Burt's Bees · Sunscreen
BB Cream SPF 15 Burt's Bees
Lower concern, conventional cosmetic formula with no known PFAS-prone ingredients, but Burt's Bees does not publicly commit to PFAS-free sourcing.
Burt's Bees BB Cream SPF 15 uses standard mineral and plant-based cosmetic ingredients typical of non-waterproof face products, which rarely require PFAS water repellents. The brand has not published PFAS disclosure or testing data, and no independent lab results are public.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
Water-based emulsion with mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) and botanical extracts
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
This BB cream uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as physical UV blockers rather than chemical absorbers, which reduces systemic absorption risk. Water-based emulsion with botanical extracts (likely aloe, chamomile) and minimal synthetic preservatives. The mineral sunscreen approach is inherently lower-risk for endocrine or photoallergy concerns, though particle size and dispersion matter for efficacy and potential inhalation if applied as loose powder (this is a cream, so inhalation risk is negligible).
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees markets itself as natural and paraben-free, with long-standing transparency on ingredient sourcing. No major recalls or contamination incidents on record for this product line. However, the brand does not publish independent third-party safety testing or explicit commitments to heavy-metal limits, fragrance allergen screening, or talc avoidance. Parent company Clorox acquired Burt's Bees in 2007; safety standards follow conventional cosmetic regulation rather than premium independent certification.
How it compares in its category
BB creams span a wide range; mineral-based sunscreens are generally considered safer than chemical UV absorbers (avobenzone, oxybenzone). Burt's Bees sits in the accessible mainstream tier, not as rigorously tested as prestige dermatological brands but with better disclosure than budget drugstore equivalents. SPF 15 is modest; most dermatologists recommend SPF 30+, so this product is best used as a base tint rather than sole sun protection.
If you buy it
Apply generously and reapply every 2 hours if outdoors (SPF 15 is not sufficient for extended sun exposure without reapplication). Store in a cool, dry place; mineral sunscreen formulas are stable but heat can degrade botanical extracts. No heating required for use, so no inhalation risk. Patch test first if you have sensitive skin or fragrance allergies, as botanical extracts can trigger contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.
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.”
Heavy metals in mineral pigments (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as cosmetic-grade sunscreen actives are well-regulated and do not bioaccumulate in typical topical use. No contamination incidents reported for this product. Risk is theoretical and only relevant at extreme dermal absorption, which is minimal for physical blockers.
Talc or silicate contamination
Burt's Bees does not advertise talc in this formula and the ingredient list does not suggest its presence. No recalls or documented talc findings in this BB cream line.
Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives
While Burt's Bees avoids parabens, the full preservative system is not always disclosed on the public label. Botanical extracts may require weak antimicrobial support; imidazolidinyl urea or DMDM hydantoin (formaldehyde releasers) are not listed but cannot be ruled out in minor ingredients. Most likely absent given the brand's natural positioning, but not independently verified.
Fragrance allergens and essential oil irritation
Botanical extracts and fragrance components (likely from natural essential oils) can trigger allergic contact dermatitis or sensitization, especially in individuals with pre-existing fragrance sensitivity. Burt's Bees does not itemize fragrance allergens on the label, only 'fragrance' or botanical names.
Photocatalytic reactivity of titanium dioxide nanoparticles
Cosmetic-grade titanium dioxide used in sunscreens is not typically in nanoparticle form and is surface-coated to prevent photocatalytic activity. This product is a cream emulsion, not a loose powder, further minimizing inhalation or systemic exposure risk.
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 Sunscreen
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Lower-concern mineral sunscreen with credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Lower PFAS concern; mineral sunscreen with third-party verification and no known fluorochemical history.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), tin packaging
Lower-concern choice; mineral sunscreen + explicit PFAS-free positioning + third-party certs reduce risk.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More sunscreen 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.