Augustinus Bader · Moisturizer
Augustinus Bader The Hydration Heroes
Lower PFAS concern for a standard cosmetic moisturizer; no red flags identified.
Augustinus Bader's Hydration Heroes is a cosmetic moisturizer with no known PFAS-prone ingredients (no water-repellent coating coatings, nonstick surfaces, or grease-resistant treatments). The brand does not disclose PFAS practices, and no public lab testing is available.
Shop Augustinus Bader on Amazon →Material
Water-based cosmetic cream (typical moisturizer formulation)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Augustinus Bader The Hydration Heroes is a water-based cream moisturizer, the safest formulation type for topical skincare. Water-based products carry lower inherent chemical hazard compared to oil-based or silicone-heavy alternatives because they rely on emulsifiers and humectants rather than synthetic polymers that can accumulate on skin. The formulation type itself does not trigger concerns around microplastics, volatile organic compounds, or heavy metal contamination common in other cosmetic categories.
The brand's record and disclosure
Augustius Bader is a prestige skincare brand owned by Procter and Gamble subsidiary umbrella. The brand does not publicly disclose full ingredient safety testing, third-party certifications (e.g., no published EWG verification, Leaping Bunny, or dermatological certifications on file), or chemical restriction policies beyond standard regulatory compliance. No significant safety recalls or adverse event patterns have been established for this product line in available databases. The brand's silence on PFAS and hazardous-substance reduction is typical for mainstream cosmetics but limits transparency.
How it compares in its category
Water-based moisturizers occupy the lower-hazard end of the skincare spectrum; this product is materially comparable to mass-market alternatives (Cetaphil, CeraVe, Neutrogena) in formulation risk profile. Prestige positioning does not meaningfully reduce chemical hazard but may correlate with slightly stricter manufacturing controls. This category carries lower overall risk than serums, foundations, or powder products that often contain talc, synthetic pigments, or fragrance sensitizers.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to preserve emulsion stability and prevent separation. Discard if the product separates, develops odor, or shows visible mold or discoloration, as unmaintained cosmetics can support bacterial growth. For sensitive skin, perform a patch test on inner forearm 24 hours before full-face application. Use within 12 months of opening to minimize oxidation of preservatives and emulsifiers.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Water-based moisturizers typically include fragrance compounds (parfum or essential oils); Augustius Bader products are fragrance-inclusive but ingredient list does not specify fragrance allergen subcomponents. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity or atopic dermatitis may experience contact dermatitis; no brand-specific allergy data is public.
Formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
No evidence of formaldehyde releasers (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) in standard Augustius Bader formulations; modern prestige brands typically use safer preservative systems (phenoxyethanol, potassium sorbate). Ingredient transparency is limited but this hazard is unlikely for this product tier.
Heavy metals in color additives or mineral fillers
This moisturizer is not a pigmented product and contains no disclosed mica, iron oxides, or mineral pigments. Water-based creams in this category do not typically accumulate lead, cadmium, or arsenic; no contamination events are on record for the brand.
Contamination during storage or use
Jar packaging (typical for prestige moisturizers) allows direct-finger contact and airborne microbial introduction. Emulsions without robust preservative systems can support mold or bacterial growth if lid seals degrade or storage is warm/humid. Brand does not specify preservative robustness or recommend airless pumps.
1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants)
Water-based formulations may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of ethoxylated emulsifiers or surfactants used in moisturizers. This is not a formulation choice but a processing contaminant; no specific testing for this product has been published. Risk is low but unconfirmed by brand.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Moisturizer
Tatcha
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Lower PFAS concern for a cosmetic moisturizer set, but Tatcha makes no public PFAS commitment.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
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plant oils, botanical extracts, glass bottle
Lower concern; facial oil with no known PFAS triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Lapis Balancing Facial Oil
plant oils, mineral pigments, glass bottle
Lower concern for PFAS; facial oil in glass, typical formulation poses minimal risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More moisturizer grades
How we score: every product runs through the same public 0–100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.