Dial · Hand Soap
Dial Liquid Hand Soap
Lower-concern choice; liquid hand soap formulation unlikely to contain PFAS, but Dial makes no public transparency claims.
Dial Liquid Hand Soap is a simple water-based cleansing product with no known PFAS-prone ingredients like Teflon-family coating coatings, water repellency treatments, or nonstick finishes. Dial has not publicly committed to PFAS-free or third-party verified claims.
Shop Dial on Amazon →Material
water-based liquid soap formulation
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 liquid hand soap is a water-based formulation containing surfactants (cleaning agents), preservatives, and fragrance compounds. The primary active ingredient is typically a synthetic surfactant rather than traditional soap, which makes it effective at removing microbes and dirt across a range of water hardness conditions. Water-based liquid formulations carry minimal risk of coating degradation, leaching, or thermal breakdown compared to heated or abrasive-use products like cookware.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dial (owned by Henkel) has no significant public safety recalls or ingredient controversies documented for its liquid hand soap line. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient transparency reports or third-party safety certifications (such as EWG Verified or Cradle to Cradle), which is typical for mass-market hand soap manufacturers. Dial's parent company has faced scrutiny on other product lines for triclosan use, but triclosan was phased out of consumer hand soaps by FDA mandate in 2016; current Dial formulations do not list it.
How it compares in its category
Dial liquid hand soap sits in the mainstream mass-market segment, neither premium nor budget. It performs comparably to competing national brands (Softsoap, Ivory, generic store brands) in terms of ingredient safety profile. Brands marketed as 'natural' or certified organic typically omit synthetic preservatives and synthetic fragrances, but offer no documented safety advantage for routine handwashing; Dial's conventional approach is standard for the category.
If you buy it
Use as directed: dispense into damp hands, lather, and rinse with water. No special precautions are needed for routine handwashing. If irritation develops (rare), rinse thoroughly and consider switching to a gentler or fragrance-free alternative. Standard liquid hand soaps are shelf-stable; replace when empty or after expiration date printed on bottle. Store away from extreme heat and direct sunlight to maintain formula integrity, though degradation risk is very low for this product type.
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
Dial liquid hand soaps contain fragrance blends (listed as 'fragrance' on ingredient label). Fragrance compounds may trigger contact dermatitis or sensitization in individuals with fragrance sensitivity; the specific allergen profile is not disclosed by brand. Fragrance-free variants exist if needed.
Preservative sensitization (parabens or alternatives)
Most Dial formulations use conventional preservatives (such as methylchloroisothiazolinone or parabens, depending on variant). These are approved by EPA and FDA at permitted concentrations but can cause contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Risk is low for typical handwashing duration and rinsing.
Eye and mucous membrane irritation
Like all liquid hand soaps, Dial formulations are formulated to avoid eye contact. Accidental contact may cause temporary irritation due to surfactant concentration. This is a handling risk, not a chemical toxicity risk.
1,4-dioxane (potential residual)
1,4-dioxane can be a manufacturing byproduct in ethoxylated surfactant-based formulas. No public data documents dioxane presence in Dial liquid hand soap; major manufacturers have implemented removal processes. Risk is minimal for rinse-off products like hand soap.
Heavy metals in colorants or preservatives
Dial liquid hand soap uses FD&C approved colorants and preservatives with established purity standards. No recalls or testing data suggest heavy metal contamination. Risk for this product category is very low.
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 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.