Dial Liquid Hand Soap Gold is a liquid soap composition designed to both remove dirt and kill a broad spectrum of bacteria. The formula contains cleansers and fragrances that are gentle but effective on skin. It comes in a pump bottle that is designed for easy and repeated use.

The active anti-bacterial ingredient in Dial Liquid Hand Soap Gold is Triclosan. Triclosan is a phenyl ether compound having the chemical formula C12H7Cl3O2, indicating that there are 12 carbon atoms, seven hydrogen atoms, three chlorine atoms, and two oxygen atoms for every one molecule of Triclosan.

In the concentrations found in soap, Triclosan functions as a bacteriostatic and fungistatic agent. It does not kill bacteria or fungi, rather it inhibits their growth by inhibiting the fatty acid synthesis necessary for reproduction and cell membrane construction. Because it inhibits bacterial and fungi growth, it also acts as a preservative, increasing the shelf-life of the product. Triclosan has a pleasant odor and therefore also can function as a fragrance or deodorant.

Glycerin is a non-oily ingredient that absorbs moisture from the atmosphere, helping hold water in the product, slowing the evaporation process. It can also function as a skin conditioning agent as well as reduce the soap's viscosity.

Tetrasodium EDTA is a specific salt of editic acid, also known as EDTA. EDTA Salts chelate metal ions by forming complexes with positive cations such as calcium, magneisum and iron. Because these positive cations are found in hard water, the use of EDTA salts creates products that both foam and clean better. They also prevent cations from depositing on the skin.

Fragrances make products smell more pleasant to the consumer. They often used to cover up the smells of other compounds in the mixture or to give a specific brand a signature smell. For Dial Liquid Soap Gold the fragrance used is not specific, although other varieties of this product are formulated with specific scents, such as vanilla, or cherry, for example.

DMDM hydantoin is a preservative. It inhibits growth of a broad range of bacterial, yeast, and fungi, including spores. In liquid soap, DMDM hydantoin releases formaldehyde, which then kills cells by denaturing nucleic acids and cross-linking proteins.

Sodium and ammonium laureth sulfate are both surfactants and cleansing agents. Surfactants lower the surface tension of a liquid, making it easier to spread. This is important for liquid soaps so that the product can be easily distributed across all surface areas.

Liquid Dial Soap Gold contains two coloring agents; Red #4 and Yellow #5. They are used in combination to make the desired orange color of the final product. Red #4 is referred to as a monoazo color, while yellow 5 is known as tartrazine.

Surfactants are foam increasing agents. Dial Liquid Soap Gold has at least three surfactants. Decyl glucoside is a nonionic surfactant. It does not release an ion when in the presence of water. Nonionic surfactants, known by the generic term, soaps, are used in formulations for their foaming and cleansing properties.

Cocamidopropyl betaine is a zwitterionic surfactant. This means that it dissociates in water to yield an ammonium cation. Derived from coconut oil and dimethylaminopropylamine, it functions as an emulsifying agent, product thickener, and has antiseptic properties as well.

Cocamide MEA is both a surfactant and a viscosity increasing agent. Like Cocamidopropyl betaine, it is derived from coconut oil.

PEG-18 Glyceryl Oleate/Cocoate is a synthetic polymer made from ethylene oxide, glycerin, and fatty acids derived from coconut oil. PEG-18 glyceryl oleate/cocoate is an emulsifier, helping to keep some of the unblendable ingredients in the Dial Liquid Soap Gold formulation evenly dispersed.

Sodium chloride is ordinary table salt, having the chemical formula NaCl. In Dial Liquid Soap Gold, sodium chloride's main function is to increase the thickness of the product.

Citric acid is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA). AHAs are a class of chemicals thought to reduce wrinkles and improve the feel of skin. It may be used in Dial Liquid Soap to help chelate metals and to adjust the pH, or acidity, of the final compound. It can also add a lemony fragrance.

Water is found in soap as the solvent for the active ingredients and to impart the desired viscosity on the final product.