Softsoap · Hand Soap
Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap Variety Pack
Lower concern, liquid hand soap rarely requires PFAS; skip only if allergic to fragrance or antibacterial agents.
Softsoap's liquid hand soap is a water-based formulation with no known functional need for PFAS chemistry. The brand makes no PFAS claims or disclosures. Liquid hand soaps lack the water-repellent coatings, non-stick surfaces, or grease-resistance treatments that typically trigger PFAS use in consumer products.
Shop Softsoap on Amazon →Material
aqueous liquid soap, surfactants, preservatives
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
Softsoap Antibacterial Liquid Hand Soap is an aqueous surfactant blend, typically sodium lauryl sulfate or similar anionic detergents, combined with water, glycerin, and preservatives. The "antibacterial" claim historically relied on triclosan or triclocarban in older formulations, but these were banned by the FDA in 2016; current Softsoap antibacterial products use non-halogenated agents like benzalkonium chloride. No evidence of heavy metals, formaldehyde releasers, or problematic coatings applies to liquid soap in bottles.
The brand's record and disclosure
Colgate-Palmolive (Softsoap's parent) provides minimal proactive ingredient transparency on product labels but complies with FDA and FTC regulations. The brand has no major recalls or safety controversies specific to hand soap in the past 15 years. Softsoap does not advertise third-party certifications (e.g., EWG, Leaping Bunny) and does not publish full ingredient lists online by default, requiring label reading at point of sale.
How it compares in its category
Softsoap is a mainstream commercial product positioned mid-tier on price and ingredient simplicity. It lacks certifications found in "clean" or dermatologist-marketed brands but also avoids premium ingredient claims that risk greenwashing. Among liquid hand soaps, it carries typical risk profile: higher fragrance load and preservative use than unscented alternatives, but lower microplastic or novel chemical risk than specialty foaming or gel soaps.
If you buy it
Use as directed on package; no special storage limits (liquid soap stable at room temperature). Discontinue if skin irritation or contact dermatitis develops, particularly if you have fragrance sensitivity or eczema-prone skin. Bottles do not require special handling or maintenance. No heating, microwaving, or prolonged skin contact testing needed for this product type.
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 and skin sensitizers
Softsoap Variety Pack explicitly includes fragrances (product name and marketing suggest multiple scents); fragrance is a known contact allergen affecting 1-3% of population. Exact fragrance compounds are not disclosed on label due to trade secret protection.
Preservative irritation (methylisothiazolinone or similar)
Liquid hand soaps require preservatives to prevent microbial growth in water-based formulas. Softsoap likely uses formaldehyde-releasing preservatives or isothiazolinones; these can trigger contact sensitization with repeated exposure in individuals with sensitive skin.
Benzalkonium chloride (quaternary ammonium compound)
Modern Softsoap antibacterial formulations use benzalkonium chloride as the active antimicrobial agent post-triclosan ban. This compound is well-tolerated in rinse-off soap but may cause sensitization with chronic use in susceptible individuals; FDA considers it safe at regulated concentrations.
No microplastic or heavy metal contamination known
Liquid hand soap in this formulation class does not typically contain microbeads or pigment-based heavy metals. No recalls or testing data indicate lead, cadmium, or cosmetic-grade contamination in Softsoap products.
Bottle plastic leachates (typically PET or HDPE)
Softsoap bottles are standard polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE), neither of which leach BPA or phthalates into aqueous soap at room temperature. No heating or prolonged storage concerns apply.
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 Soap
Ecos
Orange Hand Soap
Plant-based surfactants, water, essential oils (orange)
Lower concern, solid plant-based formula with credible third-party oversight; no PFAS-prone materials.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hand Wash, Free Clean
aqueous surfactants, botanicals, water-based formula
Lower PFAS concern; buy with confidence if skin-sensitivity is a priority.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Liquid Hand Soap Free & Clean
Water-based liquid soap formulation
Lower-concern choice; no PFAS expected in liquid soap format, but verification limited to brand claims.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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.