Eucerin · Body Wash
Eucerin pH5 Shower Gel & Oil
Lower concern, standard rinse-off cosmetic with no known PFAS triggers.
Eucerin pH5 Shower Gel & Oil is a wash-off personal care product with no waterproofing, stain resistance, or non-stick coating, the typical PFAS-use categories. The brand makes no PFAS claims and the formulation relies on conventional emulsifiers and preservatives.
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aqueous gel and oil base with glycerin, emulsifiers, preservatives
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
Eucerin pH5 Shower Gel & Oil is a water-based emulsion combining glycerin (humectant), plant oils (typically mineral or synthetic esters), and standard cosmetic emulsifiers to blend oil and water phases. The formulation includes preservatives (likely phenoxyethanol or parabens) to prevent microbial growth, and pH buffers to maintain skin-neutral acidity around 5.0. Because this product is rinsed off immediately after application, dermal absorption and systemic exposure remain minimal even if concerning ingredients were present, which significantly reduces practical risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
Eucerin is owned by Beiersdorf and has a long track record of transparent ingredient labeling and dermatological testing. The brand does not prominently advertise fragrance-free or hypoallergenic status for this specific product, but maintains established safety and efficacy standards typical of major European cosmetic houses. No major recalls or safety controversies specific to pH5 Shower Gel & Oil are on public record. The brand remains silent on PFAS disclosure practices generally, consistent with most mainstream cosmetic manufacturers.
How it compares in its category
Body washes in this price and performance tier typically contain similar preservative systems, emulsifiers, and glycerin bases; Eucerin's pH5 line is positioned as dermatologist-recommended and skin-neutral rather than novelty or premium. It compares favorably to mass-market alternatives (e.g., Dove, Cetaphil) in ingredient simplicity and to luxury brands in accessibility and consistency of formulation. The addition of oil phase differentiates it from basic gel washes and reduces skin irritation risk for sensitive users, making it a reasonable middle option.
If you buy it
Use as directed: apply to wet skin, lather, and rinse thoroughly with water. No heating, storage in extreme temperature, or prolonged contact with skin is necessary or beneficial. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve emulsion stability and prevent preservative degradation. If irritation or allergic reaction occurs (unlikely given the rinse-off format), discontinue and consult a dermatologist; otherwise, no special maintenance or replacement triggers apply beyond normal product shelf life (typically 24-36 months unopened).
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.”
Preservative allergens (phenoxyethanol / parabens)
Eucerin pH5 formulations commonly include these broad-spectrum preservatives, which can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals (estimated 1-3% of users). Rinse-off format minimizes systemic exposure, but skin-contact time during showering may be sufficient to provoke localized reaction in pre-sensitized persons.
Fragrance allergens
This product contains fragrance (parfum); while the pH5 line emphasizes mildness, undisclosed fragrance components can trigger allergic contact dermatitis or respiratory sensitivity in fragrance-sensitive individuals. The rinse-off format and typical shower duration (under 5 minutes) minimize risk compared to leave-on products.
1,4-dioxane contamination (secondary)
No specific testing or disclosure for 1,4-dioxane in Eucerin pH5 is on public record. This cosmetic-grade contaminant is found in some rinse-off formulations containing ethoxylated ingredients; if present, concentrations are typically trace and further reduced by immediate rinsing and low dermal absorption.
Heavy metals in colorants/pigments
Eucerin pH5 Shower Gel & Oil does not contain visibly colored pigments or mica that would require iron oxide or other metal-based colorants. Standard water-soluble dyes used in cosmetics are regulated and tested; no known issues are documented for this product line.
Emulsion instability and microbial growth if mishandled
Oil-in-water emulsions can separate or degrade if stored improperly (heat, light, humidity) or left open, potentially reducing preservative efficacy and allowing bacterial or fungal growth. Proper recapping and room-temperature storage mitigate this risk entirely.
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.
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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.