Dial Antibacterial Body Wash with Moisturizers
Lower concern for liquid body wash posing minimal inherent PFAS risk.
This rinse-off liquid cosmetic has no known surfactants, coatings, or water-resistant treatments typically requiring PFAS. Dial does not disclose PFAS testing or policy.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous liquid cleansing base with glycerin, surfactants, fragrance
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Dial's formulations typically include undisclosed fragrance blends; while rinse-off duration minimizes risk, sensitive individuals or those with dermatitis may experience contact dermatitis or respiratory irritation from airborne fragrance compounds during application.
Synthetic musks and bioaccumulative fragrance compounds
Mass-market body washes often use synthetic musk compounds (galaxolide, AHTN) in fragrance blends; these are lipophilic and persist in human tissue and aquatic environments, though rinse-off product exposure is transient.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No public documentation or recalls indicate formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (IMIDAZOLIDINYL UREA, DMDM HYDANTOIN) in current Dial body wash formulations, but ingredient lists are not always fully disclosed on packaging.
Source: ATSDR ↗Microplastic contamination
Dial's liquid formulation does not contain intentional microbeads; reformulation away from microplastics was industry-wide by 2019 in the US and Europe.
Heavy metals
No recalls or regulatory actions document heavy metal contamination in Dial antibacterial body wash; industry standards and FDA oversight minimize this risk for mainstream brands.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Dial's antibacterial body wash is an aqueous liquid formulation built on surfactants (cleansing agents), glycerin (humectant/moisturizer), and fragrance compounds. Because this product is designed to be applied briefly to skin and immediately rinsed away with water, exposure duration and dermal absorption are both very short. The aqueous base and rinse-off nature mean volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and skin-penetrating actives pose negligible risk compared to leave-on products like lotions or deodorants.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dial (owned by Henkel) has faced no major public safety recalls or regulatory actions specific to this body wash product line. The brand does not publicly highlight ingredient safety commitments, certifications (such as EWG verification or dermatologist endorsement statements), or formal third-party testing. Dial's silence on ingredient sourcing and safety standards is typical for mass-market body wash but falls short of transparency leaders like Seventh Generation or Aveeno's disclosed formulation practices.
How it compares in its category
Mass-market antibacterial body washes (Dial, Irish Spring, Dial Gold) share similar hazard profiles as rinse-off products and occupy the middle ground between ultra-minimalist soaps and premium, heavily fragrance-loaded alternatives. Dial's inclusion of glycerin and moisturizers reduces drying compared to plain soap, but offers no performance advantage over unscented or fragrance-light competitors. No credible evidence supports superior antimicrobial claims for over-the-counter antibacterial body wash versus plain soap and water for general hygiene.
If you buy it
Store the bottle in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent fragrance degradation and preserve stability. Use as directed: apply small amounts, lather, and rinse thoroughly within seconds. Discontinue use if you experience unexplained skin irritation or allergic reaction (rare with rinse-off products but possible with fragrance or preservative sensitivity). No special maintenance is needed; standard use poses no cumulative health risk.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Dial 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.