Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Bath & Shower Gel
Lower concern. Rinse-off cosmetic with no known PFAS drivers.
Bath and shower gel is a rinse-off product containing water, surfactants, and fragrance. No waterproofing, stain resistance, or nonstick coatings typical of PFAS contamination. Brand does not disclose PFAS status.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous gel with botanical extracts, surfactants
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
Aqua Pure
3M Aqua-Pure AP802B Whole House Filter Housing
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product. See all of them.
What Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper Bath is made of, ingredients and materials
Molton Brown Re-Charge Black Pepper is an aqueous gel surfactant base with botanical extracts (black pepper, cardamom, ginger) and fragrance. The primary active ingredients are mild anionic surfactants typical of premium bath gels, diluted in water with humectants and preservatives. Because this is a rinse-off product applied briefly to skin, dermal absorption is minimal, and the water-based formulation limits volatile off-gassing risks common in leave-on products.
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
Black pepper, cardamom, and ginger extracts plus synthetic fragrance compounds can trigger contact sensitization in individuals with fragrance-reactive skin. Prevalence in the general population is low but documented; rinse-off format limits duration of skin contact.
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 as preservative byproduct
No published analysis of this specific product for 1,4-dioxane contamination. Ethoxylated surfactants used in bath gels can be contaminated during synthesis; Molton Brown does not publicly disclose analytical testing or dioxane-free sourcing claims.
Heavy metals
No established recalls or warnings for lead or cadmium in Molton Brown bath gels. Black pepper and ginger extracts are not typical sources of heavy-metal accumulation, and the product contains no apparent colorants requiring metal-based pigments.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
This aqueous rinse-off gel formulation does not require formaldehyde-release preservatives (e.g., dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea); no public data suggests their presence in this line.
Source, ATSDR ↗Microplastics
Gel formulation is not listed as containing polyethylene beads or other microplastic exfoliants. Botanical extracts serve as the textural component; no microplastic risk on available product information.
Source, EPA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Molton Brown publishes ingredient lists and does not carry documented recalls for safety violations in recent years. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS avoidance efforts or third-party certifications (e.g., EWG verification, cruelty-free seals beyond brand claims). No published controversies regarding heavy metals, formaldehyde releasers, or 1,4-dioxane contamination are on record for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Molton Brown is a prestige bath-gel brand with ingredient transparency comparable to other premium lines (e.g., Kiehl's, Cowshed). Most commercial shower gels share similar surfactant bases and fragrance loads; botanical extracts do not meaningfully reduce chemical safety risks or improve them. Price reflects branding and fragrance complexity rather than material safety advantages over mass-market alternatives.
If you buy it
Use as directed, apply to wet skin, lather, and rinse thoroughly with water. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent fragrance degradation and preserve preservative efficacy. No special precautions needed beyond standard cosmetic hygiene (avoid eye contact, discontinue if irritation occurs). Shelf life is typically 12-24 months once opened; discard if product separates, thickens abnormally, or develops odor changes.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Molton Brown 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.