Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash
Lower concern; no known PFAS-prone use or reported issues.
Body wash is a rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no inherent PFAS triggers like water repellency or stain resistance. Neutrogena has not disclosed PFAS practices, but the product category poses minimal concern.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous surfactant cleansing base
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash is made of, ingredients and materials
Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash is a liquid cleansing formulation built on synthetic surfactants (cleaning agents) suspended in water, with preservatives, fragrance, and humectants. Body washes in this class do not use ceramic, enamel, or resin coatings that can degrade, and the aqueous base means no volatile organic compounds are released during normal use. The formulation is designed for rinse-off use, limiting skin contact time and exposure window compared to leave-on cosmetics.
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 marketed for acne or "clear" skin typically contain fragrance blends; undisclosed fragrance components may trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory sensitivity in susceptible users. No specific allergen incidents are on record for this product, but the fragrance system is proprietary and not itemized on labels.
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing byproduct)
Synthetic surfactant systems used in mass-market body washes may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct, though levels are typically below 30 ppm (FDA guidance for rinse-off products is nonbinding). Neutrogena does not publicly report testing or removal steps for this contaminant.
Skin irritation from active ingredients (salicylic acid if present)
Body Clear formulations are marketed as acne-fighting, suggesting salicylic acid content; this is a known irritant for sensitive skin and can cause dryness, peeling, or burning. Risk is mitigated by rinse-off use and user control over exposure frequency, but is a recognized hazard class for this product type.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Neutrogena Body Clear is not documented to use formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (such as DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea) in available ingredient disclosures. Modern broad-spectrum aqueous formulas typically use parabens or alternative preservative blends, which do not release formaldehyde.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
Body washes in this market segment use FDA-approved colorants (typically synthetic dyes) that are regulated for lead and cadmium content. No contamination incidents or recalls citing heavy metals are on record for Neutrogena body wash products.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Neutrogena (Johnson & Johnson subsidiary) does not publicly disclose full ingredient sourcing or third-party certifications for this product line. The brand has faced scrutiny over sunscreen formulations and has issued recalls for unrelated products (e.g., spray sunscreen benzene contamination in 2021), but no recalls or safety actions are on record specifically for Body Clear Body Wash. Ingredient lists are available on product labels and the company website, meeting U.S. labeling requirements, though proprietary fragrance blends are not itemized.
How it compares in its category
Body washes as a category carry lower inherent risk than leave-on creams or powders because rinsing removes residue within seconds. Neutrogena Body Clear is positioned as an acne-targeted cleanser (likely containing salicylic acid) rather than a premium or natural alternative; mass-market body washes typically rely on synthetic surfactants and fragrance systems. Compared to bar soaps or fragrance-free clinical washes, this product prioritizes aesthetics (color, scent, lather) over minimalist ingredient counts, placing it in the middle of the market risk spectrum.
If you buy it
Use as directed on damp skin, then rinse thoroughly with water within 30 seconds to 1 minute; do not leave on skin. Store at room temperature away from direct heat or sunlight to prevent degradation of fragrance and preservatives. If skin irritation, rash, or stinging occurs, discontinue and rinse. The product does not require special maintenance; replace when empty or if separation, discoloration, or odor changes occur (signs of preservative breakdown, typically 12-24 months post-opening).
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Neutrogena has made a specific claim
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.