Dial Refresh & Renew Body Wash Spring Water 16 fl.. oz. 4 pk.
Lower PFAS concern for a basic liquid body wash without surface treatments.
This standard aqueous body wash has no confirmed PFAS-prone ingredients like Teflon-family coating, water repellency coatings, or stain resistance treatments. No lab data is available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous liquid body wash (water, cleansers, humectants)
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 contact dermatitis
Dial Refresh & Renew is marketed as a fragrance product ('Spring Water' scent); undisclosed fragrance components may trigger allergic contact dermatitis or irritation in sensitive populations. Industry practice does not require full fragrance disclosure, so specific allergens (e.g., limonene, linalool) are not publicly available for this SKU.
1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant)
Synthetic surfactants used in mainstream body washes may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct, particularly in ethoxylated ingredients. No specific testing of this Dial product has been published; regulatory limits in the US allow up to 10 ppm. Risk is low but cannot be ruled out without independent lab data.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Mainstream body washes may use formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) to prevent microbial growth. No specific preservative system is disclosed by Dial for this SKU; industry standard practice does not identify these as major risks at typical concentrations, but sensitive individuals may experience irritation.
Source: ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Microplastics
No polyethylene microbeads, synthetic polymers, or visible exfoliants are listed or implied in Dial Refresh & Renew's typical formula. Liquid body washes without 'scrub' or 'exfoliating' claims generally do not contain intentional microplastics, though some brands have used microplastic alternatives (polyquaternium); not documented for this product.
Source: EPA ↗Heavy metals
Dial does not disclose use of synthetic dyes (azo or otherwise) in published ingredient lists for this product. Liquid body washes typically rely on dissolved colorants rather than pigment additives; risk of lead or cadmium contamination is lower than in powdered cosmetics or colored bar soaps.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Dial Refresh & Renew is an aqueous liquid body wash, meaning its base is water plus synthetic surfactants (cleansers), humectants, and fragrance. Liquid body washes have a simpler chemical profile than bar soaps or exfoliating scrubs because they lack binders, abrasives, and coating agents that introduce heavy metals or synthetic polymers. The absence of talc, mineral oils, or particulate fillers reduces several contamination pathways common in powders and solid personal care products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Dial (Henkel subsidiary) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing, microplastic content, or fragrance composition (typical for the mass-market body wash segment). The brand has no major recalls or safety controversies on record for this product line. Dial does not carry third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny) that would signal enhanced transparency, but absence of certification is standard for mainstream drugstore brands.
How it compares in its category
Dial Refresh & Renew is a conventional synthetic body wash with a fragrance-forward profile. It sits in the mid-tier of the category: safer than heavily scented or exfoliating products (which may harbor undisclosed dyes and abrasives) but less transparent than dermatologist-recommended unscented or hypoallergenic brands (CeraVe, Vanicream). No published independent testing of this specific SKU exists to distinguish it from generic body washes.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve fragrance stability and prevent container degradation. Use as directed; the product requires no dilution or special handling. No skin accumulation of residue is expected with standard rinsing. Discontinue use if irritation develops, particularly on sensitive skin or open wounds; fragrance and surfactants can trigger contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% 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.