Nivea Men Deep Active Clean Charcoal Body Wash
Lower concern. Rinse-off body wash with no known PFAS triggers.
Body wash formulations typically contain no PFAS; Nivea does not disclose PFAS concerns for this product. No public lab testing or red flags found.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
aqueous gel with charcoal, surfactants, glycerin
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Nivea Men Deep Active Clean Charcoal Body is made of, ingredients and materials
This is an aqueous gel formulation combining water, surfactants (cleaning agents), glycerin (humectant), and activated charcoal (abrasive/absorptive additive). Charcoal itself is inert and does not leach or degrade chemically; the risk profile depends on the surfactant mix and any preservatives or colorants added. Because this is a rinse-off product applied briefly to skin then washed away, exposure duration and absorption potential are far lower than leave-on cosmetics like moisturizers or foundations.
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 irritants
Body washes almost always contain fragrance mixtures (often undisclosed on the label as 'fragrance' or 'parfum'). Fragrance is a common contact allergen and irritant, especially on sensitive or damaged skin; specific allergens in this formulation are not publicly disclosed by the brand.
Surfactant-related skin irritation
The surfactants that clean skin can also strip natural oils and cause irritation, dryness, or dermatitis in sensitive individuals or with repeated use. This is a general category risk for all cleansing products, not specific to Nivea, but occurs even with 'gentle' formulas.
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 (manufacturing contaminant)
1,4-dioxane is a common trace contaminant in surfactant-based cosmetics during manufacturing, not intentionally added. No public testing data exists for this product; risk is present in most commercial body washes but typically at low levels in rinse-off products.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No evidence that Nivea Men body wash contains formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (such as DMDM hydantoin or imidazolidinyl urea). These are increasingly avoided in mainstream brands, but ingredient lists should be checked on the packaging to confirm.
Source, ATSDR ↗Heavy metals
No recalls or public reports of lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals in this body wash. Charcoal itself is unlikely to contain significant contamination if sourced from standard industrial suppliers; no independent testing of this product is on record.
Source, FDA ↗The full breakdown
The brand's record and disclosure
Nivea (Beiersdorf) has no widely documented recalls or safety controversies specific to this body wash line. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient transparency reports or third-party certifications (such as EWG Verified or Dermatest) for most products. No independent testing of this formulation for heavy metals, formaldehyde releasers, or 1,4-dioxane contamination appears in the public record, which reflects the routine absence of such data for mass-market body washes rather than proof of absence.
How it compares in its category
Mass-market body washes (Dove, Dial, Suave, Nivea) share similar surfactant-based formulations and are not generally subject to stricter regulations than premium or 'natural' alternatives. Charcoal-infused variants have grown popular but offer no established safety or efficacy advantage over standard formulas. Products marketed as dermatologist-recommended or hypoallergenic often undergo more rigorous testing; this product's positioning is mainstream rather than clinical-grade.
If you buy it
Body wash requires no special storage; keep the bottle sealed when not in use to prevent bacterial growth or mold in the dispenser. Discontinue use if irritation, rash, or allergic reaction appears; reactions are typically to fragrance or preservatives, not charcoal itself. Replace when empty; no maintenance or monitoring is needed. For sensitive or compromised skin, perform a small-area test first, as any surfactant can cause irritation in some individuals.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Nivea 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.