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Brand owned by Unilever (United Kingdom) · about the brand
Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 7.3 ShowHide
Reviewed 10 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This bathing bar offers a blend of cleansing agents, combining mild syndet surfactants like Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate with traditional saponified soap ingredients. While it effectively cleanses, the presence of multiple fragrance allergens, including Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, and Linalool, makes it less suitable for individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies. Titanium Dioxide is included as a whitening agent, which is safe for topical use but has ingestion concerns as a food additive. The product's overall formulation is typical for a cleansing bar, but the high fragrance load is the primary factor limiting its suitability for a broader audience.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
- Cocamidopropyl Betaine
- ZINC OXIDE
- Glycerin
Cleansing bar with high fragrance allergen load; not for sensitive skin
This bathing bar uses a mix of gentle and traditional cleansing agents. However, it contains a significant number of fragrance allergens, which can cause irritation or allergic reactions for people with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies. It also includes Titanium Dioxide, which is safe for skin but has raised concerns as a food additive.
Concern breakdown
Score out of 10 · higher = fewer concernsHow this product performs on each concern we check for bath body. This is a breakdown of the same evidence behind the score above — not a separate verdict.
Triggered by CI 17200 — a synthetic colour on our aromatic-amine watch list (impurity risk). A colour-quality caution, not a finding that this product contains a carcinogen.
Why the score is capped
High load of declared fragrance allergens (EU-listed)
Rule PC-CAP-03
What's good
Uses Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, a mild surfactant known for gentle cleansing.
Contains Glycerin, a humectant that helps moisturize the skin.
Watch out for
High concentration of undisclosed fragrance and multiple declared fragrance allergens, unsuitable for sensitive skin.
Contains Tetrasodium EDTA, which has environmental concerns regarding biodegradability.
CI 17200 — a synthetic colour (Colour Index dye) added purely for appearance — it gives the product no benefit for skin or health. Permitted at regulated levels, but synthetic dyes of this class are a recognised contact-irritant and sensitiser risk for some people, so they are noted as a moderate, subgroup-level concern rather than a general-population hazard.
CI 14700 — a synthetic colour (Colour Index dye) added purely for appearance — it gives the product no benefit for skin or health. Permitted at regulated levels, but synthetic dyes of this class are a recognised contact-irritant and sensitiser risk for some people, so they are noted as a moderate, subgroup-level concern rather than a general-population hazard.
Ingredient Concerns safety database
Sources cited below may be Indian (FSSAI) or international (EU, US, WHO, IARC) — an international classification or law is evidence, not an Indian regulatory finding.
Fragrance
"Fragrance" or "parfum" is a catch-all term that can conceal a blend of hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, including known allergens, sensitisers, and potential endocrine disruptors. The EU now mandates disclosure of 82 specific fragrance allergens. People with fragrance sensitivity, asthma, or contact dermatitis should prefer fragrance-free products.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU Regulation 2023/1545; IFRA
Fragrance: regulation, sources and other products →Decode Label Analysis
Contains 'Fragrance' (Parfum) without specific disclosure of all components, which can be a source of undisclosed allergens and irritants. (EU Reg. 1223/2009 Art. 19 + Annex III)
Multiple EU-26 fragrance allergens (Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Citronellol, Coumarin, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool) are present, increasing the risk of sensitization and allergic reactions for individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.
Claim check
Front-of-pack marketing claims checked against this product's actual ingredients and nutrition. "Can't verify" means the label does not provide enough information to check the claim — it is not the same as the claim being false.
The label does not provide information to verify if this product is a 'serum bar'.
The label does not provide information to verify the presence or effect of a 'radiance serum'.
The label does not provide information to verify the 'pink radiance' claim.
The label does not provide information to verify if the product has been dermatologically tested.
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
Fragrance allergens are substances EU cosmetics rules require to be named on the label (such as Limonene and Linalool). Fragrant botanicals such as essential oils are grouped with them because they can naturally contain such substances, but they are not on that list. They matter mainly for people with fragrance allergies or already-sensitive skin — not a general-population safety issue. Each named allergen takes a small deduction from the ingredient score, and a high count can cap it; fragrant botanicals take none. Naming them on the label is a transparency positive.
