Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash
Lower concern liquid cleanser, no known PFAS use.
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash is a rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no documented PFAS ingredients or water-repellent treatments. Brand makes no PFAS claims; ingredient profile shows no typical PFAS sources.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, glycerin, cleansing agents, fragrance
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash is made of, ingredients and materials
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash is a water-based formulation built around glycerin (a humectant that draws moisture into skin) and mild surfactants (cleansing agents that lift dirt without stripping oils). The product contains fragrance, which is a mixture of aromatic compounds and potential allergens, but Cetaphil does not disclose ingredient-level fragrance composition. No known heavy metal pigments, talc, or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are used in this product line based on available safety data.
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 (undisclosed aromatic compounds)
Cetaphil does not publish a detailed fragrance ingredient list; fragrance is listed as a single ingredient on the label. Known allergens such as limonene, linalool, or other common fragrance components may be present, posing sensitization or contact dermatitis risk in individuals with fragrance sensitivity or atopic dermatitis, although the product is formulated for sensitive skin.
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants)
If the formulation includes ethoxylated cleansing agents (common in gentle body washes), 1,4-dioxane may be present as a manufacturing byproduct, typically at trace levels below 10 ppm. Cetaphil does not publicly disclose surfactant type or 1,4-dioxane testing results; independent testing of similar products in this brand line has not been reported in public safety databases.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No documented reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash. The product does not list synthetic colorants, and fragrance mixtures in mass-produced cosmetics of this type are routinely screened for heavy metal contamination; no public recalls or third-party testing indicating metals in this product are on record.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash does not list DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, or diazolidinyl urea (common formaldehyde releasers) in its labeled ingredients. The product uses alternative preservative systems appropriate for rinse-off body wash formulations; no documented formaldehyde releaser use in this product line is on record.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination
This is a liquid body wash, not a powder or suspension product, so talc is not expected in the formulation. No talc-related hazards apply to this product category.
The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Cetaphil is owned by Galderma and markets itself as dermatologist-recommended for sensitive skin; the brand does not publish detailed fragrance allergen lists or comprehensive heavy metal testing. The product carries no third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Clean Beauty standard). No recalls or documented adverse event patterns specific to this formulation are on record. The brand maintains a passive stance on PFAS disclosure, neither claiming PFAS-free status nor publishing third-party testing for aqueous personal care products.
How it compares in its category
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle is positioned as a fragrance-containing but hypoallergenic body wash; it uses lower-irritancy surfactants than many mass-market alternatives, which reduces skin sensitization risk. Compared to fragrance-free or minimal-ingredient competitors (e.g., CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash), it carries inherent fragrance allergen exposure from undisclosed aromatic mixtures. Compared to products with known preservative or colorant hazards, this formulation avoids documented red-flag ingredients, placing it in the mid-to-lower hazard range for the category.
If you buy it
Store at room temperature away from heat or freezing, as extreme temperatures can degrade glycerin-based formulations and affect viscosity. Use as directed for external washing; do not ingest. If any skin irritation or sensitization occurs, discontinue use and consult a dermatologist. No special maintenance is required; the product does not require dilution or filtering and is not intended for prolonged storage beyond the manufacturer's expiration date printed on the package.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Cetaphil 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.