Seventh Generation · Hand Soap
Seventh Generation Hand Wash Free And Clear 12 Ounce Packaging May Vary (Pack of 2)
Lower PFAS concern; MADE SAFE certified liquid soap with transparent ingredient disclosure.
Seventh Generation Free & Clear hand wash is a liquid soap with no inherent PFAS exposure pathways (no coatings, waterproofing, or non-stick treatments). The brand holds MADE SAFE certification, which explicitly screens for PFAS.
Brand says: “Seventh Generation products are MADE SAFE certified, excluding PFAS and other hazardous chemicals.”
Material
aqueous liquid hand soap with plant-based surfactants
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 Free and Clear is an aqueous liquid hand soap formulated with plant-derived surfactants (primarily coconut and/or corn-based cleansing agents) rather than petroleum derivatives. The "Free and Clear" line deliberately excludes dyes, perfumes, and botanical extracts that trigger sensitization in vulnerable populations. As a rinse-off product applied briefly to skin and immediately washed away, systemic absorption risk is minimal compared to leave-on cosmetics.
The brand's record and disclosure
Seventh Generation publishes full ingredient lists on packaging and online, and holds MADE SAFE certification (third-party verification that rules out known reproductive toxins, carcinogens, and endocrine disruptors). The brand has no documented safety recalls for this product line and maintains transparent communication about formulation changes. Parent company Unilever's consolidation of Seventh Generation (acquired 2016) has not visibly altered disclosure practices for this soap line.
How it compares in its category
Most conventional hand soaps contain synthetic fragrances (potential allergen mixtures) and colorants absent here. Seventh Generation's plant-surfactant base is common in eco-conscious brands but costs slightly more than petroleum-based alternatives. The certification and fragrance-free formulation position it well for sensitive skin compared to mass-market brands; performance (cleaning efficacy) is equivalent to standard soaps.
If you buy it
Use as a standard hand wash; no special precautions needed beyond avoiding eye contact and rinsing thoroughly. The product does not require heating and is stable at normal room temperature. Replace when empty; no maintenance or reuse considerations apply to liquid soap. Suitable for frequent hand washing and safe for children and pregnant/nursing individuals based on ingredient transparency and certification status.
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 (synthetic impurity in surfactants)
MADE SAFE certification explicitly screens for 1,4-dioxane; no contamination reported in this product line. Plant-derived surfactants carry lower theoretical risk than ethoxylated synthetics.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservative category)
Seventh Generation formulations do not use formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, etc.); the brand avoids this class as standard practice and lists all preservatives transparently.
Heavy metals in colorants/pigments
Free and Clear formula contains no added dyes or colorants; the product is typically clear or pale yellow from the surfactant base itself, eliminating a major source of cadmium or lead in cosmetics.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
The product is explicitly fragrance-free; no essential oils, synthetic fragrances, or masking agents listed. This design choice eliminates the largest allergen source in scented hand soaps.
Skin irritation from surfactant concentration
All hand soaps carry baseline irritation risk if overused (excessive washing strips skin barrier). Seventh Generation's formulation is gentler than harsh sulfate-based alternatives, but frequent use still requires moisturizing. Not specific to this brand but relevant to rinse-off category.
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 soap 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.