Ecos · Hand Soap
ECOS Free & Clear Hypoallergenic Hand Soap
Lower-concern buy, liquid hand soap formulation has minimal PFAS exposure risk.
ECOS hand soap is a rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no known waterproofing, water-repellent, or non-stick treatment steps typical of PFAS-containing products.
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aqueous surfactant blend, soap base
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
ECOS Free & Clear is a plant-derived surfactant blend formulated to minimize skin irritants; the "Free & Clear" line excludes common allergens like fragrance, dyes, and harsh preservatives. Aqueous soap bases of this type carry negligible leaching risk compared to solid soaps or coated cookware because the product remains in solution and rinses away completely. The absence of added fragrance and synthetic colorants eliminates two major sources of contact dermatitis in personal-care products.
The brand's record and disclosure
ECOS (produced by Earth Friendly Products) holds EWG Verification for this product, indicating third-party vetting of ingredient safety and transparency. The brand discloses full ingredient lists publicly and maintains certifications for hypoallergenic claims. No recalls or major safety controversies specific to this line are on record in FDA or CPSC databases. The company does not publicly address PFAS presence or absence, which is typical for brands in the hand-soap category where PFAS contamination is rare.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial hand soaps contain synthetic fragrances, preservative systems, and occasional antimicrobials that can trigger sensitization; ECOS Free & Clear eliminates these. It sits between plain bar soap (lowest hazard but less convenient) and mainstream liquid soaps (often include allergens and preservative cocktails). The EWG Verification badge places it in the upper transparency tier for the category, matching other certified hypoallergenic options like Seventh Generation Free & Clear.
If you buy it
Use as directed on the label with standard hand-washing practice; no special precautions needed. Store in a cool, dry location away from extreme heat to preserve surfactant stability, though degradation is not a documented concern. Discontinue use immediately if unusual irritation or rash develops, though reactions are uncommon given the hypoallergenic formulation. Replace when depleted; liquid soaps do not require rotation or inspection for coating breakdown like cookware.
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 contamination
Plant-derived surfactants used in this product can harbor trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct; EWG Verification suggests testing, but public documentation of non-detection is not available. Residual levels in rinse-off products are typically negligible due to dilution and immediate removal.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers in preservatives
The Free & Clear line is explicitly formulated to exclude formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea). No public testing or recalls indicate presence of these agents in this product.
Heavy metals or pigments in colorants
ECOS Free & Clear is dye-free, eliminating the primary vector for heavy metal contamination in cosmetics. The absence of synthetic colorants removes this hazard class entirely.
Fragrance allergens
The product is fragrance-free, which is the defining feature of the Free & Clear formulation. This design choice removes one of the leading sources of sensitization in hand soaps.
Bacterial growth or contamination in packaging
Liquid hand soap in sealed pump bottles has minimal risk of bacterial proliferation if used as directed and stored at room temperature. No recalls related to microbial contamination have been issued for this product.
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.