Kiehl's Bath Shower Liquid Body Cleanser
Lower concern for a simple liquid cleanser with no obvious PFAS triggers.
This water-based liquid cleanser lacks nonstick, waterproofing, or stain-resistance coatings that would introduce PFAS. Kiehl's does not claim PFAS-free status.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous liquid cleanser (surfactants, water, glycerin)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Kiehl's Bath Shower Liquid Body Cleanser is made of, ingredients and materials
Kiehl's Bath Shower Liquid Body Cleanser is an aqueous surfactant blend typical of mainstream body washes, water, anionic detergents (sodium lauryl sulfate or sulfate-free alternatives depending on formulation), glycerin as a humectant, and preservatives. Liquid cleansers pose lower chemical hazard than bar soaps or gels because they avoid binders, colorants, and high-heat processing that can concentrate contaminants. The main concern in this category is preservative choice and fragrance composition rather than the base matrix.
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 undisclosed aroma compounds
Kiehl's formulations typically include fragrance (parfum) listed as a single ingredient without breakdown of constituent chemicals. Common fragrance components (limonene, eugenol, cinnamyl alcohol) can trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory sensitivity in susceptible users; the brand does not disclose whether allerenic compounds are present or at what concentration.
Parabens
Without access to the full current formulation, the specific preservative system is not confirmed; if parabens are used, some users report sensitivity to them. Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are less common in premium brands but not ruled out and carry documented contact allergen risk if present.
Source, FDA ↗1,4-dioxane as a synthetic byproduct in ethoxylated surfactants
Ethoxylated surfactants (e.g., sodium laureth sulfate or cetyl/ceteareth compounds) may be contaminated with trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Kiehl's does not disclose whether their suppliers use vacuum stripping to remove it; this is a category-wide issue not specific to this brand.
Bacterial or mold growth in pump dispenser
Liquid body cleansers in pump bottles can harbor biofilm or mold if water accumulates in the pump mechanism or bottle neck. This is a user maintenance issue rather than a product formulation hazard, but warrants periodic cleaning of the dispenser.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Liquid body cleansers typically avoid insoluble pigments; Kiehl's does not use visibly colored formulations in most body wash lines, reducing the likelihood of cadmium, lead, or chromium contamination from synthetic dyes. No recalls or contamination reports are on record.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kiehl's (owned by L'Oreal) does not publicly disclose PFAS use, ingredient sourcing audits, or independent certifications for heavy metals or allergens in their body cleansers. The brand has no known recalls for this product line and is not flagged in FDA safety databases for contamination. However, the parent company L'Oreal has faced criticism for limited transparency on PFAS "forever chemicals" across its portfolio, though Kiehl's body wash is not identified as a specific concern.
How it compares in its category
Kiehl's positions itself in the premium segment, typically formulated without sulfates or with mild sulfate-free systems. This is broadly comparable to other prestige body cleansers (Cetaphil, CeraVe, Dove Premium) which also avoid aggressive surfactants and heavy colorants. Mass-market alternatives often include more fragrance load and synthetic dyes, which carry marginally higher heavy metal and allergen risk; Kiehl's formulation is generally more conservative by brand positioning.
If you buy it
Use as directed, no special storage precautions beyond keeping the bottle sealed to prevent bacterial contamination in the pump or squeeze mechanism. Liquid body cleansers are low-risk for skin irritation if rinsed thoroughly; discontinue if a rash develops and patch-test if you have fragrance sensitivity. Replace bottles every 6-12 months depending on use frequency to avoid mold growth in the dispenser. No heating, open-flame exposure, or inhalation risk typical of solid bar products.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Kiehl's 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.