Eucerin pH5 Wash Gel 400ml
Lower concern. Rinse-off gel with no known PFAS triggers.
Eucerin pH5 Wash Gel is a water and glycerin based rinse-off cleanser with no waterproofing, stain resistance, or non-stick coating. No public PFAS concerns identified for this product category.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Aqueous gel formulation, typically glycerin and water base
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance constituents
The product contains 'parfum' listed on the label, which can mask multiple allergens (limonene, linalool, etc.). For consumers with fragrance sensitivity or contact dermatitis history, the specific fragrance components are not itemized, so patch testing is recommended.
1,4-dioxane as a process contaminant
Eucerin uses surfactants and emulsifiers (polyethylene glycol derivatives or ethoxylated compounds are common in gentle gels) that can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing. The brand does not publicly disclose whether it tests finished products for this contaminant, which is a gap in transparency but not an active reported problem in Eucerin products.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Eucerin pH5 formulations typically use methylchloroisothiazolinone or phenoxyethanol as preservatives, neither of which are formaldehyde releasers. No formaldehyde or releaser compounds are listed in the published ingredient deck.
Source: ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
pH5 Wash Gel is colorless to pale yellow and contains no declared colorants or pigments. No iron oxides, titanium dioxide, or chromium-based opacifiers are typical in this product class, so metal contamination risk is minimal.
Source: FDA ↗Talc contamination
This is a rinse-off liquid gel with no talc, mica, or powder components listed. Talc-related risk applies only to talc-based powders and is not present in aqueous wash formulations.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Eucerin pH5 Wash Gel is an aqueous gel formulation built on glycerin and water, designed as a gentle cleanser for sensitive skin. The base chemistry is inherently low-risk because it rinses completely from skin and contains no heating step, emulsifiers, or heavy preservation loads that typically trigger concern in leave-on cosmetics. Glycerin is a humectant with no established toxicity at consumer exposure levels, and water-based gels have minimal potential for dermal penetration of problem compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
Eucerin (Beiersdorf subsidiary) maintains transparent ingredient labeling and publishes full formulation data on product pages, which is standard practice for dermatological brands. The company has no recorded recalls or regulatory warnings specific to this product line and no substantiated allegations of hidden fragrance allergens or undisclosed preservatives. Eucerin's products are often recommended by dermatologists and carry third-party dermatological testing claims, though formal certifications (like COSMOS or Ecocert) are not typically present in this price tier.
How it compares in its category
Body wash gels in the sensitive-skin segment typically carry similar water-glycerin profiles; Eucerin's pH5 formulation is mid-range for safety. Generic body washes more often contain fragrance allergen loads and sulfate surfactants; premium alternatives may offer higher natural-origin percentages but do not materially reduce hazard exposure for rinse-off products. At 400 ml, the concentration and duration of contact are typical and not a differentiator for risk.
If you buy it
Use as directed on the label; no special storage precautions are needed beyond keeping the cap closed and avoiding freezing. Because it rinses completely, residual exposure risk is negligible, and no maintenance or replacement trigger exists beyond normal product consumption. Discontinue use only if skin irritation develops, which is rare with this formulation; patch test on forearm if you have severe dermatitis or known fragrance sensitivity.
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
- Eucerin 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.