Dial · Hand Soap
Dial Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap
Lower concern; standard liquid hand soap with no known PFAS indicators, but no third-party verification.
Dial Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap is a simple aqueous formulation without nonstick coatings, waterproofing, or stain resistance treatments, the primary vectors for PFAS in consumer products. The brand makes no PFAS claim and no third-party certifications are held.
Shop Dial on Amazon →Material
aqueous liquid soap base (surfactants, glycerin, water)
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
Dial Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap is a water-based formulation built on anionic and noniionic surfactants (cleaning agents), glycerin (humectant), and antimicrobial actives, typically triclosan or triclocarban in older formulations or benzalkonium chloride in reformulated versions. The aqueous base means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released during use, and the surfactants are readily biodegradable. Glycerin presence reduces skin drying compared to harsher soaps, though this is a minor benefit in routine handwashing.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dial (Henkel subsidiary) does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing or third-party safety certifications on this product line. The brand reformulated away from triclosan in 2016 following FDA antimicrobial ingredient restrictions, moving to alternative actives. No significant recalls or disclosed contamination events are on record for Dial liquid hand soap. Transparency on heavy metal testing or fragrance allergen disclosure is limited compared to premium or natural brands.
How it compares in its category
Dial Antibacterial sits in the mid-tier mass-market segment. It is chemically simpler and lower-cost than premium soaps but less transparent than certified natural or dermatologist-branded alternatives (e.g., Cetaphil, CeraVe). The antimicrobial claim adds processing cost but provides no documented health advantage over plain soap for routine handwashing; plain soap is equally effective for most use cases. Fragrance and colorants present in this product exceed what unscented medical-grade soaps contain.
If you buy it
Use at room temperature; no storage concerns exist for liquid soap in sealed containers. Check the ingredient list for triclosan only if purchasing older stock; current formulations have phased this out. Standard soap does not require replacement triggers beyond emptying; liquid soaps remain stable for 2-3 years unopened. For frequent handwashers or those with sensitive skin, unscented or dermatologist-approved alternatives may reduce irritation.
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
Dial Antibacterial contains fragrance (not fully itemized on label), which may trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory sensitivity in susceptible individuals. Specific fragrance components are proprietary and not disclosed.
Antimicrobial residue and skin colonization
Use of antimicrobial agents in hand soap has been associated with development of resistant microbes and potential disruption of normal skin flora with frequent, prolonged use. FDA restrictions on triclosan reflect this concern, though modern replacements (benzalkonium chloride) carry lower but unresolved long-term risk.
Colorants and synthetic dyes
Dial Antibacterial includes dyes for product appearance. No heavy metal contamination or azo dye concerns are documented for this brand, and colorants in rinse-off products pose minimal systemic exposure.
1,4-dioxane contamination
Aqueous liquid soaps can theoretically contain trace 1,4-dioxane from surfactant manufacturing processes, but no recalls or published testing data identify this in Dial products. Risk is negligible given rinse-off nature of use.
Aquatic toxicity and environmental persistence
Older Dial formulations with triclosan posed documented aquatic ecosystem risk; current formulations are improved but not independently verified. Disposal in municipal wastewater occurs routinely with no documented consumer harm.
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 Hand Soap
Ecos
Orange Hand Soap
Plant-based surfactants, water, essential oils (orange)
Lower concern, solid plant-based formula with credible third-party oversight; no PFAS-prone materials.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hand Wash, Free Clean
aqueous surfactants, botanicals, water-based formula
Lower PFAS concern; buy with confidence if skin-sensitivity is a priority.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Liquid Hand Soap Free & Clean
Water-based liquid soap formulation
Lower-concern choice; no PFAS expected in liquid soap format, but verification limited to brand claims.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More hand soap 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.