Pack image shown to identify the product. Decode Label is independent of Patanjali and is not sponsored or endorsed by it. Trademarks
Brand founded in India, 2006 · about the brand
Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash
Decode Label Safety Score
How we got 3.5 ShowHide
Reviewed 8 times · Methodology v3.1 (updated 8 Oct 2026) — what changed
The score is capped for a specific safety reason, set out below. This hand wash contains several ingredients of concern, including a formaldehyde-releasing preservative and an endocrine-disrupting antioxidant, which significantly lower its safety profile. While it includes beneficial botanical extracts, their trace amounts mean the primary cleansing action comes from the surfactant system. Individuals with sensitive skin or allergies should be particularly cautious due to the undisclosed 'Fragrance' and potential irritants.
At a glance
From the declared label — not a lab testFindings to weigh
What’s favorable
- Neem leaf extract
- Tulsi Leaf Extract
- Glycerin
- Sorbitol
Contains formaldehyde-releasing preservative and undisclosed fragrance
The score is capped for a specific safety reason, set out below. This hand wash contains Diazolidinyl Urea, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative classified by the EU SCCS as a sensitizer. It also includes Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), an antioxidant with endocrine-disruption concerns. The product's 'Fragrance' is undisclosed, which is a common source of allergens for sensitive individuals.
Consider this product carefully if you are
- Avoiding certain additives or colours — Butylated Hydroxytoluene is declared.
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
Contains a formaldehyde-releasing preservative (EU SCCS)
Rule PC-CAP-01
Contains an ingredient flagged for endocrine-disruption concern
Rule PC-CAP-07
Primary surfactant with recognised irritation potential (EU SCCS)
Rule PC-CAP-05
Undisclosed fragrance (allergens not named)
Rule PC-CAP-06
What's good
Contains hydrating ingredients like Glycerin and Sorbitol
Includes botanical extracts (Neem, Tulsi) known for beneficial properties, though in trace amounts
Watch out for
Presence of formaldehyde-releasing preservative (Diazolidinyl Urea)
Endocrine-disrupting antioxidant (BHT)
Undisclosed fragrance, a common allergen source
Potential skin irritant surfactant (Sodium Laureth Sulfate)
Synthetic colorants (CI 15985, CI 15510) which can be irritants
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate — a preservative that can be a skin sensitizer and is restricted in certain cosmetic applications due to potential toxicity (EU SCCS).
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.
BHT (E321)
BHT is a synthetic antioxidant used to stop fats and fragrance oils going rancid. The concern is endocrine activity: animal studies report effects on thyroid hormone and liver enzymes, and the EU SCCS has assessed it as an endocrine-disruption candidate. It is NOT classified as a carcinogen by IARC — that classification (Group 2B) belongs to BHA, a different additive with a similar name. Permitted in cosmetics at low levels.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: EU SCCS Opinion on BHT (SCCS/1636/21); EFSA re-evaluation of E321
BHT: regulation, sources and other products →Sodium Laureth Sulfate
SLES is a cleansing agent that is milder than SLS but can still irritate very sensitive or compromised skin. Separately, because it is made by ethoxylation, it may carry a residue of 1,4-dioxane, which IARC classifies as possibly carcinogenic to humans (Group 2B). The ingredient list cannot show whether any is present or how much. The EU SCCS considers 1,4-dioxane at or below 10 ppm in a finished cosmetic to be safe, and manufacturers reduce it by vacuum stripping.
Regulatory & scientific authority Source: FDA; EU SCCS
Sodium Laureth Sulfate: 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 Diazolidinyl Urea, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative, which is a known sensitizer and allergen (EU SCCS).
Contains Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), an antioxidant with endocrine-disruption concerns (EU SCCS).
Contains Sodium Laureth Sulfate, a surfactant that can cause skin irritation and may contain trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane.
Contains undisclosed 'Fragrance', a common source of allergens and sensitizers for sensitive individuals.
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.
This describes the product’s packaging or its category, not a testable attribute of the food itself — so it’s classified separately rather than flagged as a doubtful claim.
The claim 'Anti Bacterial' cannot be verified from the ingredient list alone, as it requires specific testing or efficacy data not present on the label.
The claim 'Kills 99.9% Germs' is a performance claim that cannot be verified from the ingredient list or other provided label information.
