Olay · Body Wash
Olay Ultra Moisture Shea Butter Body Wash
Lower concern, body wash is not a PFAS-typical use case, but Olay makes no public disclosure.
Olay Ultra Moisture Shea Butter Body Wash contains no known PFAS-prone ingredients (nonstick coatings, water repellency, stain resistance). Body washes and rinse-off cosmetics are inherently lower-risk for PFAS exposure because they are not designed to stay on skin or form protective barriers.
Shop Olay on Amazon →Material
aqueous surfactant blend, emollients, glycerin (typical body wash)
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 Shea Butter Body Wash is an aqueous rinse-off product based on surfactants (detergents) blended with glycerin, shea butter, and emollients. Because body wash is diluted in water, applied briefly to skin, and rinsed away, systemic absorption and bioaccumulation risks are minimal compared to leave-on cosmetics. The formula is designed to clean while softening skin; shea butter and glycerin act as humectants to prevent drying.
The brand's record and disclosure
Olay (Procter & Gamble subsidiary) does not publicly disclose full ingredient sourcing or third-party safety testing for this product. The brand has no documented safety recalls or regulatory warnings for this body wash line. P&G maintains general cosmetic safety compliance and product liability insurance but does not publish detailed chemical safety data sheets for consumer body care products.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mainstream mass-market segment. Body washes with similar glycerin and botanical-oil formulations are common; Olay's positioning emphasizes moisturization rather than novelty. No independent testing results distinguish this formula from comparable drugstore alternatives in terms of contaminant or irritant risk.
If you buy it
Body wash requires no special storage beyond room temperature and standard humidity (avoid prolonged exposure to direct heat). Use as directed: apply to skin, lather, rinse thoroughly with water. Discontinue if skin irritation or rash develops. The product is designed for single-use wash cycles and does not require maintenance or replacement triggers beyond empty bottle.
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 (surfactant contaminant)
Certain ethoxylated surfactants common in body washes may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct. Olay does not publicly disclose contaminant testing; FDA allows up to 10 ppm in rinse-off products due to minimal dermal absorption.
Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
Product lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without naming components. Synthetic fragrance blends can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; Olay does not publish fragrance composition details.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
No formaldehyde releasers (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are reported in Olay body wash formulations, though ingredient lists are proprietary and incomplete on consumer labels.
Heavy metals in colorants (if present)
Body washes typically contain minimal pigmentation; Olay Ultra Moisture Shea Butter appears lightly colored but no lead, cadmium, or chromium contamination is documented for this product line.
Skin irritation from surfactant stripping (use-related)
Some users report mild dryness or sensitivity with body washes despite glycerin content, particularly with frequent use or on compromised skin. Shea butter content may mitigate but does not eliminate detergent irritation potential.
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.