Burt's Bees · Body Wash
Burt's Bees Baby Calming Shampoo Wash
Lower concern; liquid baby shampoo lacks typical PFAS application vectors.
Burt's Bees Baby Calming Shampoo is a rinse-off liquid cosmetic with no disclosed PFAS concerns or waterproofing/stain-resistance treatments that would necessitate fluorochemicals. The brand does not claim PFAS-free status, but the product category (gentle baby wash) and known formulation approach carry lower inherent risk.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
aqueous liquid cosmetic (surfactants, water, 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 is an aqueous surfactant-based wash containing water, mild cleansing agents (typically sodium lauryl sulfoacetate or similar gentle surfactants), and botanical extracts like chamomile and clary sage marketed as calming. The liquid format eliminates concerns about talc contamination or heavy-metal pigments found in powders or colored cosmetics. Absence of emulsifying waxes or silicones reduces likelihood of problematic film-forming additives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees maintains certification by the Personal Care Products Council and markets a 'natural' positioning, though does not publish full ingredient safety data sheets or third-party heavy-metal testing. The brand has no major recalls or formaldehyde-releaser controversies on public record. However, the company does not disclose PFAS testing results or manufacturing standards, leaving that exposure pathway unverified for this specific product.
How it compares in its category
Baby body washes in this category (Cetaphil, CeraVe, Mustela) face similar regulatory scrutiny under FDA cosmetic guidelines. Burt's Bees positions at a premium price point with botanical claims but does not outpace competitors in third-party certification depth. Most competing brands also lack published PFAS or heavy-metal test results, making category-wide comparison inconclusive.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent degradation of botanical extracts. Use only externally on intact skin; avoid contact with eyes. Replace if the product shows visible separation, off-smell, or discoloration, as preservative efficacy may decline. For infants under 3 months, consult pediatrician, as even mild surfactants can disrupt skin barrier in premature or extremely sensitive neonates.
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.”
1,4-dioxane contamination (residual from surfactant synthesis)
Mild surfactants used in baby washes may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Burt's Bees does not publish testing data confirming absence; absence of disclosure does not confirm safety, only lack of transparency.
Fragrance allergens (lavender, clary sage extracts)
Natural fragrance compounds in calming formulas are established skin sensitizers in some infants. The product is scented; parents with family history of fragrance sensitivity should patch-test on wrist first.
Microorganism growth in liquid format
Aqueous cosmetics require preservative systems to prevent bacterial or mold colonization, especially in bathrooms with high humidity. If preservative concentration is suboptimal or product is stored above 25°C, shelf-life can shorten; no expiration date is typically printed on bottles.
Heavy metals in botanical colorants or mineral additives
No recalls or testing reports have surfaced for lead, cadmium, or arsenic in Burt's Bees baby shampoo. However, the brand does not publish third-party heavy-metal assays, so absence of reports reflects lack of disclosure, not verified safety.
Eye irritation from surfactant base
All anionic surfactant-based baby washes carry inherent risk of ocular stinging if splashed directly into eyes. This is product-class risk, not brand-specific, but remains the most common adverse event for infant cleansing products.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 82% 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.