The product name includes 'Herbal Hand Wash', and the ingredient list confirms the presence of herbal extracts like Neem leaf extract and Tulsi Leaf Extract.
The claim 'Moisturize Hands' is supported by the presence of moisturizing ingredients like Glycerin in the ingredient list.
The claim 'Natural care with Neem and Tulsi' is supported by the presence of Neem leaf extract and Tulsi Leaf Extract in the ingredient list.
Read straight from the back-of-pack photo — quantities, sections and any disguised terms, so the small print can’t hide behind the marketing.
-
1.
Neem Leaf Extract 20mg ActiveNeem (Azadirachta indica) Lf. Ext. 20 mg
-
2.
Tulsi Leaf Extract 20mg ActiveTulsi (Ocimum sanctum) Lf. Ext. 20 mg
-
3.
Water BaseAqua
-
4.
Myristic Acid BaseMyristic acid
-
5.
Sodium Laureth Sulfate BaseSodium lauryl ether sulphate
-
6.
Lauric Acid BaseLauric acid
-
7.
Glycerin Base
-
8.
Sodium Chloride BaseSodium chloride
-
9.
Sorbitol Base
-
10.
Palmitic Acid BasePalmitic acid
-
11.
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose BaseHydroxypropyl methyl cellulose
-
12.
Butylated Hydroxytoluene BaseBHT
-
13.
Diazolidinyl Urea BaseDiazolidinyl urea
-
14.
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate BaseIPBC
-
15.
CI 15985 Base synthetic colour
-
16.
CI 15510 Base synthetic colour
-
17.
Fragrance Base undisclosed fragranceSugandhit Dravya
In label order — normally largest quantity first. Select a row for the full write-up and sources.
✓ 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 hand wash 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.
Side-by-side comparisons
How this product's label compares with others on the same shelf, row by row.
Also on this shelf
More Hand Wash products we've analysed, in name order.
What are the ingredients in Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash?
The label of Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash lists 17 ingredients, in label order: Neem leaf extract, Tulsi Leaf Extract, Water, Myristic Acid, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, LAURIC ACID, Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Sorbitol, PALMITIC ACID, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate, CI 15985, CI 15510, Fragrance. Flagged by the analysis: Butylated Hydroxytoluene, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Fragrance, Diazolidinyl Urea, Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate and 2 more.
Is Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash safe to use?
Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash scores 3.5/10 on Decode Label (Concerning). The score is capped for a specific safety reason, set out below. This hand wash contains Diazolidinyl Urea, a formaldehyde-releasing preservative classified by the EU SCCS as a sensitizer. It also includes Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT), an antioxidant with endocrine-disruption concerns. The product's 'Fragrance' is undisclosed, which is a common source of allergens for sensitive individuals.
Why does Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash score 3.5/10?
Flagged in the score: Presence of formaldehyde-releasing preservative (Diazolidinyl Urea). Undisclosed fragrance, a common allergen source. Also noted: Endocrine-disrupting antioxidant (BHT).
Who should avoid Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash?
The points the analysis notes are most relevant to: Sensitive skin; Fragrance allergy; Contact dermatitis; Formaldehyde allergy.
Does Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash 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. This matters mainly if you have sensitive skin or a known fragrance allergy.
Are the claims on the Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash pack accurate?
Decode Label checked 5 claims against the ingredient list and nutrition panel. "Anti Bacterial" — can't be verified from the label. "Kills 99.9% Germs" — 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.
Reader reviews
How the product performed for people who used it — taste, value, everyday experience. Separate from the Decode Label score above, which rates what is on the label.
Sign in to leave a review.
Sign in →No reviews yet — be the first to share your experience.
Help us keep this accurate
Two quick questions about our analysis — not about the product.
Was this analysis helpful?
Tells us whether the breakdown above actually answered your question.
0 of 0 readers found this analysis helpful
Does your pack match this page?
Recipes change and packs get reformulated. If the ingredients or the panel on the pack in your hand differ from what we show, tell us and we will check it.
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.
Report Error
If you believe this score is inaccurate, provide details below. Our team reviews every report and will update the rating if warranted.
Report submitted
Our team will review your report and update the rating if the evidence warrants it. Thank you for helping keep our data accurate.
Share this product
Patanjali Herbal Hand Wash
Link copied — paste it in your Instagram bio or Story!