Ivory · Body Wash
Ivory Body Wash
Lower PFAS concern; liquid cleanser uses standard formula.
Ivory Body Wash is a simple rinse-off liquid cleanser unlikely to contain intentional PFAS. No waterproofing, water-repellency, or nonstick coatings are needed in liquid soap formulations.
Shop Ivory on Amazon →Material
aqueous surfactant base, water-soluble ingredients
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
Ivory body wash is a water-based liquid cleanser built on anionic surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate or similar), water, and preservatives. This formulation is fundamentally different from solid soaps and poses no risk of leaching from coatings, ceramic glazes, or plastic contact as with cookware or food storage. The aqueous base means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or off-gassing concerns typical of solid furniture or carpet products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Procter & Gamble (Ivory's parent company) does not publicly disclose PFAS content in body wash products, maintaining a largely silent stance on PFAS "forever chemicals" in personal care lines. The brand has not faced major safety recalls or controversies specific to Ivory body wash in recent years. P&G is subject to US FDA cosmetic regulations but not required to disclose all chemical ingredients beyond safety-assessed preservatives and colorants.
How it compares in its category
Body washes as a category carry minimal inherent hazard because they are brief-contact, rinse-off products used on intact skin. Ivory sits at the mainstream, conventional end of the spectrum; unbranded or boutique brands may omit synthetic preservatives but offer no documented safety advantage. Compared to bar soaps, liquid formulations avoid skin microabrasion but require preservatives; Ivory's formulation is industry-standard and does not stand out as either exceptionally risky or unusually clean.
If you buy it
Use Ivory body wash as directed on the label and rinse thoroughly. Do not ingest or allow prolonged eye contact. Store below 77F (25C) to slow any preservative degradation, though unopened bottles will remain stable for years. If skin irritation or allergic reactions occur (rare with this formulation), discontinue and consult a dermatologist. Standard product shelf life is 2-3 years; discard if the product separates or develops an off odor.
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 or irritants
Ivory body wash contains standard cosmetic preservatives (likely methylisothiazolinone or sodium benzoate) which can trigger contact dermatitis or sensitization in a small percentage of users. This is a known class risk for rinse-off cleansers, not specific to Ivory, but worth noting for sensitive skin populations.
Fragrance allergens
Ivory body wash contains added fragrance; synthetic and natural fragrance components can cause allergic contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation in sensitive individuals. Fragrance is not fully disclosed on labels and varies by region and product line revision.
Eye and mucous membrane irritation
As a surfactant-based cleanser, Ivory body wash can cause mild to moderate eye stinging if contact occurs. This is inherent to the product class and not a manufacturing defect; rinse eyes immediately with water if exposure happens.
Skin barrier disruption with overuse
Frequent or prolonged exposure to anionic surfactants can strip natural skin oils and disrupt the skin barrier, particularly in individuals with eczema or xerosis. Ivory is not unusually stripping compared to other drugstore body washes, but cumulative irritation is possible with daily use on sensitive skin.
Heavy metals in colorants
No recalls or reports of heavy metal contamination (lead, cadmium, chromium) in Ivory body wash have been documented. P&G's supply chain and cosmetic manufacturing standards include testing for such contaminants under FDA guidance.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.