Axe Body Wash Excite
Lower concern. Liquid body wash formulation unlikely to contain PFAS.
Axe Body Wash Excite is a liquid cosmetic with typical surfactant and fragrance ingredients. No public disclosure of PFAS, but standard body wash formulations carry lower inherent risk than coated textiles or cookware.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, surfactants, glycerin, fragrance
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Axe Body Wash Excite is made of, ingredients and materials
Axe Excite is a liquid body wash composed primarily of water, surfactants (cleaning agents), glycerin (humectant), and fragrance compounds. The water-based format eliminates risks associated with powder or aerosol dispersal. Surfactants in rinse-off personal care products are used at concentrations designed to clean skin without leaving residue; glycerin is a common humectant with no established toxicity at typical use levels. The fragrance component is the primary variable requiring attention in this product class.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Axe Excite contains fragrance compounds listed generically as 'fragrance' or 'parfum' on labels. Fragrance mixes commonly include limonene, linalool, and other volatile compounds that can trigger contact dermatitis or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. No disclosure of specific fragrance components is publicly available for this product.
Skin irritation from surfactant concentration or pH
Body washes contain detergent surfactants at levels sufficient to cleanse; formulations are typically pH-balanced (5.5 to 7), but individual sensitivity varies. Axe Excite, being fragrance-forward and mass-market, is not formulated for sensitive skin. Prolonged or frequent use may cause mild dryness in some users; no recalls for irritation are on record.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
1,4-dioxane contamination
1,4-dioxane is a possible trace contaminant in surfactants derived from ethylene oxide. No recall or specific testing data on record for Axe Excite indicates presence above concern levels. Regulatory limits exist in the EU and some US states; manufacturing standards typically keep levels very low in rinse-off products.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasers (e.g., imidazolidinyl urea, DMDM hydantoin) are listed in disclosed or typical Axe body wash formulations. Liquid body washes generally use alternative preservative systems; no regulatory action or report on record for this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Axe Excite contains no disclosed colorants, mica, or pigments that would introduce lead, cadmium, or arsenic. Water and glycerin do not typically harbor heavy metals at use concentrations. No testing data publicly available, but absence of pigment-based ingredients reduces concern.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Axe (owned by Unilever) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing, fragrance composition breakdowns, or third-party safety certifications specific to this product line. The brand has not faced major recalls or regulatory actions tied to Axe body wash formulations. Unilever has faced criticism regarding transparency on PFAS use across its portfolio, but Axe body wash itself carries no documented PFAS concern. No dermatological certifications (e.g., hypoallergenic, fragrance-free) are claimed for this variant.
How it compares in its category
Axe Excite is a mass-market, fragrance-forward body wash typical of the category. It sits in the middle range regarding ingredient transparency compared to premium or natural brands (which often list more details) and generic store brands (which vary widely). Body washes as a category carry lower hazard profiles than bar soaps, shampoos, or leave-on cosmetics because contact time is brief and rinse-off is complete. Fragrance-heavy products in this segment generally present equal or lower concern than specialty or medicated variants.
If you buy it
Use the product as directed, apply to wet skin, lather, and rinse thoroughly with water. Avoid contact with eyes; if contact occurs, rinse immediately. Store in a cool, dry place and replace if separation, discoloration, or odor change occurs (sign of formula instability). Individuals with fragrance sensitivity, dermatitis, or sensitive skin may benefit from patch testing on a small area first or choosing fragrance-free alternatives; this product is not hypoallergenic and is not formulated for problem skin.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Axe has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More body wash 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.