MEDIX 5.5 Glycolic Acid + Lactic Acid Body Wash for Clean Skin, 15 fl oz
Lower concern for PFAS risk; liquid body wash product category unlikely to contain forever chemicals.
Body washes are liquid cosmetics with minimal PFAS risk history. No waterproofing, stain-resistance, or nonstick coatings typical in products linked to PFAS contamination.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water-based liquid cleanser with glycolic and lactic acids
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What MEDIX 5.5 Glycolic Acid + Lactic Acid fl is made of, ingredients and materials
MEDIX 5.5 is a liquid body wash formulated with glycolic acid (an alpha-hydroxy acid) and lactic acid (a beta-hydroxy acid) as active exfoliating ingredients suspended in an aqueous base. These acids work by chemically dissolving dead skin cells and are widely used in cosmetic formulations. The liquid format and water base mean no heat-processing risk to the consumer during use, and the product does not involve ceramic, enamel, or polymer coatings that degrade over time.
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 sensitizers
Body washes typically contain fragrance compounds; ingredient list opacity prevents identification of specific fragrance allergens. No recalls or complaints specific to MEDIX 5.5 fragrance are on public record, but fragrance-sensitive individuals should request full ingredient disclosure or patch-test first.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Product ingredient transparency is limited; some cosmetic preservatives (e.g., quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin) release small amounts of formaldehyde over time. No preservative system is disclosed for MEDIX 5.5, and no complaints of formaldehyde-related reactions are documented, but full ingredient review would clarify this risk.
Source, ATSDR ↗Skin irritation and chemical burns from acid concentration
Glycolic and lactic acid body washes carry known risk of stinging, redness, or burning if left on skin too long or if user has sensitive skin. This is a predictable pharmacological effect, not a contamination hazard; proper rinsing and patch-testing mitigate risk. No unusual injury reports specific to MEDIX 5.5 are on record.
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 (process contaminant)
No reported detection or contamination of 1,4-dioxane in MEDIX 5.5 or related product lines. Liquid body washes can harbor trace 1,4-dioxane if ethoxylated surfactants are used without vacuum stripping; ingredient information for this product does not indicate such surfactants, and no testing evidence exists.
Heavy metals
No reported heavy-metal contamination (lead, cadmium, arsenic) in MEDIX 5.5 or Medix product lines. Liquid cleansers carry lower contamination risk than pigmented cosmetics (eyeshadow, foundation), and no regulatory action against this product is on record.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Medix maintains limited public disclosure on ingredient sourcing, testing standards, or certifications; no major safety recalls or controversies involving this product line are on record. The brand does not publicly communicate a PFAS avoidance stance, though the product category (liquid cleanser) carries lower inherent PFAS risk. No third-party certifications (e.g., EWG verification, cruelty-free seals) are noted for this specific formulation.
How it compares in its category
Chemical exfoliating body washes are common; this product sits in the mid-market segment with a dual-acid formulation. Similar offerings from larger brands (CeraVe, Cetaphil) carry comparable hazard profiles and ingredient transparency levels. Glycolic and lactic acid cleansers are well-established and do not carry elevated concern relative to mechanical exfoliants or other liquid body washes.
If you buy it
Apply to damp skin in small amounts and rinse thoroughly; avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Because glycolic and lactic acids lower skin pH temporarily, do not combine with other strong exfoliants or vitamin C products on the same day. Store in a cool, dry location away from direct sunlight to maintain product stability; discard if separation, odor change, or visible discoloration occurs. Perform a patch test on a small area of skin first, as acid exfoliants can cause irritation or sensitivity in some individuals.
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
- Medix 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.