Aveeno · Moisturizer
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Cream
Lower concern, typical moisturizer formula with no known PFAS drivers, but no brand transparency.
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Cream is a water-based emulsion without intentional waterproofing or grease-resistance treatments that would require PFAS. The formula relies on common cosmetic ingredients (glycerin, silicones, mineral oil) that are not known PFAS sources.
Shop Aveeno on Amazon →Material
water-based moisturizer emulsion (glycerin, dimethicone, mineral oil)
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
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Face Cream is a water-based emulsion built around glycerin (a humectant that draws moisture to skin), dimethicone (a silicone that creates a protective barrier without occlusion), and mineral oil (an inert emollient). This combination is designed to hydrate without heavy greasing, and all three ingredients have extensive safety histories in cosmetics. The formula avoids heavy occlusives and known sensitizers, making it a straightforward moisturizer with minimal chemical complexity.
The brand's record and disclosure
Aveeno (Johnson & Johnson subsidiary) has no major product safety recalls or ingredient controversies on public record for this moisturizer line. The brand does not explicitly disclose PFAS absence or presence in marketing materials, and J&J has not made a public PFAS elimination commitment across its cosmetics portfolio. The product is not certified organic, hypoallergenic-labeled, or dermatologist-verified by independent bodies, though it is marketed as gentle.
How it compares in its category
Daily facial moisturizers at this price point typically use glycerin and silicones as core actives, making Aveeno's formulation standard for the mass-market segment. Compared to fragrance-heavy creams, this product is lightly scented (potential allergen concern in sensitive individuals, though no specific reactions are well-documented). It occupies a middle ground between drugstore basics and premium formulations, with similar safety profiles to competing brands like CeraVe and Cetaphil.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, damp face morning and night for best absorption. No heating or special storage precautions are required; standard cool, dry storage suffices. If irritation develops within the first week, discontinue use; this typically signals fragrance sensitivity rather than a safety failure. The product has a typical shelf life of 2-3 years unopened; discard if separation, discoloration, or odor change occur.
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
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing lists fragrance as an ingredient but does not disclose specific fragrance components. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity or essential oil allergies may experience contact dermatitis, though this is a user-specific reaction, not a product defect.
Mineral oil purity and microbial contamination
Mineral oil in cosmetics is USP-grade and does not support bacterial growth. No recalls or contamination reports exist for Aveeno's mineral oil sourcing or emulsion stability.
Dimethicone occlusion and comedogenicity
Silicones like dimethicone are non-comedogenic in most individuals but may trap bacteria or sebum in acne-prone skin. This is a known behavioral property of the ingredient, not a safety failure, and varies by individual skin type.
Heavy metal contamination in colorants or preservatives
This product contains no pigments, iron oxides, or talc. Preservative systems in Aveeno formulations are not publicly disclosed but are subject to FDA cosmetic safety oversight; no heavy metal violations are on record.
1,4-dioxane as synthetic surfactant byproduct
This moisturizer is not a rinse-off cleanser and contains no ethoxylated surfactants that generate 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Risk is not relevant to this product type.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 78% 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
Starter The Ritual Set Ultra Hydrating For Dry Skin
Water-based cosmetic creams and serums; glass/plastic packaging
Lower PFAS concern for a cosmetic moisturizer set, but Tatcha makes no public PFAS commitment.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Orchid Facial Oil
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.