The Dirty Truth About Big Box Body Washes (And Why RinkRat Plays in a Different League)
Walk into any major retailer and you’ll find body washes stacked high — flashy packaging, aggressive branding, bold promises.
But what’s inside those bottles?
If you’re an athlete — especially a hockey player — your skin goes through a lot. Intense sweat, gear friction, heat, cold, cuts, and bacteria exposure. Yet most big box body washes are designed for cost efficiency, not athlete health.
Let’s break down what’s really in those mass-produced products — and why RinkRat Body Wash was made to clean differently.
The Problem With Mass-Produced Body Washes
Most popular body washes on big box store shelves share one thing in common: they’re full of cheap, synthetic additives that are designed to foam up, smell strong, and last forever — not to care for your skin.
Here’s what’s really inside many of them:
Parabens
What they are:
Synthetic preservatives used to extend shelf life and prevent mold/bacterial growth in products.
The concern:
- Linked to endocrine (hormone) disruption in various studies
- May be absorbed through the skin and build up in the body
- Found in 44% of cosmetic products tested in one FDA study
Why it matters:
For athletes who sweat heavily and have open micro-cuts or damaged skin barriers, these compounds can enter the bloodstream more easily.
Phthalates
What they are:
Used to make fragrances last longer and help products spread more easily.
The concern:
- Disrupt hormone function
- May affect reproductive health
- Often not listed clearly — hidden under the word “fragrance”
Fun (scary) fact:
A 2021 review found phthalates in over 70% of personal care products with artificial fragrance.
Sulfates (like SLS or SLES)
What they are:
Foaming agents found in almost all conventional soaps and body washes.
The concern:
- Strip away natural oils
- Dry out and irritate skin — especially for athletes who shower often
- Can worsen conditions like eczema or athlete’s foot
SLS/SLES are commonly found in brands you see on the shelf!
Fragrance (Parfum)
What it is:
A blanket term that can include hundreds of undisclosed chemicals, many of which are allergens or hormone disruptors.
The concern:
- Brands are not required to disclose fragrance ingredients
- Can cause skin reactions, breakouts, and irritation
- Especially risky for sweaty, sensitive, or compromised skin
📢 If you see “fragrance” or “parfum” on a label and nothing else listed, assume it’s synthetic.
Artificial Dyes
What they are:
Synthetic colorants added purely for appearance — like red, blue, or green tints.
The concern:
- Can trigger skin irritation and allergic reactions
- Offer no benefit to cleansing or skin health
- Dyes like FD&C Blue 1 and Red 33 are still widely used in men’s washes despite allergy and sensitivity risks
Enter RinkRat: A Body Wash Built for the Rink, Not the Shelf
RinkRat Body Wash was built for hockey players, not for a mass-market shelf. That means every ingredient was chosen with your skin — and your routine — in mind.
Here’s how we’re different:
| Ingredient Category | Big Box Washes | RinkRat Body Wash |
|---|---|---|
| Preservatives | Parabens, synthetic | Paraben-free |
| Fragrance | Synthetic, phthalate-based | Naturally derived essential oils (peppermint, tea tree, orange peel oil) |
| Foam agents | Sulfates (SLS/SLES) | Sulfate-free surfactants like Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate |
| Colorants | FD&C Dyes | Mineral-based mica and iron oxides |
| Skin support | Rare or nonexistent | Chamomile, aloe vera, oats, jojoba, shea butter, vitamin E, spirulina |
Why This Matters for Hockey Players
Hockey gear traps heat and moisture. Your skin is exposed to:
- Friction from pads and base layers
- Micro-cuts and abrasions
- Sweat and bacteria sitting on skin
- Multiple showers per week = stripping natural oils
Using a harsh, drugstore body wash is like using sandpaper after practice.
RinkRat was created to:
- Fight bacteria with natural ingredients
- Soothe and protect skin after games
- Avoid synthetic junk that damages skin over time
- Smell clean — not chemically or like cologne
The Bottom Line
Most big-name washes weren’t made for hockey players — they were made for the mass market.
RinkRat was made for the athlete, the locker room, the gear bag, and the skin that goes through the grind.
Don’t use generic soap.
Your skin is gear. Treat it like it matters.
