Does soap contain harmful chemicals?

Share on Pinterest

Not all soaps contain potentially harmful chemicals. Vegetable-based soaps, such as castile soap, may not contain harmful chemicals and have a low hazard score on the Environmental Working Group (EWG) Skin Deep database.

Natural soaps usually contain oils and fats from plants or animals as the main ingredients, without additional components such as preservatives, parabens, or binders.

People can look for soaps with short ingredient lists and those that do not contain:

• fragrances
• preservatives
• skin irritants
• chemicals that may affect health

Choosing a soap that does not lather may also be less irritating to skin conditions such as eczema.

Learn about making homemade soap.

Certain chemicals in soap may irritate the skin or cause allergic reactions such as contact dermatitis. This may include fragrances such as:

• linalool
• limonene hydroperoxides
• hydroxyisohexyl 3-cyclohexene carboxaldehyde
• treemoss absolute
• oakmoss absolute
• isoeugenol
• cinnamyl alcohol
• cinnamal

In some people, fragrances may cause reactions such as hives or photosensitivity, which is sensitivity to light.

The following sections discuss potentially harmful chemicals found in some soaps.

Formaldehyde

The EWG lists formaldehyde on its toxic chemical list. The following terms for formaldehyde may also appear in ingredient lists:

• paraformaldehyde
• methylene glycol
• quaternium 15, which releases formaldehyde

Formaldehyde is a carcinogen, which may cause some types of cancer, although people may have an increased risk if they have high exposure to the chemical at industrial levels.

Triclosan

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), many antibacterial soaps contain triclosan. The effects of triclosan on human health are unclear, but animal studies suggest the chemical may harm hormonal health.

Triclosan may also affect how bacteria respond to antibiotics, possibly increasing the risk of antibiotic resistance.

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS)

SLS is a surfactant that can help cleaning products such as soap to foam and join ingredients together. According to the EWG, SLS may irritate a person’s skin.

According to the American Chemistry Council, SLS is not corrosive to the skin and is safe for use. No scientific evidence suggests SLS causes hair loss or is a carcinogen.

Dioxane

According to the FDA, 1,4-dioxane may be a trace chemical in some cosmetic products containing ingredients listed as:

• PEG
• polyethylene
• polyethylene glycol
• polyoxyethylene

1,4-dioxane is a potential carcinogen to humans, although this requires further research.

Diethanolamine (DEA)

DEA may be present in cosmetic ingredients such as soap to help the product foam and lather up or to adjust the pH level of the soap.

According to the FDA, an older study from the National Toxicity Program suggests residual levels of DEA may be carcinogenic. Still, it found no evidence linking DEA to cancer in humans.

The FDA does not believe there is a significant risk to humans due to DEA use in cosmetics.

The initials DEA may appear in an ingredients list, such as cocamide DEA, or as other ingredients which may contain DEA, such as:

• linoleamide MEA
• stearamide MEA
• TEA-lauryl sulfate
• triethanolamine

Phthalates

Phthalates may cause hormone disruption and reproductive issues.

Phthalates may appear in an ingredients list simply as “fragrance” rather than as individual chemicals, such as dibutyl phthalate and diethylhexyl phthalate.

Dibutyl phthalate may damage the male reproductive system during development. Diethylhexyl phthalate may harm the reproductive system and a developing fetus and may be a potential carcinogen.

For washing, people may want to use water or make a homemade body scrub with simple ingredients, such as honey, coffee grounds, or oatmeal.

Soaps labeled “antibacterial” may contain more chemicals than regular soap for handwashing.

The FDA advises that people do not need antibacterial soap for handwashing. Using plain soap and warm water is sufficient to help prevent germs and illness.

Read about the best soaps for eczema.

Some soaps may contain chemicals that can affect health or cause skin irritation.

People can look for short ingredient lists on soaps to minimize exposure to damaging chemicals. People may choose a certified organic or natural soap containing plant or animal ingredients without fragrances, preservatives, or additives.