Method body wash isn’t dangerous, but it’s not the gentlest option either. The brand’s formulas contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), a strong cleanser known to irritate skin, alongside milder surfactants and a solid lineup of moisturizing ingredients. Whether it’s “bad” for you depends largely on your skin type and sensitivity.
The SLS Question
The biggest concern with Method body wash centers on its primary cleansing agent: sodium lauryl sulfate. SLS is so effective at stripping oils from skin that dermatologists routinely use it in studies as a standard skin irritant. It’s not toxic or cancer-causing (those claims have been debunked), but it can leave skin dry, tight, or red, especially with daily use.
Method balances SLS with gentler co-surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine, a coconut-derived cleanser that’s hydrating and helps thicken the formula, and cocoglucoside, a plant-based surfactant that’s biodegradable and mild. Mixing SLS with these milder agents does reduce its irritation potential compared to using SLS alone. Still, if you have eczema, rosacea, or generally reactive skin, the presence of SLS is worth noting. Competitors like Native skip SLS entirely, relying on gentler cleansers like sodium lauroyl sarcosinate and sodium cocoyl isethionate instead.
Moisturizing Ingredients Are a Strength
Where Method actually outperforms some competitors is in its moisturizing formula. The body wash includes glycerin (a humectant that pulls water into the skin), along with several emollients that soften and smooth. By comparison, Native’s body wash lists only water as a skin-conditioning agent. If your skin tolerates SLS well, Method’s formula may actually leave you feeling more hydrated after a shower than some “cleaner” alternatives.
Fragrance and Allergens
Method body washes are free of parabens and phthalates, two categories of chemicals many consumers try to avoid. However, the products do contain synthetic fragrance, listed on labels as “Parfum.” Some formulas also include linalool and coumarin, both common fragrance compounds that can trigger reactions in people with fragrance sensitivities or allergies.
If you’ve ever noticed redness or itching from scented products, the fragrance blend is a more likely culprit than SLS. Fragrance allergies affect a meaningful portion of the population, and Method’s scented varieties don’t disclose exactly which fragrance chemicals are in the mix beyond what’s required by regulation.
How Method Scores on Safety Databases
The Environmental Working Group’s Skin Deep database rates Method body washes across a range. The Simply Nourish formula (coconut, rice milk, shea butter) scores as low hazard. Most other varieties, including the men’s line and limited-edition scents, fall into the moderate hazard category. That moderate rating typically reflects the combination of SLS and fragrance rather than any single toxic ingredient.
Many Method products are dermatologist tested, and the brand holds both Leaping Bunny and PETA cruelty-free certifications, meaning no animal testing at any stage of production. Method is also a certified B Corporation with an impact score of 116.9, which reflects commitments to environmental and social standards beyond what’s legally required.
Who Should Avoid It
Method body wash is a reasonable choice for people with normal, non-reactive skin who like the brand’s scents and packaging. The moisturizing ingredients genuinely help offset the harshness of SLS, and for many users, the formula works fine without any irritation.
You’re better off choosing something else if you have dry or sensitive skin, a history of eczema or contact dermatitis, or known fragrance allergies. In those cases, look for body washes that use sulfate-free surfactants and are fragrance-free (not just “unscented,” which can still contain masking fragrances). Brands that rely on sodium cocoyl isethionate or sodium lauroyl sarcosinate as primary cleansers will be noticeably gentler on compromised skin.
For everyone else, Method isn’t bad. It’s a mid-range body wash with one potentially irritating ingredient that the formula works to counterbalance. The real answer depends on your skin: if you’ve been using it without problems, there’s no hidden danger lurking in the bottle. If you’ve noticed dryness or irritation, SLS or fragrance is the likely reason, and switching to a gentler formula should resolve it.