Kiehl's Since 1851 · Body Wash
Kiehls Body Fuel Wash Shampoo and Body Wash 1000ml
Lower concern for PFAS, typical rinse-off cleanser with no performance coatings or water-repellency treatments flagged.
Kiehl's Body Fuel is a rinse-off liquid cleanser with no known waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick treatments that typically introduce PFAS. The brand does not claim PFAS-free status.
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aqueous cleansing base (liquid shampoo/body wash, no coating or treatment applied)
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
Kiehl's Body Fuel is a liquid aqueous cleanser, surfactants, water, and fragrance in a simple rinse-off formula with no ceramic, plastic, or durable coatings involved. Unlike cookware or textiles, body washes are designed to be immediately diluted and removed from skin, which dramatically reduces exposure to any residual ingredients. The formulation chemistry is typical for premium body wash: gentle enough for daily use, with no reported hazardous binders or treatments applied to the product itself.
The brand's record and disclosure
Kiehl's is owned by L'Oréal and operates under standard cosmetic industry compliance (US FDA, EU Cosmetics Regulation). The brand has not published a comprehensive transparency report on fragrance allergens or preservative choices, and maintains a largely silent stance on PFAS in personal care. No major product recalls or safety controversies specific to Body Fuel Wash are on record. Standard ingredient disclosure appears on packaging and product databases.
How it compares in its category
Body Fuel Wash sits in the mid-to-premium segment with formulations comparable to Cetaphil or CeraVe in terms of basic safety profile. It lacks third-party certifications (e.g., EWG verified, Leaping Bunny) that some competitors carry, which may matter if you prioritize independent ingredient auditing. For a rinse-off product, the hazard profile is typical and unremarkable; brand transparency on specific allergens or controversial preservatives is not above category norm.
If you buy it
Use as directed on packaging; no special storage or heat precautions apply beyond standard room-temperature storage away from direct sunlight. If skin irritation develops, discontinue and consult a dermatologist; rinse-off products carry minimal residual risk. The 1000 ml bottle is stable over typical shelf life (2-3 years unopened). No replacement or maintenance is needed beyond standard consumption.
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
Body Fuel Wash lists 'fragrance' as an ingredient but does not disclose individual fragrance components on standard labeling. Common fragrance allergens (limonene, linalool, citral) may be present; rinse-off exposure is brief, but individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies should patch test or choose unscented alternatives.
1,4-dioxane (preservation byproduct)
No specific data on 1,4-dioxane levels in this product are publicly available. Industry practice and regulatory compliance suggest levels, if present, would be minimal; this is a known trace contaminant in some rinse-off cleansers but not a formulation choice. No recall or safety alert exists for Body Fuel Wash on this basis.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservatives)
No formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are disclosed in standard ingredient lists for this product. Kiehl's does not appear to use DMDM hydantoin or similar agents in Body Fuel Wash based on available ingredient transparency; risk is not established.
Microplastic content
This is a liquid cleanser with no known intentional microbeads or plastic particulates. Kiehl's phased out microbeads from body washes well ahead of regulatory bans; Body Fuel Wash does not contain them.
Heavy metals in colorants or mineral additives
No mineral pigments, talc, or intentional heavy-metal-containing colorants are identified in standard formulations. Cosmetic manufacturers subject to FDA oversight are required to limit lead and cadmium; no specific contamination has been reported for this product.
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.