
Close-Up's fluoride gel toothpaste contains no known PFAS-prone ingredients like waterproofing agents or nonstick coatings typical of cosmetics risk categories. The formula is a conventional abrasive-gel blend without disclosed surface treatments. Closeup has not made public PFAS commitments, leaving confidence moderate rather than high.
Shop Closeup on Amazon →Material
Gel toothpaste base (glycerin, silica, fluoride)
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
Close-Up Gel is a water-based fluoride toothpaste using glycerin as a humectant and silica as the primary abrasive. Glycerin is a common, well-tolerated thickener in oral care. Silica abrasive is gentler than some alternatives and is accepted by dental regulators at typical concentrations (5, 15%). Fluoride (typically 1000, 1500 ppm in standard formulas) is the active ingredient for cavity prevention and is controlled by regulatory bodies in most countries.
The brand's record and disclosure
Closeup is owned by Unilever, a major consumer goods manufacturer. Unilever does not proactively disclose PFAS content in oral care products, nor does Closeup publish full ingredient transparency beyond regulatory minimums. No major safety recalls specific to Close-Up Toothpaste Gel Fluoride appear in public databases. The brand follows standard regulatory compliance but does not distinguish itself through enhanced disclosure practices.
How it compares in its category
Gel toothpastes occupy the mainstream middle of the category. Close-Up Gel is competitively priced and widely available but lacks premium certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Natural Standard). It is comparable in safety profile to other mass-market gel formulas like Colgate Total or Sensodyne. Specialty brands (Tom's of Maine, Weleda) typically offer more transparency, though not necessarily lower chemical hazard.
If you buy it
Use as directed: brush teeth twice daily with a pea-sized amount for adults and children over 6 years. Swallowing toothpaste is not recommended, especially for young children, because excessive fluoride ingestion can cause mild dental fluorosis (white spots on teeth); rinse thoroughly after brushing. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. No special handling or replacement triggers apply beyond normal toothpaste shelf life (typically 2, 3 years).
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.”
Fluoride toxicity (ingestion risk)
Fluoride is safe at recommended use levels (1000, 1500 ppm) for topical oral care. Risk exists only if large amounts are swallowed repeatedly, particularly in young children under 6 years, which can cause dental or skeletal fluorosis. Regulatory bodies set safe exposure limits; this product is formulated to comply.
Talc contamination (if present)
Close-Up Gel does not list talc as an ingredient. Silica is the declared abrasive. No public records indicate talc contamination in this formulation, though silica mining can carry trace contamination risks in raw materials; Unilever's suppliers are expected to meet industry standards.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservatives)
Close-Up Gel does not disclose formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., dmdm hydantoin) in available ingredient lists. Standard gel toothpastes typically use sodium benzoate or other non-formaldehyde releasers. No recall or complaint data suggests contamination.
Heavy metals in colorants or pigments
Gel toothpastes use synthetic colorants (e.g., CI 77891 titanium dioxide, CI 42090 FD&C Blue No. 1) that are regulated for heavy metal content in most jurisdictions. Close-Up Gel is not known to exceed regulatory limits for lead, cadmium, or arsenic. No public testing data contradicts compliance.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) foaming agent irritation
Close-Up Gel is formulated with SLS or similar anionic surfactants for lather and cleaning. SLS is regulated but can cause mouth irritation or canker sores in sensitive individuals. This is a known property of the ingredient class, not a defect specific to this brand; sensitivity is individual.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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 Toothpaste
Davids
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natural mineral-based formula (calcium carbonate, hydroxyapatite)
Lower PFAS concern; natural formula toothpaste with clean ingredient transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Davids
Natural Toothpaste Peppermint Charcoal
Charcoal, glycerin, hydrated silica, natural flavor, mineral base
Lower-concern toothpaste; charcoal formulation has no inherent PFAS risk and carries third-party safety certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Native
Fluoride Free Toothpaste
toothpaste base: glycerin, xylitol, silica; fluoride-free formula
Lower PFAS concern; fluoride-free formulation and standard toothpaste ingredients present negligible PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More toothpaste 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.