Softsoap · Hand Soap
Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap Refill
Lower PFAS concern; standard hand soap with no known fluorochemical additives.
Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap Refill is a simple aqueous surfactant product with no identified PFAS-bearing ingredients or water/stain-resistant coatings. The brand makes no PFAS claims and maintains standard silence on the topic. No public lab testing or government recalls signal concern for this product category.
Shop Softsoap on Amazon →Material
aqueous liquid soap (water, detergents, glycerin, fragrance)
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 Liquid Hand Soap Refill is a water-based formulation containing anionic and nonionic detergents, humectants like glycerin, and fragrance compounds. This is a conventional surfactant system designed for mild skin cleansing without known hazardous processing aids or preservative classes of concern. The aqueous base means no volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are released during normal use, unlike bar soaps or aerosols.
The brand's record and disclosure
Softsoap (owned by Colgate-Palmolive) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing, allergen testing, or third-party safety certifications on most product variants. The brand has no major product recalls or safety controversies on record for hand soap formulations. Colgate-Palmolive maintains basic regulatory compliance but does not pursue eco-certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny) for this line.
How it compares in its category
Softsoap Liquid Hand Soap is a mid-tier mass-market product. It is comparable to other mainstream liquid soaps (Dial, Irish Spring) in composition and safety profile. Certified organic or allergen-reduced alternatives (e.g., Seventh Generation, Dr. Bronner's) offer more detailed ingredient transparency and third-party vetting, but Softsoap's standard formula carries no known hazards beyond normal fragrance sensitivity risk.
If you buy it
Use as directed on skin and rinse thoroughly with water. Store refills in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain formula stability and prevent premature degradation. Discontinue use if skin irritation develops; fragrance sensitivity is the primary individual risk factor. Refill bottles are recyclable; check local programs for plastic #1 or #2 acceptance.
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 (unspecified)
Softsoap formulations list 'fragrance' as a catch-all ingredient but do not publicly disclose specific fragrance compounds. Common allergens like limonene or linalool may be present, posing risk to individuals with fragrance sensitivity or eczema.
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing byproduct)
No independent testing or recalls document 1,4-dioxane in Softsoap hand soap. Standard industry practice and regulatory monitoring suggest levels, if present, are below concern thresholds in finished rinse-off products.
Heavy metals in colorants or preservatives
Softsoap hand soap contains minimal or no intentional colorants and uses standard FDA-approved preservatives. No testing or regulatory action has flagged lead, cadmium, or other metals in this product line.
Skin irritation from surfactant concentration
Liquid hand soaps formulated for high detergent activity may cause dryness or irritation with frequent use or in individuals with sensitive skin. Softsoap's standard concentration is within industry norms but not labeled as hypoallergenic or dermatologist-tested.
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 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.