Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash Refreshing
Lower concern. Liquid body wash rarely contains PFAS.
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash is a rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no known PFAS risk factors. Brand makes no PFAS disclosure, typical for this category.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous liquid cleanser, surfactants, humectants
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Cetaphil Ultra Gentle Body Wash Refreshing is made of, ingredients and materials
Cetaphil Ultra Gentle is an aqueous liquid cleanser formulated with mild surfactants, humectants (likely glycerin or panthenol), and preservatives. The liquid format eliminates solid-state contaminants like talc and reduces skin exposure to concentrated irritants. No known ceramic glaze, metallic, or volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing risks apply to liquid cleansers, making material chemistry lower-hazard than solid bar or powder alternatives.
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 sensitizing compounds
Body washes labeled 'refreshing' typically contain fragrance components; Cetaphil does not publicly list specific allergens on product labels. Individual sensitivity to fragrance or preservatives (e.g., citral, limonene, or methylisothiazolinone) is possible, particularly in those with atopic dermatitis or contact sensitivity.
Preservative-related contact dermatitis
Liquid cleansers require preservatives to prevent bacterial and fungal growth; common preservatives in this category (including parabens or isothiazolinones) are known skin sensitizers in a small subset of users. Cetaphil does not disclose its specific preservative system on publicly available product information.
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing byproduct in surfactants)
Liquid surfactant-based cleansers may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as an unintended manufacturing byproduct of ethoxylated surfactants. No specific test results for this product are on record; industry-standard purging reduces but may not eliminate residues below detection limits.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Liquid aqueous formulations do not require formaldehyde-based preservatives if other systems (e.g., phenoxyethanol or isothiazolinones) are used. No established reports link Cetaphil Ultra Gentle to formaldehyde release, though full ingredient transparency is limited.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Body wash cleansers are colorless or lightly tinted and do not rely on heavy-metal-based pigments. Risk of lead, cadmium, or antimony contamination is not a known concern for this product category.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Cetaphil is owned by Galderma and marketed specifically to dermatologists and sensitive-skin consumers; the product line carries no major safety recalls on FDA or Health Canada records as of public information cutoff. The brand does not prominently disclose fragrance allergen lists or preservative safety testing in consumer-facing literature, which is typical for the category but limits transparency. No known settlements or regulatory actions target this specific product.
How it compares in its category
Body washes vary widely in surfactant strength and additive load. Cetaphil Ultra Gentle positions itself as low-irritant and fragrance-controlled, which aligns with lower reported adverse event frequency compared to heavily fragranced or sulfate-heavy alternatives. Independent testing by third parties is not standard for this category; reliance on brand reputation and dermatologic endorsement is common among consumers and clinicians.
If you buy it
Use as directed on skin; no heating or storage above room temperature is required. Liquid cleansers do not degrade into hazardous fumes with normal use. Check the ingredient list or contact the brand directly if you have known allergies to fragrance components, preservatives (e.g., methylisothiazolinone), or surfactants. Store in a cool, dry place and discard if separation, odor change, or visible contamination occurs; typical shelf life is 24-36 months.
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
- 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.