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Brand owned by Unilever (United Kingdom) · about the brand
Dove Serum Bar | with Sandalwood Oil
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 6.8 ShowHide
Reviewed 8 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
This bathing bar offers effective cleansing with a blend of mild and traditional soap bases. However, the presence of undisclosed 'Fragrance' and a high number of declared fragrance allergens makes it unsuitable for individuals with sensitive skin, fragrance allergies, or contact dermatitis.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate
- SODIUM ISETHIONATE
- Glycerin
- Potassium Sorbate
- Sodium Benzoate
- +1 more →
Blended cleansing bar with high fragrance allergen load
This bathing bar combines synthetic detergents with traditional soap for effective cleansing. However, it contains an undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend and several known fragrance allergens, making it a concern most relevant to those with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.
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.
Why the score is capped
High load of declared fragrance allergens (EU-listed)
Rule PC-CAP-03
What's good
Contains mild surfactants like Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate and Sodium Isethionate, contributing to a gentler cleanse.
Includes Glycerin, a beneficial humectant for skin hydration.
Uses well-tolerated preservatives like Potassium Sorbate and Sodium Benzoate.
Watch out for
The presence of 'Fragrance' and multiple declared fragrance allergens (Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool) poses a significant risk for individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, while effective, can be a moderate irritant and drying, especially when combined with traditional soap bases which are inherently alkaline.
Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, and PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil are present in trace amounts, so a meaningful benefit from these ingredients is unlikely.
CI 15510 — 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.
TETRASODIUM EDTA — tetrasodium EDTA is a chelating agent that keeps a product stable and clear. It has been flagged in some studies for potential endocrine-disrupting properties; regulatory consensus is not yet established, so it is noted as a low-level concern rather than a confirmed 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.
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate
A high-foaming anionic detergent used as a primary or secondary cleanser. On its own it is comparably stripping to SLS. In a syndet bar it is usually the SECONDARY surfactant behind a mild primary such as Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, and the blend as a whole is far gentler than the raw ingredient suggests — so read it in the context of the full cleansing system rather than in isolation.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: SCCS; Ananthapadmanabhan et al., Dermatologic Therapy 2004
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate: regulation, sources and other products →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' (undisclosed mix), which is a common allergen and can contain over 3,000 possible chemicals. Specific fragrance allergens (Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool) are also explicitly listed, indicating a high potential for sensitisation for individuals with fragrance allergies or sensitive skin. (Authority: EU Reg. 1223/2009 Art. 19 + Annex III)
Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate is an anionic surfactant known for high foaming but can be drying and irritating, especially for sensitive skin. Its harshness depends on the overall formulation and blend with milder surfactants.
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 the product is a 'serum bar'.
The label does not provide information to verify the 'sandal glow' claim.
The label does not provide information to verify if the product is 'dermatologically tested'.
The ingredient list includes Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil.
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
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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 Sandalwood Oil?
The label of Dove Serum Bar | with Sandalwood Oil lists 36 ingredients, in label order: Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate, SODIUM PALMATE, PALMITIC ACID, STEARIC ACID, SODIUM STEARATE, Water, SODIUM ISETHIONATE, LAURIC ACID, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, SODIUM PALM KERNELATE, Fragrance, Sodium Chloride, Dipropylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Glycerin, ZINC OXIDE, Titanium Dioxide, TETRASODIUM EDTA, TETRASODIUM ETIDRONATE, Potassium Sorbate, Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Lactic Acid, Alcohol, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, Trideceth-9, PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Sodium Sulfate, Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, CI 15510. Flagged by the analysis: Fragrance, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, CI 15510, TETRASODIUM EDTA.
Is Dove Serum Bar | with Sandalwood Oil safe to use?
Dove Serum Bar | with Sandalwood Oil scores 6.8/10 on Decode Label (Moderate). This bathing bar combines synthetic detergents with traditional soap for effective cleansing. However, it contains an undisclosed 'Fragrance' blend and several known fragrance allergens, making it a concern most relevant to those with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.
Why does Dove Serum Bar | with Sandalwood Oil score 6.8/10?
Flagged in the score: The presence of 'Fragrance' and multiple declared fragrance allergens (Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool) poses a significant risk for individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies. Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, while effective, can be a moderate irritant and drying, especially when combined with traditional soap bases which are inherently alkaline. Also noted: Crocus Sativus Flower Extract, Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil, and PEG-40 Hydrogenated Castor Oil are present in trace amounts, so a meaningful benefit from these ingredients is unlikely.
Who should avoid Dove Serum Bar | with Sandalwood Oil?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive skin; Fragrance allergy; Contact dermatitis.
Does Dove Serum Bar | with Sandalwood Oil contain allergens?
Yes — the label lists 6 fragrance allergens: Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal and Linalool. It also lists a fragrant botanical (Santalum Album (Sandalwood) Oil) that can naturally contain fragrance allergens. These matter mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Does Dove Serum Bar | with Sandalwood Oil 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 (Benzyl Benzoate, Benzyl Salicylate, Citronellol, Geraniol and Hexyl Cinnamal and others). This matters mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Are the claims on the Dove Serum Bar | with Sandalwood Oil pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 4 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "serum bar" — can't be verified from the label. "sandal glow" — can't be verified from the label. "DERMATOLOGICALLY TESTED" — 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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