Honest Company · Body Wash
The Honest Company Calm Shampoo & Body Wash Refill
Lower concern, liquid cleanser with no known PFAS vectors, but brand makes no explicit commitment.
Honest Company's shampoo/body wash is a liquid cosmetic with no ingredients or format that typically requires PFAS (no waterproofing, non-stick, or water-repellent treatment needed). The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS policy, but the product category and claimed plant-based formulation suggest lower inherent risk.
Shop Honest Company on Amazon →Material
Water-based plant-derived cleansing agents, glycerin, fragrance, water
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
This product is a water-based formulation relying on plant-derived surfactants and glycerin as the primary cleaning agents, avoiding the synthetic petrochemical bases found in conventional body washes. The liquid format and water content make it inherently low-risk for the material degradation and leaching issues typical of solid or ceramic cookware. Fragrance is present but undisclosed in detail, which is standard industry practice though limits full transparency for fragrance-sensitive users.
The brand's record and disclosure
Honest Company holds certifications from third parties including EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny (cruelty-free), and hypoallergenic standards, indicating voluntary compliance with external safety review. The brand does not explicitly disclose PFAS avoidance policies in public statements, a gap in transparency that leaves commitment unclear. No recalls or substantiated safety controversies are on record for this specific product line. The refill format reduces packaging waste, though plastic bottle material composition is not detailed in standard marketing.
How it compares in its category
Liquid body washes pose lower inherent risks than solid bars or powders because water content and liquid state prevent the concentration and degradation pathways that create leaching hazards. Honest Company's plant-based positioning sits in the premium natural cleansing segment, comparable to brands like Burt's Bees or Seventh Generation, and carries similar third-party vetting. Most mainstream alternatives (e.g., commercial brands) lack EWG verification, making this product slightly more transparent by category standard. The refill format is increasingly common but still rarer than single-use bottles in conventional retail.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent any fragrance volatilization or preservative degradation over the product's shelf life. Use as directed on skin; no heating, mixing with other products, or non-standard application methods are required or recommended. Check the bottle for integrity before use, particularly on refills, to avoid contamination. For users with fragrance sensitivity or contact dermatitis history, perform a patch test first, as fragrance remains the most common irritant in cleansing products even in plant-derived formulations.
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 and sensitizers
Fragrance is present but not fully disclosed beyond 'fragrance' labeling. Plant-derived fragrance components are still common allergens (e.g., limonene, linalool); undisclosed formulation limits assessment for sensitive individuals.
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in surfactants)
Plant-derived surfactants are generally lower-risk than ethoxylated synthetic surfactants, but ethoxylation processes used in some natural cleanser production can introduce trace 1,4-dioxane. No testing data on record for this specific product.
Preservative safety (formaldehyde releasers)
EWG Verified status suggests scrutiny of preservative systems; formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are typically avoided in products carrying this certification. No specific preservative ingredients are disclosed in standard marketing materials.
Heavy metals in pigments or colorants
Liquid body wash formulations do not typically require pigments or colorants; if present, they would be minimal and not a primary concern for this product class.
Microplastic contamination
Liquid cleanser format does not inherently contain microplastic microbeads; EWG Verified status would flag their presence if found. No known exfoliants of microplastic origin are disclosed.
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.