Toxins in Bar Soap

Alayne
Jul 17, 2025
4 min read

Updated: Dec 21, 2025

Low Bar

Soap equals clean... are we sure about that? Let's look at some of the harmful ingredients in conventional bar soaps.

Earth-tone Bar Soaps Stacked on Wooden Table with Sprigs of Dried Flowers — *Check Your Labels*

In This Post:

Active Ingredients in Popular Bar Soap
Inactive Ingredients in Popular Bar Soap
Additional Bad Actors in Bar Soap
Toxin-free Alternatives

Active Ingredients in Popular Bar Soap Brands

Benzalkonium Chloride

Quaternary ammonium compound (QAC). Used as a preservative and antimicrobial agent in bar soap. Chronic low doses of QACs may cause acute toxicity, lead to antimicrobial resistance, or cause neurotoxicity. Skin/eye/respiratory irritant. Presents a particular concern for those with asthma and eczema. Damaging to DNA. Harmful to aquatic organisms.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine

Synthetic compound derived from reacting coconut oil fatty acids with propylene glycol. Propylene glycol enhances the penetration of other ingredients into the skin, which potentially increases the absorption of other toxins or irritants. Used as a surfactant and foaming agent in bar soap. Can cause eye and skin irritation. May contain impurities from manufacturing.

** Triclosan and Triclocarban

Synthetic antibacterial compounds. Linked to blood, liver, and kidney toxicity. Endocrine/thyroid/gut microbiome/hormone disruptor. Highly toxic to aquatic life. Persistent environmental pollutant which can convert to carcinogenic compounds. Banned by the FDA for use in bar soap in 2016 and 2017, respectively, but can still be found in some personal care products, cosmetics, and pet products.

Inactive Ingredients in Popular Bar Soap Brands

Carbomer

Synthetic polymer. Can be contaminated with benzene, a known carcinogen, during the manufacturing process. May cause mild skin irritation or allergic reaction. Classified as a microplastic, meaning it's not biodegradable and will persist for a very long time. Microplastics themselves are not considered toxic but can affect health due to the chemicals they contain and absorb. Can accumulate in the bodies of marine life impacting reproduction, development, and behavior.

Dyes

Petroleum and coal tar derived carcinogens contaminated with arsenic and lead. The whole list of Blues, Yellows, Reds, Greens, and all of the corresponding numbers… Green 3, Yellow 10, etc.

Ethoxylated Ingredients (e.g., Laureth, Ceteareth, SLES, Polyethylene Glycol)

The ethoxylation process creates 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, known human carcinogens. Ethoxylated ingredients can contain trace amounts of these harmful byproducts.

Fragrance

A general umbrella term which could include toxins like phthalates (known endocrine disruptors), parabens, formaldehyde-releasing agents, aldehydes, styrene (classified carcinogen), linalool, acetone, and more.

PEGs (polyethylene glycols; PEG-8, PEG-32, PEG-45, PEG-400)

Synthetic petroleum-derived compounds. Can become contaminated, during manufacturing, with 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, known carcinogens. Enhance skin penetration which can increase absorption of contaminants.

Polysorbate 20, 60 and 80

Synthetic emulsifiers, stabilizers, and solubilizers. Used in bar soap to enhance lather, texture, and fragrance dispersion. EWG high concern contamination; 1,4-Dioxane and Ethylene Oxide, known carcinogens. Skin/eye/lung irritant.

Tetrasodium EDTA

Made using formaldehyde and sodium cyanide, known carcinogens. May contain dioxane, another carcinogen. May cause organ damage, especially to the lungs. A known skin irritant that may also cause immunotoxicity as well as reproductive and developmental issues. (Tetrasodium etidronate is a close cousin of tetrasodium EDTA.)

Titanium Dioxide

Synthetically produced white pigment. Used as a whitening or color brightening agent in bar soap. Has the capability, especially in the form of nanoparticles, to enter the bloodstream resulting in neurotoxicity, meaning toxic to the central nervous system.

Additional Bad Actors in Bar Soap

Petroleum-based glycerin, GMO oils (vegetable/corn), synthetic detergents and preservatives (can morph skin cells), phthalates, parabens, SLS, alcohols, Laureth-#, Steareth-#, Ceteareth-#, and BHT.

Toxin-free Bar Soap Alternatives

Free of the Toxins and Chemical Compounds Listed Above

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