Is Mrs. Meyer's Hand Soap Safe?

The Short Answer

Mrs. Meyer's Hand Soap is a classic case of "greenwashing."

While the packaging screams "garden-fresh" and "plant-derived," the formula tells a different story. It earns a Caution verdict because it relies on synthetic fragrances and harsh preservatives like Methylisothiazolinone (MIT), which are known skin sensitizers.

Is it better than the neon-blue Softsoap at the gas station? Yes. It avoids parabens, phthalates, and triclosan.

Is it truly safe for a non-toxic home? No. The presence of hidden fragrance chemicals and allergenic preservatives makes it a poor choice for children or anyone with eczema.

Why This Matters

Your hands are your primary interaction with the world, and you wash them multiple times a day. Repeated exposure to contact allergens like the ones found in Mrs. Meyer's can lead to "hand dermatitis"—chronic dry, cracked, and itchy skin that many people mistake for just "dry winter skin."

Furthermore, Mrs. Meyer's is owned by SC Johnson, the chemical giant behind Glade and Windex. This matters because huge corporations often prioritize shelf stability (hence the strong preservatives) and mass-market scent appeal (hence the synthetic fragrance) over strict ingredient purity.

What's Actually In Mrs. Meyer's

The ingredient list looks friendly until you decode the chemical names. Here are the biggest concerns hidden in that "Basil" or "Lemon Verbena" scent:

• Fragrance (Parfum) — The black box of ingredients. While Mrs. Meyer's discloses some scent components online, the bottle just says "Fragrance." This mixture often contains synthetic chemicals and allergens like Limonene, Linalool, and Geraniol that can trigger respiratory issues and headaches. Is Fragrance In Hand Soap Bad
• Methylisothiazolinone (MIT) — A synthetic preservative used to kill bacteria. It is a potent allergen linked to contact dermatitis and was named "Allergen of the Year" by dermatologists due to the high rate of reactions it causes.
• Benzisothiazolinone (BIT) — Another synthetic preservative in the same family as MIT. It is an environmental toxin and a skin irritant.
• Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine — A surfactant derived from coconut oil. While generally safer than SLS, it can still be an irritant for some, and its "natural" origin is heavily processed.
• PEG-5 Cocoate — A synthetic emulsifier. PEGs can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane, a probable human carcinogen, during the manufacturing process.

What to Look For

Green Flags:

• Leaping Bunny Certified — Verified cruelty-free, meaning no animal testing.
• Biodegradable Formula — Breaks down safely in the environment.
• Recyclable Packaging — Bottles are made with at least 30% post-consumer plastic.

Red Flags:

• "Fragrance" listed as an ingredient — A legal loophole allowing undisclosed chemicals.
• Isothiazolinone preservatives — Look for words ending in "-thiazolinone." These are harsh sensitizers.
• "Plant-Derived" marketing — A vague term. Arsenic is "natural," but you wouldn't wash your hands with it.

The Best Options

If you want a hand soap that cleans without the chemical cocktail, switch to these transparent brands.

The Bottom Line

1. Don't be fooled by the font. Just because the label looks like a vintage seed packet doesn't mean the ingredients are farm-fresh.

2. Watch for "The Itch." If your hands are chronically dry or itchy, the Methylisothiazolinone in soaps like Mrs. Meyer's is a likely culprit.

3. Switch to Castile. Liquid castile soap (like Is Dr Bronners Hand Soap Clean) is cheaper, safer, and versatile. Dilute it 1:4 with water for a perfect hand soap.

FAQ

Is Mrs. Meyer's safe for babies?

No. We recommend avoiding Mrs. Meyer's for infants. Their skin is thinner and more absorbent than adults', making them more susceptible to the synthetic fragrances and allergens like Methylisothiazolinone found in these products. Stick to unscented, verified clean brands for baby care.

Does Mrs. Meyer's contain phthalates?

No. Mrs. Meyer's is formulated without phthalates, parabens, or formaldehyde. However, being "phthalate-free" is the bare minimum for modern safety standards and doesn't account for other irritants in the bottle.

Is Mrs. Meyer's truly natural?

No. It is "natural-derived," which is a marketing term. The brand uses synthetic preservatives and synthetic fragrance compounds mixed with essential oils. A truly natural soap would use saponified oils and natural preservatives like rosemary extract or strict essential oils.

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