Lush · Body Wash
LUSH Sticky Dates Shower Gel
Lower concern, a simple rinse-off gel with no PFAS-prone features, but Lush offers no public PFAS transparency.
Sticky Dates Shower Gel is a water-based cosmetic gel with no waterproofing, stain resistance, or non-stick coatings typical of PFAS use. Lush does not publicly disclose PFAS policies or testing, which limits full assurance. For a rinse-off gel, the inherent PFAS risk is low, but transparency from the brand would strengthen confidence.
Shop Lush on Amazon →Material
aqueous gel base with glycerin, preservatives, fragrance, and natural ingredients (dates, cocoa, honey)
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
Sticky Dates is a water-based shower gel formulated with glycerin as a humectant, fragrance, and natural-origin ingredients (date extract, cocoa, honey) that serve cosmetic rather than preservative roles. The aqueous gel base means rapid dilution and rinse-off in use, limiting skin contact time and systemic absorption risk. Preservatives (likely parabens or phenoxyethanol, typical for Lush formulations) are present in small amounts to prevent microbial growth in the jar and during storage.
The brand's record and disclosure
Lush has built a public identity around natural and ethical sourcing but provides no formal ingredient transparency reports, PFAS statements, or third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny). The brand does not publish safety data sheets or supplier testing results for heavy metals or contaminants in natural ingredients. No recalls or safety incidents are on public record for this specific product; Lush's general reputation is stable, though ingredient sourcing and preservative choice are not publicly audited.
How it compares in its category
Shower gels are among the lowest-risk personal care products because they are diluted, foamed, and rinsed away within seconds. Sticky Dates contains fragrance and natural ingredients, making it less minimalist than fragrance-free alternatives but typical for mainstream brands. Compared to bar soaps (no preservatives needed) or certified-organic washes, it offers convenience at a modest trade-off in chemical complexity, but well within normal safety margins for the category.
If you buy it
Use as directed: apply small amount to damp skin, lather, rinse thoroughly. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to preserve formula stability. If skin irritation develops (rare), discontinue and rinse with plain water. The product does not require special handling or disposal; standard bathroom storage is appropriate. For sensitive skin, a patch test on the inner arm is optional but low-risk given the rinse-off nature.
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
Lush formulations typically contain natural and synthetic fragrance blends. Fragrance is a known contact allergen in rinse-off products, though incidence is low; individuals with fragrance sensitivity should patch test or choose unscented alternatives.
Preservative safety (parabens or alternatives)
Lush does not publicly disclose preservative type for this product. Standard rinse-off preservatives (parabens, phenoxyethanol) are approved by regulatory bodies; no specific safety flags for Sticky Dates are on record.
Heavy metal contaminants in natural ingredients
Date, cocoa, and honey extracts can accumulate trace metals (cadmium, lead) from soil. Lush does not publish supplier testing data; risk is typical for the category and mitigated by dilution and rinse-off use, but remains unaudited.
Microbial growth if jar contaminated
Jar-packaged gels require clean hands or tools to scoop; standing water and repeated air exposure can allow bacterial or fungal growth if left damp. Not a formulation flaw but a storage practice issue; typical for the category.
1,4-dioxane from ethoxylated ingredients
Some surfactants and emulsifiers can carry 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Lush does not disclose surfactant sourcing; rinse-off use limits absorption risk, but presence is unconfirmed.
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.