Kiehl's Original Musk Bath & Shower Liquid Body Cleanser
Lower PFAS concern for a rinse-off liquid cleanser lacking coating or treatment triggers.
This simple aqueous rinse-off product has no known coating, water repellency, or grease-resistance treatment requiring PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous body wash liquid
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Kiehl's Original Musk Bath Body Cleanser is made of, ingredients and materials
Kiehl's Original Musk is an aqueous liquid body cleanser, meaning water is the primary ingredient with surfactants, preservatives, fragrance compounds, and a synthetic musk note as the functional base. Because it's a rinse-off product (not left on skin long-term), skin absorption of most ingredients is minimal. The formulation is typical for mass-market body washes, no coating, treatment, or water-resistance claim that would trigger PFAS use, and no solids or abrasives that introduce contamination risk.
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.
Synthetic fragrance allergens and sensitization
Original Musk is formulated for its fragrance; synthetic musks and other odorant compounds are known contact sensitizers in some individuals. Risk is low for most users but higher in those with fragrance sensitivity or eczema.
Bacterial contamination or growth post-purchase
As an aqueous liquid stored in a bathroom, risk of mold or bacterial growth exists if bottle cap is left loose, bottle is diluted with water, or product is kept in a persistently hot and humid environment. Risk is manageable with standard storage practices.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
1,4-dioxane (preservative byproduct)
No public testing or reports of elevated 1,4-dioxane in this specific product. If present, it would be a trace contaminant from certain surfactants or ethoxylated preservatives, typical of rinse-off cosmetics at levels below regulatory concern.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No documented formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are listed in published ingredient information for this product. Standard cosmetic preservatives used (if DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea are present) would release negligible formaldehyde in a rinse-off liquid.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
This is a clear or translucent liquid with minimal or no added color; dermal exposure to metal contaminants from colorants is not a documented concern for this product class.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Kiehl's is owned by L'Oréal and publishes ingredient lists and Safety Data Sheets for most products; however, the brand has not published a specific PFAS avoidance statement or third-party testing certificate for this cleanser. No recalls or major safety controversies are on record for Original Musk. The brand operates under FDA cosmetic rules and does not claim dermatologist testing or hypoallergenic status, which is transparent given the product's fragrance-forward positioning.
How it compares in its category
This is a fragrance-heavy, premium-positioned liquid body wash in a mature market saturated with similar formulations. Compared to unscented or hypoallergenic alternatives, it carries higher fragrance allergen and sensitization risk due to synthetic musk and other odorants. It is broadly comparable to other mass-market fragranced body washes from brands like Dove, Cetaphil, and CeraVe in chemical hazard profile, though it does not advertise sensitivity-focused claims.
If you buy it
Use as directed, apply to wet skin, lather, rinse thoroughly. Store in a cool, dry place to prevent bacterial growth in the bottle; if left in a hot bathroom for months or diluted with standing water, microbes can proliferate. Do not ingest. If fragrance irritation occurs (rash, itch, redness), discontinue and patch-test with an unscented cleanser. The product does not require special handling or replacement beyond normal cosmetic shelf life (typically 12-24 months after opening).
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.