Olay · Body Wash
Olay Ultra Moisture Plus Body Wash
Lower concern; typical rinse-off body wash with no known PFAS application or reported contamination.
Olay Ultra Moisture Plus Body Wash is a rinse-off cosmetic with no disclosed PFAS use or waterproofing/stain-resistance treatments that would justify PFAS addition. The brand makes no PFAS claims. No public lab data or recalls exist.
Shop Olay on Amazon →Material
aqueous cleansing base, glycerin, emollients
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
Olay Ultra Moisture Plus is an aqueous cleansing base formulated with glycerin, emollients, and surfactants typical of mainstream body washes. The glycerin and occlusive ingredients are designed to hydrate skin rather than strip it, reducing irritation risk from the cleansing step. Because this is a rinse-off product applied briefly and then washed away, dermal absorption of ingredients is minimal compared to leave-on formulations.
The brand's record and disclosure
Olay (P&G subsidiary) discloses ingredient lists on packaging and online; no major recalls or safety violations specific to this product line are on public record. The brand does not explicitly publish PFAS elimination commitments, though rinse-off body washes are not a known vector for PFAS contamination. Olay has faced no documented controversies regarding formaldehyde releasers, 1,4-dioxane, or heavy metal contamination in recent body wash products.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mainstream commercial body wash space, where safety profiles are broadly similar across major brands. Most body washes of this type are formulated to meet U.S. FDA guidance and do not require preservatives or additives with high hazard profiles. The inclusion of glycerin and emollients is standard for moisturizing variants and does not elevate risk relative to unscented or basic cleansing alternatives.
If you buy it
Use as directed on packaging; no special storage or heat precautions are necessary for a rinse-off aqueous product. Because this is applied briefly and rinsed away, skin sensitivity is the primary concern for individual users, not chemical hazard. If skin irritation develops, patch test a small amount on the inner arm before resuming full-body use. Store in a cool, dry place and discard if the product separates, thickens abnormally, or develops odor, which may indicate microbial growth in the opened container.
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.”
1,4-dioxane (solvent impurity)
No public testing or recalls document 1,4-dioxane contamination in Olay Ultra Moisture Plus. This impurity is possible in ethoxylated surfactants but is not routinely reported in body wash products from major manufacturers and would be present only in trace amounts in a rinse-off formulation.
Fragrance allergens and sensory irritants
The product contains fragrance (listed on label); some consumers may experience contact dermatitis or respiratory sensitivity to fragrance compounds. This is a known individual variability issue in body washes, not a product-specific safety failure, and is mitigated by rinsing.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers (preservative)
No documented use of formaldehyde releasers (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) has been reported in this product. Olay typically uses other preservative systems in modern formulations.
Heavy metals in colorants or pigments
Body washes contain minimal colorants and no pigments requiring heavy metal testing. No recalls or test results document lead, cadmium, or other metals in Olay Ultra Moisture Plus at hazardous levels.
Microplastic or microbeads
This product is not marketed as an exfoliating scrub and does not appear to contain plastic microbeads. U.S. federal microbeads bans (2015 onward) have eliminated this hazard from mainstream body washes.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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.