Dove · Body Wash
Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash
Lower PFAS concern, typical body wash with no known triggers, but Dove makes no public PFAS commitment.
Dove Deep Moisture is a water-based liquid body wash with no nonstick, water-repellent, or stain-resistance coating, the main PFAS risk categories. Standard cosmetic surfactants and emollients carry no routine PFAS association.
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aqueous liquid cleansing base (water, surfactants, humectants)
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
Dove Deep Moisture is an aqueous liquid cleanser built on mild anionic and amphoteric surfactants, humectants (glycerin, dimethicone), and emollients designed to minimize skin barrier disruption. The formulation contains no soap; instead it relies on synthetic detergents chosen for gentleness. No heating or cookware contact occurs during use, eliminating thermal degradation hazards typical of topical products applied at room temperature.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dove (Unilever subsidiary) has published ingredient lists transparently and maintains no known safety recalls on this product line. The brand does not market PFAS-free status or make public PFAS reduction commitments, reflecting industry-wide silence in body wash rather than a red flag specific to Dove. Third-party certifications (Dermatologist Recommended, hypoallergenic claim) are marketing-level assurances, not regulatory safety seals.
How it compares in its category
Body washes occupy a middle safety tier: lower risk than cosmetics with pigments or fragrances, comparable to generic bar soaps. Dove's formulation avoids reported irritants like high-sulfate alternatives and sulfite preservatives. Most competitors in the 'gentle' segment use identical surfactant chemistry, making this a category-standard product rather than an outlier in either direction.
If you buy it
Use as directed on skin; no special storage precautions beyond keeping the bottle sealed and cool. Discontinue if rash or irritation develops. Replace when empty; no reuse or refill safety concerns. Avoid contact with eyes; rinse thoroughly if exposure occurs. No data supports benefits of intentional skin barrier changes from extended use.
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
Product contains fragrance; individual sensitivity varies. Dove markets this as hypoallergenic, but fragrance is still listed. No specific allergen incidents are on record for this formula, but fragrance-free alternatives exist for sensitive skin.
1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant)
1,4-dioxane can form as a byproduct in ethoxylated surfactants. No published tests or recalls document 1,4-dioxane in Dove body wash. Unilever has stated commitment to minimizing this contaminant across products, though no public data is available for this specific SKU.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservative class)
Dove Deep Moisture does not list formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea) in publicly available ingredient declarations. Standard Dove preservative systems do not rely on this class.
Heavy metals in colorants or opacifiers
This product is a clear or translucent gel with minimal or no added pigments. No iron oxides, titanium dioxide, or lake pigments requiring heavy metal monitoring are documented in the formula.
Skin irritation from surfactant load or pH imbalance
Body washes are inherently designed to strip some skin oils. Dove's formulation is marketed as milder than conventional soaps, but individual sensitivity to even gentle surfactants occurs. The product is pH-balanced according to marketing claims, reducing irritation risk relative to high-pH bar soaps.
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.