Barbe Set vs Men's Sensitive Cooling Shaving Gel: which is safer?

Baxter of California Barbe Set is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.

Our pick

Baxter of California

Barbe Set

PFAS grade

B 85/100

Overall grade

F 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 4

Material

Stainless steel, brushes, standard cosmetic packaging

Confidence

72%

PossibleFragrance allergens (undisclosed fragrance blend)

Possible1,4-dioxane (cosmetic contaminant)

ReportedBrush bristle hygiene (bacterial/mold growth)

Why this gradeBuy

Nivea

Men's Sensitive Cooling Shaving Gel

PFAS grade

C 75/100

Overall grade

F 63/100

Verdict

Buy

Hazard flags

⚑ 3

Material

Water-based gel formula (typical: water, glycerin, carbomers, botanical extracts)

Confidence

78%

PossibleFragrance allergens

PossiblePreservative-related contact irritation

PossibleMicrobial contamination from packaging

Why this gradeBuy

Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →

More shaving cream: see the full ranking