Dettol Review, Is Dettol Non-Toxic?
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
Across 6 graded products, Dettol averages Excellent (75/100). On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. 6 of its products grade Good or better. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab results.
Worth buying from Dettol Good or better, safest first
Dettol
Original Instant Hand Sanitizer
Aqueous alcohol-based sanitizer liquid (ethanol, water, isopropanol typical formulation)
Skin irritation or sensitization (alcohol, fragrance if present)
Ethanol or isopropanol can dry or irritate sensitive skin with repeated use; fragrance…
Accidental ingestion (alcohol content)
Hand sanitizers typically contain 60-70% ethanol, which is toxic if swallowed in…
Eye or mucous membrane irritation (if contact occurs)
Alcohol-based products cause stinging and temporary irritation if splashed into eyes…
Flammability (ethanol base)
Alcohol-based sanitizers are flammable and should be stored away from open flame, heat…
Low concern for PFAS; typical hand sanitizer formulation unlikely to require fluorinated coatings.
⚠Risky category by default
Dettol
Instant Disinfectant Hand Sanitizer
Liquid hydroalcoholic hand sanitizer formulation
Fragrance allergens
Dettol Instant Hand Sanitizer contains fragrance compounds not fully itemized on…
Eye and mucous membrane irritation
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are designed to avoid these tissues, but accidental contact…
Skin barrier disruption with chronic use
Repeated daily application of high-alcohol sanitizers can strip skin oils and cause…
Inhalation risk from volatilized alcohol
In poorly ventilated spaces, heavy or repeated use of hand sanitizer can create momentary…
Low concern for typical alcohol-based hand sanitizer; no red flags identified.
⚠Risky category by default
Dettol
Instant Hand Sanitizer 50ml
Aqueous alcohol-based liquid sanitizer (ethanol, water, glycerin)
Fragrance allergens
Dettol Instant Hand Sanitizer contains fragrance compounds (typically citral, linalool…
Skin irritation and drying from ethanol
High-concentration ethanol (70%) can strip skin lipids and cause dryness, tightness, or…
Preservative safety (methyl/propylparaben or phenoxyethanol risk)
Most Dettol formulations contain preservatives such as methylisothiazolinone or parabens…
Flammability and improper storage risk
As an ethanol-based liquid, this product is flammable. Improper storage near heat…
Low concern; alcohol-based hand sanitizer carries minimal inherent PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Dettol
Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser Aloe Vera Gel 50ml
Alcohol gel base (ethanol/isopropyl), aloe vera extract, glycerin
Fragrance allergens and skin sensitivity
Dettol products contain proprietary fragrance blends that may trigger contact dermatitis…
Alcohol content and flammability risk
Ethanol or isopropyl alcohol at 60-70% is flammable. Risk is low during normal hand…
Skin drying and barrier disruption with chronic use
Frequent use of alcohol sanitizers removes natural skin oils despite glycerin inclusion.…
Accidental ingestion risk in children
The gel format and small 50ml tube size increase risk if a child accesses and ingests the…
Low concern; no known use case for PFAS in alcohol-based hand sanitizer gels.
⚠Risky category by default
Dettol
Instant Liquid Hand Sanitiser 200mL
Aqueous liquid hand sanitiser (water-based, alcohol)
Alcohol flammability
Ethanol/isopropanol at 70% concentration is flammable. Keep away from heat sources, open…
Skin irritation or sensitisation from fragrance or humectants
Minor ingredients such as glycerin and fragrance compounds may cause contact dermatitis…
Accidental ingestion toxicity
Ethanol and isopropanol are toxic if swallowed, particularly to children and pets.…
Microbial contamination from improper storage or degradation
If the bottle is contaminated at source, opened frequently in warm/humid conditions, or…
Low concern; liquid hand sanitizer formula has no inherent need for PFAS.
⚠Risky category by default
Dettol
Sanitizer
aqueous solution (water-based antiseptic liquid)
Contact dermatitis (chloroxylenol and fragrance)
Chloroxylenol is a known skin sensitizer in susceptible individuals, particularly with…
Eye irritation
Aqueous antiseptic solutions are formulated to minimize but not eliminate eye contact…
Oral/ingestion toxicity
Chloroxylenol in high concentrations can cause gastrointestinal irritation and toxicity…
Preservative-related sensitization
Water-based formulations require preservatives to prevent bacterial and fungal growth.…
Low concern; liquid antiseptic contains no known PFAS vectors, but brand offers no explicit assurance.
⚠Risky category by default
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →