Non Toxic Body Wash + 10 Mainstream Toxic Brands to Avoid

Last Updated on January 6, 2026 by NonToxicSwaps

Body washes are designed to look and smell refreshing. But the ingredients used to do this are often toxic such as cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance, phenoxyethanol, 1,4-dioxane, petroleum derivatives, SLS and SLES.

If we cover our bodies in these ingredients every time we shower we are constantly absorbing them into the skin. These ingredients at the least can cause irritation and skin flare ups or can be as bad as being carcinogenic to the body.

Unfortunately, many conventional body washes are loaded with these ingredients. I’ve combed through the ingredient lists of dozens of body washes and found ones that are clean and void of toxic ingredients.

Ingredients to Avoid in Body Wash

Parabens: preservatives linked to endocrine disruption (PMID: 29596967), known to be carcinogenic due to endocrine disruption (PMID: 36746253) Parabens may be listed as methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, isobutylparaben, isopropylparaben, and benzylparaben.
Ethoxylated ingredients (PEGs, PPGs, polysorbates, ceteareth, phenoxyethanol): ethoxylation process produces ethylene oxide, a carcinogen and developmental toxin (PubChem CID: 6354) and 1,4-dioxane, a suspected carcinogen (PubChem CID: 31275)
Fragrance/Parfum: umbrella term including hundreds of toxins, including hormone disrupting phthalates, as well as skin irritants and allergens. Chemicals that are hidden behind this term can be carcinogenic, respiratory irritants, endocrine disruptors, reproductive toxins, neurotoxins, and more (PMID: 35669814)
Phenoxyethanol: deemed generally safe at a 1% concentration, however it’s production process, ethoxylation, can potentially contaminate phenoxyethanol with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide (see above for ethoxylated ingredient description) (PubChem CID: 31236)
Polyquaterniums: (aka “quats”) group of polymers that may release formaldehyde and produce nitrosamines, both of which are known carcinogens (PubChem CID: 6433396)
Dyes: can be carcinogenic, genotoxic and offer no benefit to the product other than color (example: Red 40, Blue 1, Yellow 5) (PMID: 23026007)

The 10 Mainstream Body Washes To Avoid and Why

Olay Ultra Moisture Hydratant Body Wash – contains Petrolatum, Sodium Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance,Sodium Benzoate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Yellow 5, Red 33
NIVEA Nourishing Care Body Wash – contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Polyquaternium-10, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Trisodium EDTA, BHT
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash – Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance (Parfum),Phenoxyethanol, BHT
Native Body Wash – contains Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance, Sodium Benzoate
Method Body Wash – contains Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash – Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Polyquaternium-10, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance
Dr Teal’s Body Wash – contains Sodium laureth sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine, parfum/fragrance, PEG-4 Rapeseedamide, Polyquaternium-7, sodium benzoate, methylchloroisothiazolinone, sodium hydroxyde, methylisothiazolinone, PEG/PPG-18/18 Dimethicone, PEG/PPG-15/15 Allyl ether acetate, potassium sorbate
Neutrogena Rainbath Refreshing Shower & Bath Gel – contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance, Polysorbate 20, PEG-80 Sorbitan Laurate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Propylene Glycol, Yellow 5, Red 40, Blue 1
Dial Body Wash – contain Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, PEG-8, Fragrance, Glycerin, Polyquaternium-7, Propylene Glycol, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, PEG-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Benzoate
Suave Essentials Gentle Body Wash – contains Cocamidopropyl betaine, fragrance (perfume), sodium benzoate, PPG-9, Blue 1, Red 33