Glycolic + Lactic Acid Body Wash
Low PFAS risk; typical acid cleanser without PFAS-prone ingredients.
Body wash with alpha-hydroxy acids poses minimal PFAS concern. No surface treatments, coatings, waterproofing, or fluorinated compounds typical of the product category.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous body wash with glycolic and lactic acids
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Glycolic + Lactic Acid Body Wash is made of, ingredients and materials
Medix 5.5 is an aqueous body wash formulated with glycolic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid) and lactic acid (an alpha hydroxy acid), both exfoliating ingredients that work by dissolving dead skin cells. The base is water with surfactants, humectants, and preservatives typical of drugstore cleansers. These acids are chemically mild relative to professional-strength peels and are widely used in over-the-counter skincare without prior regulatory warnings for systemic toxicity at rinse-off concentrations.
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.
1,4-dioxane (secondary contamination)
Aqueous cosmetics containing certain ethoxylated surfactants can carry trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Medix 5.5 ingredient list does not disclose surfactant type; independent lab data on this product is not on record, so residual 1,4-dioxane presence is unconfirmed but plausible in mass-market formulations.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
The product contains fragrance or fragrance compounds listed generically on the label; specific allergens (limonene, linalool, etc.) are not itemized. Sensitive individuals or those with contact dermatitis may react; patch testing is advisable before full-body use.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Typical drugstore body washes use preservative systems such as methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) or parabens; if Medix 5.5 contains formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., imidazolidinyl urea, dmdm hydantoin), contact sensitization is a recognized risk in susceptible users, though incidence is low in rinse-off products.
Source, ATSDR ↗Exfoliating acid concentration appropriateness for sensitive skin
Glycolic and lactic acids at typical body wash concentrations (often 2-10% in consumer products) are generally well-tolerated but can cause transient stinging, redness, and photosensitivity, especially in fair or compromised skin. No product-specific adverse event data is published, but this is a known class effect of hydroxy acid cleansers.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Talc contamination in mineral-based formulations
No talc is listed in the Medix 5.5 ingredient declaration, and aqueous body washes do not typically contain talc. This hazard is not applicable to this product.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Medix is a mass-market skincare brand with no published third-party certifications (cruelty-free, hypoallergenic claims are unverified by external bodies) and does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing or manufacturing standards. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific product line. The brand does not voluntarily communicate PFAS avoidance or advanced safety testing beyond regulatory minimum.
How it compares in its category
Glycolic and lactic acid body washes are mainstream drugstore products; this formulation is typical in potency and ingredient list relative to CeraVe, Cetaphil, and Eucerin offerings in the same price tier. It does not carry dermatologist-prescribed-only restrictions and is marketed as daily-use, positioning it as gentler than salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide acne products. No specific compositional advantage or disadvantage versus mass-market peers is established.
If you buy it
Use on damp skin, rinse thoroughly with water, and follow with moisturizer because exfoliating acids can increase sensitivity and dryness. Do not exceed once daily use unless directed by a dermatologist. Store below 25°C (room temperature) away from direct sunlight to preserve acid efficacy and stabilizer function. Discontinue and patch-test first if you have active open wounds, severe eczema, or are using prescription retinoids, as combination exfoliation can trigger irritation.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 82% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Medix 5.5 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.