Burt's Bees · Body Wash
Burt's Bees Baby Bee Shampoo & Wash
Lower PFAS concern for a rinse-off baby wash; no intentional water-repellent or nonstick chemistry expected.
Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash is a rinse-off liquid cleanser with no known PFAS-prone chemistry (no nonstick coatings, water-repellent coating treatments, or grease-resistance claims). The brand makes no PFAS disclosure either way.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
water, plant-derived cleansing agents, glycerin, natural oils
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
Burt's Bees Baby Shampoo & Wash is formulated primarily with water, plant-derived surfactants (sodium lauryl sulfate or similar botanical cleansers), vegetable glycerin, and natural oils such as apricot kernel or sunflower oil. The product contains no synthetic fragrance (uses natural essential oils or plant extracts for scent) and avoids common irritants like sulfates and parabens in the standard formulation. Because this is a rinse-off product applied briefly to skin and then washed away, systemic absorption of minor ingredients is minimal compared to leave-on cosmetics.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees, owned by Clorox, has cultivated a natural-cosmetics positioning and markets most products as derived from plant sources. The company does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or intentional PFAS use; this silence is consistent with their product line, which lacks water-repellent or nonstick claims that would require fluorinated compounds. The brand holds no major recalls or safety controversies specific to this baby wash in public databases. Third-party certifications are limited; the product is not organic-certified or dermatologist-tested in clinical studies they publish.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the premium-natural segment of baby cleansers, positioned above mass-market brands (Johnson's, Cetaphil) by emphasizing botanical ingredients but priced lower than certified-organic alternatives (Pipette, Babo Botanicals). Most competing baby washes in this tier similarly avoid parabens, sulfates, and synthetic dyes; Burt's Bees distinguishes itself by avoiding phenoxyethanol (a preservative some parents avoid). Formulae across this category are generally considered low-risk for acute toxicity in rinse-off use on infant skin.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place and check the expiration date before use; plant-oil formulations can oxidize or separate over time. Use only the recommended amount (about a coin-sized dollop) to reduce waste and avoid over-exposure to surfactants on delicate skin. If redness, rash, or irritation develops, discontinue use and consult a pediatrician; individual sensitivities to botanical extracts, while rare, are possible. Do not ingest; keep out of eyes, and rinse thoroughly if contact occurs.
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.”
Formaldehyde releasers or preservative irritants
Standard formulation does not list formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea); Burt's Bees typically uses phenoxyethanol or natural preservatives, neither of which are established concerns in rinse-off products at typical concentrations.
Fragrance allergens
Product uses natural essential oils and plant extracts for scent rather than synthetic fragrance compounds. Individual sensitivity to limonene, linalool, or other botanical fragrance compounds is possible but uncommon in infants; full fragrance ingredient disclosure is limited on packaging.
Heavy metals in plant-derived colorants or mineral additives
No intentional colorants or mineral fillers are listed in the standard formulation. Plant-oil and extract-based products carry minimal heavy-metal risk if sourced and processed without contamination, but third-party testing of raw materials is not publicly documented.
Surfactant-related skin irritation
Sodium lauryl sulfate, if present, is a mild irritant in high concentrations or prolonged contact; this product is designed for brief, rinse-off use, which minimizes risk. Infants with eczema or sensitive skin may experience mild irritation even at typical use concentrations.
Microbial contamination or growth in wet containers
Formulation includes preservatives to prevent bacterial or fungal growth in the sealed container. Once opened, standard liquid baby wash hygiene applies: keep the cap sealed, do not share applicators, and discard if discoloration or odor changes occur.
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 Body Wash
Cetyl
Dr Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap
saponified vegetable oils (castile base), no protective coatings
Lower-concern choice; simple castile soap formulation carries minimal PFAS risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Dr. Bronner's
Pure-Castile Liquid Soap
Plant-based soap (coconut, olive, palm oils); no coatings or treatments
Lower PFAS concern, uncoated liquid soap with no water- or stain-resistant treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
Dr. Bronner's
Dr Bronner's Baby Unscented Pure Castile Liquid Soap
Plant-based soap (coconut, olive, palm oils)
Lower PFAS concern, pure castile liquid soap has no typical vector for forever chemicals.
⚠Risky category by default
More body wash 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.