5.3 /10
5.0 /10
Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar vs Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar
Decode Label-scored on the concerns that matter for Bath Body — the facts from each label, side by side. We decode, you decide.
Pack images are shown to identify the products. Decode Label is independent of Dettol and is not sponsored or endorsed by it. Trademarks
What's different
- •Only Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar lists the flagged ingredients Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate and CI 74160.
- •Only Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar lists the flagged ingredients Climbazole, CI 21100/CI 11680 and CI 12490.
- •Only Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar lists the allergens Camphor, Linalool, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil and Citral and 2 more.
Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar
Not ahead on any concern we check.
Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar
Fewer concerns on: Harsh Surfactants & Irritants
Scores: 5.3 and 5.0 — within 0.5 of a point in the same band, so the gap is noise rather than a difference. Which difference matters most depends on who is eating or using it — that's your call.
A higher score means fewer or lighter concerns found under Decode Label's published rules. It is not a medical "safe", and a lower score does not establish that a product is unsafe.
Safety Score
A refreshing soap with a more complex fragrance profile and additional cooling ingredients.
Safety Score
A traditional germ protection soap with a simpler ingredient list, potentially gentler for some users.
Side by side
What each label says.
Fragrance allergens matter mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
What these labels can't tell us
- How much of each ingredient is in the product — labels list order, not amounts.
- What is inside a bare "Fragrance" — it can include allergens the label does not name.
- How the finished product performs, or how your skin or scalp will react — an ingredient list cannot show either.
- Anything a laboratory test would find — Decode Label reads labels; it does not test products.
Concern match
A separate lens from the overall Safety Score above — how well each product suits a specific concern, not an overall verdict. Each concern is scored 0–10: higher means less of that concern (5 ≈ neutral).
What matters most to you?
…or what you want it to do — read from the ingredients, not scored by the engine
For , scores higher ( vs ). This is only a per-concern fit lens — it doesn't change the overall safety score, where still has the higher score.
For , the two are evenly matched. The overall safety verdict is unchanged.
This one is read from the two ingredient lists rather than measured by the Decode Label engine — useful for choosing, but it is not a safety finding.
Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar scores higher due to the absence of Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, which is present in Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar and can be more irritating for some skin types.
Both products have a similar fragrance and allergen load; Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar lists Parfum and Limonene, while Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar lists Parfum, Linalool, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil, Citral, Benzyl Salicylate, Limonene, and COUMARIN, resulting in comparable potential for sensitization.
Both products score similarly on preservative safety, as both contain Etidronic Acid and TETRASODIUM EDTA, which are commonly used chelating agents that also contribute to product stability.
Both products score equally as neither product contains ingredients widely recognized as endocrine disruptors at concentrations typically found in rinse-off products, based on their ingredient lists.
Both products score similarly low due to the presence of Talc in both formulations, an ingredient that has an IARC carcinogen classification when inhaled in its unbound, respirable form.
Both products score equally on pH and skin barrier suitability, as both are traditional soap bars primarily composed of SODIUM PALMATE and SODIUM PALM KERNELATE, which are inherently alkaline and can impact the skin's natural pH.
Both products demonstrate similar levels of label transparency by listing their ingredients in descending order of concentration, including specific fragrance components where applicable.
Declared ingredients linked to common bath & body goals
Ingredient read — not a safety scoreRead from the two ingredient lists rather than measured by the Decode Label engine, so these sit apart from the scores above and do not change the verdict. 5 means neutral — no ingredient that helps or hinders. Traditional cosmetic use, not a medical claim — and the ingredient list alone does not establish that the finished product delivers the benefit.
Skin Dryness & Moisturisation
EvenBoth products contain Glycerin, a humectant commonly included to help attract moisture to the skin, which can mitigate some of the drying effects of traditional soap.
Harsh Surfactants & Sulfates (SLS/SLES)
Stronger ingredient match: Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar +2.0Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar scores higher as it primarily uses traditional soap bases (SODIUM PALMATE, SODIUM PALM KERNELATE) without additional harsh sulfates like Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, which is present in Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar.
Parabens & Preservatives
EvenNeither product lists parabens, and both contain Etidronic Acid and TETRASODIUM EDTA, which are chelating agents that contribute to product stability and preservation without being traditional preservatives.
pH Balance & Skin Barrier
EvenBoth products are traditional soap bars made from SODIUM PALMATE and SODIUM PALM KERNELATE, which are inherently alkaline and can disrupt the skin's natural acidic pH, potentially impacting the skin barrier.
Antibacterial & Hygiene
Stronger ingredient match: Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar +3.0Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar includes Climbazole, an ingredient known for its antifungal and antimicrobial properties, supporting its 'germ protection' claim, while Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar does not list a specific antimicrobial active.
Long-Lasting Freshness & Odour Control
Stronger ingredient match: Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar +1.5Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar scores higher due to its more complex blend of fragrance components, including Menthol, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil, and Eucalyptol, which are commonly associated with a fresh and invigorating scent, compared to the simpler fragrance in Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar.
Skin Irritation & Sensitivity
Stronger ingredient match: Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar +2.0Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar is less likely to cause irritation for some individuals due to its simpler fragrance profile and absence of Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, whereas Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar contains a higher number of potential fragrance allergens and a harsher surfactant.
Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar
In its favour, from the label
- Includes Menthol and Camphor for a cooling sensation
- Contains a variety of fragrance components for a 'cologne fresh' scent
Label findings to note
- Contains an ingredient with an IARC carcinogen classification (e.g. talc)
- High load of declared fragrance allergens (EU-listed)
- Higher potential for fragrance allergens
- Includes Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, a harsher surfactant
Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar
In its favour, from the label
- Lower potential for harsh surfactants
- Contains Climbazole for antimicrobial properties
Label findings to note
- Contains a restricted antimicrobial biocide
- Contains an ingredient with an IARC carcinogen classification (e.g. talc)
- Includes synthetic colorants
Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar vs Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar — frequently asked questions
Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar's ingredient list includes Camphor, Linalool, Cymbopogon Flexuosus Oil, Citral, Benzyl Salicylate and Limonene. It also lists a bare "Fragrance", whose components — which can include allergens — are not disclosed. Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar's ingredient list includes Limonene. It also lists a bare "Fragrance", whose components — which can include allergens — are not disclosed.
Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar lists Talc, Parfum, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, CI 74160 and TETRASODIUM EDTA. Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar lists Talc, Climbazole, Parfum, CI 21100/CI 11680, CI 12490 and TETRASODIUM EDTA.
Flagged ingredients in this comparison
Who classified each one, its regulation, and how common it is across the catalogue.
Related comparisons
Other side-by-sides you may want next.
-
Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar
vs
Dettol Icy Cool Bathing Soap Bar
-
Dettol Cologne Fresh Bathing Soap Bar
vs
Dettol Neem Bathing Soap Bar
-
Dettol Icy Cool Bathing Soap Bar
vs
Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar
-
Dettol Neem Bathing Soap Bar
vs
Dettol Original Germ Protection Bathing Soap Bar
-
Dettol Icy Cool Bathing Soap Bar
vs
Dettol Neem Bathing Soap Bar
-
Dove Serum Bar | with Pro-Ceramide Serum
vs
Liril Lime Bathing Bar
Comparison generated by Decode Label from each product's listed ingredients. Every score and flagged finding comes from Decode Label's rules engine; the explanations and the ingredient read are written with AI and cannot change a score. Always read the actual label.