Marigold · Hand Sanitizer
Hand Sanitizers 70% Alcohol & 100% Natural
Lower PFAS concern; typical alcohol-based hand sanitizer with no known high-risk chemistry.
Hand sanitizers are not a typical PFAS application, no water-resistance, nonstick, or stain-repellency claims trigger concern. The "100% natural" claim on Marigold's label is vague but doesn't reference PFAS treatment.
Shop Marigold on Amazon →Material
Ethanol (70%) + water + unspecified natural 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
This product is primarily ethanol (70%), which is the active antimicrobial agent approved by FDA and WHO for hand sanitizers. Ethanol at this concentration denatures bacterial and viral proteins effectively. The remaining 30% is water plus unspecified 'natural ingredients,' which likely include humectants (glycerin or similar) to prevent skin drying, and possibly plant extracts for fragrance or preservative effect. The vague formulation means you cannot verify what those natural additives are, though at typical hand sanitizer concentrations they pose minimal exposure risk.
The brand's record and disclosure
Marigold has not publicly disclosed detailed ingredient lists, safety certifications (such as NSF, ISO, or third-party microbial testing), or manufacturing transparency. No major recalls or safety incidents linked to Marigold hand sanitizers appear in FDA or public databases. The 'natural' marketing claim is unregulated and unsupported by evidence of superior safety compared to conventional formulations. Brand silence on PFAS and other chemical transparency is typical of smaller or regional hand sanitizer makers and does not indicate presence of these chemicals, only lack of proactive disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers at 70% ethanol are standard across most commercial brands (Purell, Germ-X, store brands). Marigold's claim of '100% natural' ingredients beyond ethanol is marketing-driven; ethanol itself is not typically marketed as 'natural' even though it is fermentation-derived. This product likely performs equivalently to mid-tier conventional sanitizers. The lack of published antimicrobial efficacy data (e.g., log-kill rates) or third-party testing makes it harder to verify real-world performance versus certified alternatives.
If you buy it
Use as directed: apply to clean or visibly dirt-free hands and rub until dry. Do not ingest or apply to broken skin, eyes, or mucous membranes. Keep away from heat and open flame (ethanol is flammable). Store in a cool, dry place and replace if the bottle leaks, becomes discolored, or you notice separation of ingredients. Hand sanitizers are not substitutes for soap and water in heavily soiled conditions; use soap and water when hands are visibly dirty.
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.”
Ethanol toxicity if ingested
70% ethanol is safe for topical use but toxic if swallowed, especially for children. Marigold does not specify whether denatonium bitrate (bitter agent) is added to deter ingestion, a best practice.
Undisclosed natural ingredients (allergen/irritant risk)
Without full ingredient disclosure, plant extracts or fragrance compounds cannot be evaluated for contact dermatitis or sensitization potential. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity should avoid until ingredients are specified.
Skin dryness and barrier damage with repeated use
All alcohol-based sanitizers can dry skin and degrade the stratum corneum over frequent daily use. Marigold's formula does not specify humectant concentration, so moisturizing benefit versus standard formulas is unclear.
Absence of third-party antimicrobial efficacy testing
No public records confirm Marigold sanitizer meets FDA or ISO log-kill standards, meaning real-world germicidal performance cannot be independently verified.
Flammability hazard
70% ethanol is flammable; keep away from heat, sparks, and flame. Not a hazard in normal hand use but relevant for storage and handling.
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 Hand Sanitizer
Seventh Generation
Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation
water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients
Lower-concern choice; MADE SAFE certification and plant-based formula reduce PFAS risk significantly.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist
Water-based cosmetic spray (alcohol, water, plant extracts, preservatives)
Lower-concern choice; hand mist format and brand transparency reduce PFAS risk, though no dedicated lab testing published.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Honest Company
The Honest Company SANI SPRAY-2OZ-GRAPEFRUIT
Water-based formula (spray disinfectant)
Lower-concern buy; transparent brand with third-party backing on PFAS.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More hand sanitizer 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.