Barbasol · Shaving Cream
Barbasol Pacific Rush Thick & Rich Shaving Cream
Lower PFAS concern for a simple aerosol shaving cream; no known fluorochemistry in typical formulation.
Barbasol Pacific Rush is a traditional aerosol shaving cream with no disclosed water-repellent, stain-resistant, or nonstick coatings that would trigger PFAS risk. The brand makes no PFAS claims either way.
Shop Barbasol on Amazon →Material
soap, water, stearic acid, propane/butane propellant
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
Barbasol Pacific Rush is a soap-based aerosol shaving cream propelled by butane and propane gases. The active ingredients are common soap, stearic acid (a fatty acid emulsifier), and water, with fragrance added for the 'Pacific Rush' scent. This is a straightforward formulation without the synthetic polymers, silicones, or complex emulsifiers that would introduce chemical stability concerns. Aerosol propellants at the concentrations used in shaving cream are not expected to pose inhalation risk during normal use (brief, localized application).
The brand's record and disclosure
Barbasol (owned by Edgewell Personal Care) has not published detailed ingredient transparency reports or pursued third-party certifications (e.g., EWG, Cradle to Cradle) for this product line. The brand has no documented recalls or major safety violations for shaving creams in the past decade. Barbasol maintains no public stance on PFAS avoidance or microplastic-free formulations, which is typical for legacy mass-market shaving brands but reflects limited proactive disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Barbasol's aerosol formula is middle-of-the-road for conventional shaving creams. It is simpler than premium gel-based or brushless cream alternatives, which often contain silicones and synthetic humectants. It lacks certifications that some competitors (e.g., EOS, Burt's Bees) use to signal ingredient vetting. For budget-conscious consumers, it sits at a lower-hazard baseline because fewer additives mean fewer chemical unknowns.
If you buy it
Store the aerosol upright at room temperature, away from heat sources or direct sunlight; pressurized cans can rupture if exposed to temperatures above 120F. Shake gently before each use to ensure even propellant mixing. The product has a shelf life of 2-3 years; replace if the spray pattern weakens or hisses more than normal (sign of propellant loss or seal failure). Discontinue use if any skin irritation develops; some users with sensitive skin may react to fragrance compounds, though this is uncommon.
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
Barbasol Pacific Rush contains added fragrance; the specific fragrance compounds are proprietary and not fully disclosed. While fragrance is a common irritant in personal care products, it is a recognized allergen for a small percentage of users with sensitive skin or fragrance sensitivity.
Propellant inhalation (butane/propane)
Butane and propane at typical aerosol concentrations (10-15% by weight) pose no documented inhalation hazard during brief, normal use. Prolonged or deliberate inhalation would be unsafe, but standard application for shaving carries negligible risk.
Skin irritation from soap base
Soap-based shaving creams can dry skin slightly, especially if used frequently or with hard water; this is not a chemical hazard but a physical property. Users with very sensitive skin may prefer glycerin-based formulas, but standard soap is non-toxic and widely tolerated.
Heavy metals in fragrance or colorants
No documented lead, cadmium, or antimony contamination in Barbasol shaving creams. The product contains minimal colorants; fragrance materials are typically not screened for heavy metals in conventional shaving creams, but absence of report suggests low risk.
Microplastics or exfoliants
This product is a simple aerosol foam and does not contain plastic beads or microbeads. No environmental or ingestion risk from microplastics.
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 Shaving Cream
Baxter of California
Barbe Set
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Lower concern, standard grooming tools with no known PFAS indicators, though brand discloses nothing.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Kiehl's
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Stainless steel blade; gel/cream formula (water, glycerin, botanical extracts)
Lower PFAS concern, standard razor and aftercare gel with no known PFAS triggers, but brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
Aesop
Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet with 60ml Serum and Lotion
water-based serum and lotion emulsions in glass/plastic bottles
Lower PFAS concern for this leave-on cosmetic; no special coatings flagged.
⚠Risky category by default
More shaving cream 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.