That’s why we are committed to product transparency as part of our ESG journey. Ingredients are on all product labels and listed on bathandbodyworks.com. We encourage customers who have a question about ingredients in our products to contact our Customer Care.
We know our customers love products that are smooth, silky, easy to rinse and leave skin clean. Certain ingredients, like siloxanes and sulfates, help us safely achieve wonderful texture and a clean feeling. In addition, preservatives are essential to preventing harmful bacteria, yeasts and molds from growing.
Bath & Body Works does not use formaldehyde as an ingredient; however, our personal care products may contain low levels of formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. These formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are commonly used in personal care products to prevent microorganisms and bacterial growth. While formaldehyde-releasing preservatives are safe, we understand that some people prefer products without these ingredients.
The easiest way to identify formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in our products is to look for names such as DMDM Hydantoin and Diazolidinyl Urea on our labels.
Isothiazolinones are a family of preservatives commonly used in consumer products. Methylisothiazolinone (MI) or combination of methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone (MCI/MI) are two forms commonly used in rinse-off products, such as shower gel and hand soaps to prevent bacterial growth.
While MI and MCI/MI are safe, we understand that some people avoid products with these ingredients due to potential allergies. The easiest way to avoid this is to look for methylisothiazolinone or methylchloroisothiazolinone on our labels.
Parabens are one of the most common preservatives used in beauty products, food and drugs and are made from an ingredient also found naturally in numerous fruits and vegetables. Select parabens have been approved by major international regulatory authorities for use in personal care products to prevent bacteria and mold growth. Bath & Body Works uses approved parabens as a preservative in some of our personal care products.
While parabens are safe, we understand that some people avoid products with parabens. The easiest way to identify parabens in our products is to look for names such as methylparaben, ethylparaben and propylparaben on our labels.
Sulfates help create foaming and easy-to-rinse shower gels and hand soaps. Bath & Body Works uses sulfates in some of our rinse-off products in accordance with industry standards. While sulfates used in our products are safe, we understand that some people prefer products without sulfates, and we offer alternatives to meet their needs.
The easiest way to identify sulfates in our products is to look for names such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES) and Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate.
Impurities occur in many products, including personal care. They can be found naturally in very small, or trace, amounts in raw materials, such as heavy metals. While not added as an ingredient, very small amounts of phthalates or 1,4-Dioxane might be present when ingredients mix. When impurities are identified, we ensure the levels are below industry and global regulatory limits for customer safety. Bath & Body Works is committed to keeping our products as free from impurities as possible by meeting and exceeding safety standards and continuously reviewing emerging scientific research and regulatory developments.
The following ingredients do not meet regulatory or our internal standards and are not used in our products.
Microbeads are tiny pieces of plastic (5 mm or less).
Bath & Body Works stopped using microbeads in all of our products in 2016. In addition, we do not use plastic glitter in any of our products. Microbeads were banned in 2017 by the U.S. FDA after high concentrations of microbeads were detected in waterways.
Because some studies have shown that triclosan – a preservative – may have some health concerns, Bath & Body Works does not use it in any of our products.
All Bath & Body Works candle wicks are lead-free. The wicks are either cotton, cotton/paper or rayon. For each fragrance, the best wick choice varies; we determine which wick is used to ensure the best burn quality and safety.
When it comes to our products, quality and safety are non-negotiable. I’m proud of our incredible team who works every day to ensure every finished product we sell to customers undergoes extensive safety and quality review. Bottom line is that this work is never ending for our team, and we’re proud to offer customers products that we enjoy in our own homes.
Steve Smith
SVP of Product Integrity
The brand's latest innovation and launch in the hand soap category meets consumer demand for a formula made without parabens, sulfates and dyes in packaging that supports the...