Fragranced body wash swap to Fragrance-free bar

‘Fragrance’ on a label can legally hide phthalates.

Our pick

Dove Sensitive fragrance-free 8-pk

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Written by Ken · Checked Oct 2026 · Sources below

Why make the swap

Why switch to fragrance-free bar
A fragrance-free bar removes the main hidden source, and there’s no bottle.
What's the concern with fragranced body wash
Fragrance can include diethyl phthalate (DEP), the phthalate most used in scents, and using fragranced products is linked to higher phthalate levels in urine. FDA says it has no safety concerns about DEP as currently used.
General information, not medical advice. Ask your doctor, especially if you’re pregnant, nursing or have a health condition.
Good to know before you buy
‘Unscented’ can include a masking fragrance, so look for ‘fragrance-free’.
Sources (2)
1. Duty et al. 2005: personal care products predict phthalate levels (opens in a new tab)
2. FDA on phthalates in cosmetics (opens in a new tab)
Health and safety facts on this page come from these sources. What a pick is made of comes from its maker's listing or website, as stated on the date we checked.