Dial · Body Wash
Dial Body Wash
Lower concern, liquid body wash typically avoids PFAS-prone coatings, though Dial makes no public commitment.
Dial Body Wash is a liquid cleanser with no documented PFAS use or known Teflon-family coating coatings typical of the category. The brand does not publicly disclose or claim PFAS-free status. No third-party testing or certifications for PFAS are available.
Shop Dial on Amazon →Material
aqueous surfactant solution (liquid body wash)
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 Body Wash is an aqueous liquid formulation based on synthetic surfactants (detergents) that lift oils and dirt from skin. The product contains water, anionic and amphoteric surfactants, preservatives, fragrance, and colorants dissolved or suspended in solution. Unlike solid soaps or bar formulations, liquid body washes do not require ceramic glazes, metal cookware, or fabric coatings that introduce lead, cadmium, or Teflon-type coating risks. The aqueous matrix is chemically stable at room and shower temperatures, minimizing leaching of active ingredients into skin.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dial (Henkel subsidiary) does not publish detailed safety disclosures or third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Cradle to Cradle) for this product, nor has it made public commitments to PFAS avoidance. The brand has no major recalls or established safety controversies on record for Dial Body Wash specifically. Dial markets the product on antimicrobial efficacy rather than clean-ingredient or toxicity-reduction credentials, which reflects a traditional personal-care positioning rather than transparency-first culture.
How it compares in its category
Dial Body Wash occupies the mainstream mass-market segment alongside Dove, Ivory, and store-brand liquids. It lacks third-party safety or environmental certifications that differentiate premium or 'clean' alternatives (e.g., Seventh Generation, Mrs. Meyer's). In the same price and distribution tier, Dial is chemically unremarkable: no reported heavy metals, no known formaldehyde donors, and surfactant chemistry consistent with industry standards. If allergen sensitivity or ingredient transparency is a priority, certified alternatives offer more detailed disclosures.
If you buy it
Store Dial Body Wash at room temperature away from direct sunlight to preserve preservative efficacy and prevent separation. Use as directed on the label; no special dilution, heating, or prolonged contact with skin (beyond normal shower duration) is required. Dial Body Wash does not require maintenance or replacement beyond normal consumption; discard if discoloration, separation, or odor changes occur, which may indicate microbial contamination or preservative failure. If you have sensitive skin or fragrance allergies, patch-test on a small area first or consult ingredient lists for known irritants.
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 (surfactant contaminant)
Ethoxylated surfactants used in liquid body washes can contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of manufacturing. Dial does not disclose testing or removal steps; presence is not confirmed but plausible in mainstream formulations without dedicated purification. Exposure via body wash is transdermal and typically low-concentration.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Dial Body Wash contains fragrance compounds listed generically as 'fragrance' or 'parfum'; common allergens (e.g., limonene, linalool) are not itemized on labels. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity or atopic dermatitis may experience contact dermatitis or irritation. Dial offers unscented or hypoallergenic variants for these consumers.
Preservative safety (methylisothiazolinone or parabens)
Dial Body Wash formulations may include methylisothiazolinone (MI) or paraben preservatives to prevent microbial growth. MI has been linked to contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; parabens are controversial but not conclusively harmful at cosmetic concentrations. Dial does not publicly disclose which preservative is used in each variant.
Microplastics in rinse-off formulation
No published data indicates Dial Body Wash contains microplastic beads or synthetic microfibers. Rinse-off body washes are lower-risk for microplastic persistence than leave-on products, though some mass-market brands have included them historically; check ingredient lists for polyethylene or polypropylene if this is a concern.
Heavy metals (lead, cadmium) in colorants or impurities
Liquid body washes do not use ceramic glazes or metal-based pigments that introduce lead or cadmium risk. FD&C-approved colorants in cosmetics are subject to FDA limits; no specific recalls or contamination data exist for Dial Body Wash. Risk is low given the product format and regulatory oversight.
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.