✓ Decode Label Assessment: Favorable ⚠ Decode Label Assessment: Concern Decode Label Assessment: Neutral
Who should take caution
About this ingredient
No detailed safety data in our database yet for this ingredient.
Learn More
Compare with other soap products
Assessed using the same Decode Label methodology, sorted by score. Each score reflects the information available for that product at the time of assessment.
Naija Organics Sandalwood & Turmeric Natural Bath Soap
9.6Naija Organics
Liril Lime Bathing Bar
8.0Liril
Dove Serum Bar | with Pro-Ceramide Serum
7.5Dove
Santoor Fresh Skin Aloe Vera & Lime Bathing Soap with Nourishing & Anti-Aging Properties
7.5Santoor
Dove Serum Bar | with Radiance Serum | Pink Radiance
7.3Dove
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What are the ingredients in Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum?
The label of Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum lists 26 ingredients, in label order: Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, PALMITIC ACID, STEARIC ACID, LAURIC ACID, SODIUM PALMATE, Water, SODIUM ISETHIONATE, SODIUM STEARATE, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Fragrance, SODIUM PALM KERNELATE, Titanium Dioxide, ZINC OXIDE, TETRASODIUM ETIDRONATE, TETRASODIUM EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, Citronellol, COUMARIN, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, CI 17200, CI 14700. Flagged by the analysis: Fragrance, CI 17200, CI 14700, TETRASODIUM EDTA.
Is Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum safe to use?
Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum scores 7.3/10 on Decode Label (Favorable). This bathing bar uses a mix of gentle and traditional cleansing agents. However, it contains a significant number of fragrance allergens, which can cause irritation or allergic reactions for people with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies. It also includes Titanium Dioxide, which is safe for skin but has raised concerns as a food additive.
Why does Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum score 7.3/10?
Flagged in the score: High concentration of undisclosed fragrance and multiple declared fragrance allergens, unsuitable for sensitive skin. Contains Tetrasodium EDTA, which has environmental concerns regarding biodegradability. CI 17200 — a synthetic colour (Colour Index dye) added purely for appearance — it gives the product no benefit for skin or health. Permitted at regulated levels, but synthetic dyes of this class are a recognised contact-irritant and sensitiser risk for some people, so they are noted as a moderate, subgroup-level concern rather than a general-population hazard.
Who should avoid Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive skin; Fragrance allergy; Contact dermatitis.
Does Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum contain allergens?
Yes — the label lists 6 fragrance allergens: ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, Citronellol, COUMARIN, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene and Linalool. These matter mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Does Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum contain fragrance?
Yes — the ingredient list includes Fragrance. Fragrance is declared as a single ingredient, so the individual scent chemicals in it are not named; the label does separately list 6 fragrance allergens (ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, Citronellol, COUMARIN, Hexyl Cinnamal and Limonene and others). This matters mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Are the claims on the Dove Serum Bar | with Nutrient Serum pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 4 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "serum bar" — can't be verified from the label. "RADIANCE SERUM" — can't be verified from the label. "pink radiance" — can't be verified from the label.
Answers are generated from this product's own Decode Label analysis — the score, the ingredient list and the label claims shown above. Always check the pack itself for allergen and dietary information.
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About this analysis: Based on declared label information and available evidence. Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test products, and a score is not a regulatory determination or medical advice.
Disclaimer: Safety scores are Decode Label-generated assessments based on publicly available regulatory data (FSSAI, WHO, EFSA, IARC) and peer-reviewed research. They are not a substitute for professional medical advice, and they are not a regulatory determination, a laboratory safety certification or a medical diagnosis. Ingredient safety can vary by individual health conditions, concentration, and usage context. Decode Label is an independent information service and scores every brand by the same rules. No brand pays for or influences its score. Our founder also founded the personal-care brand Botani Bestie (see our story); its products are scored exactly like everyone else's. Data limitations: This assessment is based on the information declared on the product label and the evidence sources above — Decode Label does not independently laboratory-test this product. Ingredient concentrations, sourcing and manufacturing can vary between batches and are not always disclosed. A finding that is not shown here means it was not identified from the available label information, not that it has been ruled out.
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