Not all liquid hand soaps have the same composition. In the test conducted by Altroconsumo on 41 products sold in the main Italian supermarkets and discount stores, several detergents were penalized for the presence of ingredients considered less favorable from an environmental and, to a lesser extent, health point of view.
The ranking was developed by analyzing exclusively the ingredients declared on the label, i.e. the INCI. The final score, expressed on a scale from 0 to 100, attributes 70% of the weight to the environmental impact assessment and the remaining 30% to health-related aspects.
The elements taken into consideration include, among others, perfume allergens, microplastics, persistent and bioaccumulative substances and ingredients subject to particular attention by European authorities.
It is important to point out, however, that all the soaps analyzed comply with European cosmetics legislation. A low score in the ranking therefore does not mean that a product is prohibited or unsafe, but that its formulation is less favorable than that of products that have obtained better ratings.
From the bottom of the ranking: the least convincing liquid soaps
In the lowest part of the ranking we find both products rated “Acceptable” and detergents classified as “Poor”.
Considering the products that obtained a score equal to or lower than 58 points, the ranking starts from some references from large-scale distribution and goes up to the soaps that recorded the worst results of the entire test.
Here is the list:
Felce Azzurra occupies the last three places
What is most striking in the final part of the ranking is the presence of three Felce Azzurra products in the last three positions.
The worst result of the entire test is that of Felce Azzurra Mint and Lime Antibacterial Perfumed Soap, which stops at 23 points.
Immediately above we find Felce Azzurra Classic Perfumed Soap, with 24 points, and Felce Azzurra Nourishing Amber and Argan Perfumed Soap, with 25 points.
Nidra Sapone Moisturizing Milk does a little better, reaching 26 points.
Followed by two references of Champagne Spuma: the Marseille Soap Cream with Antibacterial, with 29 points, and the Almond Cream Soap with Antibacterial, with 31 points.
Among the “scarce” products also Malizia, Vidal, Borotalco and Milmil
The range of products judged “Poor” also includes well-known brands.
Malizia appears twice, with the Liquid Soap with Antibacterial Green Tea and Mint at 32 points and the Nourishing Liquid Soap with Milk Cream at 34 points.
Vidal Organic Argan Oil Liquid Soap reaches 33 points, while Borotalco Antibacterial Sanitizing Soap stops at 35.
Finally, at 36 points we find three products: I Provenzali Pure Marseille Liquid Soap with Glycerin, Milmil White Musk Liquid Soap and Milmil Wild Blackberry & Forest Moss Liquid Soap.
Why some liquid soaps have been penalized
According to the criteria adopted by Altroconsumo, the lowest scores mainly concern formulations in which there are more ingredients considered problematic from an environmental point of view or substances that can negatively impact the health assessment, such as some perfume allergens.
The greatest weight of the overall score concerns the environment: 70% of the evaluation depends on this parameter, while 30% is linked to aspects relating to health.
Consequently, even a product that perfectly complies with the law can obtain a modest rating if it contains ingredients with an environmental profile considered less favorable.
The Altroconsumo ranking can be a useful tool for comparing apparently very similar products and better understanding what is hidden behind the list of ingredients.
Being in the last positions, however, does not automatically mean that a soap is dangerous or that it should be avoided at all costs. In fact, all the products included in the test comply with the European standards for cosmetics.
The difference mainly concerns the quality of the formulation according to the criteria chosen for comparison. For those who want to pay more attention not only to effectiveness and price, but also to environmental impact and composition, taking a look at the INCI can therefore be a useful habit before putting the bottle in the cart.
