Seventh Generation · Hand Sanitizer
Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation
Lower-concern choice; MADE SAFE certification and plant-based formula reduce PFAS risk significantly.
Seventh Generation's hand wash is water-based with plant-derived ingredients and carries MADE SAFE certification, which explicitly screens for PFAS and other harmful chemicals. No nonstick coatings, waterproofing treatments, or stain repellents are used in liquid hand soap formulations.
Brand says: “Seventh Generation is certified by MADE SAFE, which screens for harmful chemicals including PFAS”
Material
water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients
Brand disclosure
Third-party verified PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
Independently verified PFAS-free by a third party.
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
Seventh Generation Natural Hand Wash uses plant-derived surfactants (typically coconut or palm-based) rather than synthetic detergents, paired with water and botanical extracts. Plant surfactants are gentler on skin and biodegrade faster than petroleum-derived alternatives, reducing aquatic toxicity. The water-based formulation eliminates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can off-gas indoors, a concern with solvent-heavy hand sanitizers. Absence of triclosan and other antimicrobial agents also avoids endocrine-disruption concerns documented with those compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
Seventh Generation has a documented history of ingredient transparency, listing all components on packaging and online. The company holds MADE SAFE third-party certification, which screens for over 700 chemicals of concern including formaldehyde releasers, phthalates, and heavy metals. No recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific hand wash product. The brand has publicly committed to removing harmful ingredients and regularly publishes sustainability and safety reports.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial hand soaps contain synthetic surfactants and fragrance allergens; this product avoids both major categories of concern. Compared to antibacterial hand sanitizers (alcohol-based), this wash is gentler and does not contribute to antibiotic resistance. It sits at the transparency and safety standard end of the hand soap market, competing with Dr. Bronner's and similar EWG-rated low-hazard brands. Price is mid-range for certified natural hand soaps.
If you buy it
Use as directed; no special storage precautions are needed beyond keeping the bottle upright and away from extreme heat. For sensitive skin, test on a small area first, though fragrance and irritant risk is low. Replace when empty; do not transfer to non-food containers that might confuse it with a beverage. If accidentally ingested in large quantity, contact Poison Control, though plant surfactants are low-toxicity.
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
Seventh Generation hand wash contains essential oils and botanical fragrances; while generally safer than synthetic fragrance blends, individual sensitivities to lavender, citrus, or other plant extracts are documented in sensitive populations.
1,4-dioxane contamination
No published testing or recalls indicate 1,4-dioxane in this formulation. Plant-derived surfactants have lower contamination risk than ethoxylated synthetic surfactants, though third-party verification would be needed to confirm absence entirely.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers
MADE SAFE certification specifically screens for formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. No evidence of such additives in this product's published ingredient list or in safety literature.
Heavy metal contamination in botanical extracts
Plant-derived ingredients can absorb heavy metals (lead, cadmium) from soil. No specific testing data on this product is publicly available, but MADE SAFE certification and supply-chain oversight reduce this risk versus unregulated plant-extract hand soaps.
Skin irritation from alkalinity or protein denaturation
Water-based plant surfactants in this formulation are pH-balanced and milder than lye-based or highly alkaline soaps. No widespread skin irritation reports are associated with this specific product.
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.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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.