Burt's Bees · Hand Soap
Burt's Bees Foaming Sweet Clementine Hand Soap
Lower concern, liquid hand soap formulation carries minimal PFAS risk.
Burt's Bees Foaming Sweet Clementine is a plant-based liquid hand soap with no known PFAS-containing ingredients, coatings, or water-repellent treatments. The brand does not disclose PFAS testing, but the product category (simple wash-off cosmetic) and ingredient transparency are consistent with lower exposure risk.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
Water, plant-derived surfactants, glycerin
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 Foaming Sweet Clementine is formulated with water, plant-derived surfactants (typically sodium lauryl sulfate or similar botanical alternatives), and glycerin as a humectant. This liquid soap base carries minimal risk for heavy metal accumulation or microplastic contamination compared to solid or bar formulations. The absence of microbeads and reliance on simple botanical detergents rather than synthetic polymers reduces exposure to problematic breakdown products during use and disposal.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees publishes ingredient lists transparently and holds USDA organic certification for many product lines, though this specific item is not certified organic. The brand has not faced major recalls or documented safety controversies related to hand soaps. While the company does not explicitly market PFAS-free formulations, its ingredient transparency and avoidance of heavy synthetic additives align with lower contamination risk in this category.
How it compares in its category
Foaming hand soaps are generally safer than bar soaps in terms of bacterial growth risk during storage, since the pump dispenser limits air exposure. Burt's Bees positions itself at the mid-premium end, competing against brands like Seventh Generation and Dr. Bronner's; its botanical focus is comparable but certification depth is less extensive than some competitors. As a liquid formula without antimicrobial additives (triclosan/triclocarban), it avoids regulatory concerns tied to those agents.
If you buy it
Store the bottle away from direct heat and sunlight to preserve the plant-derived surfactant stability. Use the product as directed; foaming soaps are pre-diluted, so diluting further reduces cleaning efficacy without safety benefit. Replace when empty or if the formula separates visibly, which signals degradation of botanical components. No special maintenance beyond standard hand hygiene is required.
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
Clementine fragrance may include natural essential oil components or synthetic fragrance compounds; individuals with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies should patch-test. Burt's Bees does not publish full fragrance ingredient breakdowns, which is typical for proprietary formulations but limits transparency.
Formaldehyde releasers
No formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are disclosed in publicly available ingredient information. Plant-based soaps typically rely on natural preservation or safer synthetic alternatives.
Heavy metals in colorants or pigments
Foaming hand soaps use minimal coloration; ingredient transparency does not indicate synthetic azo dyes or pigments known to harbor cadmium or lead. The formulation appears to rely on natural colorants or simple cosmetic-grade dyes.
Bacterial contamination during use
Foaming pump design and soap's inherent antimicrobial properties (surfactants kill bacteria) minimize pathogenic growth risk compared to bar soaps or poorly maintained dispensers. Standard hand washing hygiene applies.
Skin irritation from surfactant concentration
Plant-derived surfactants can still cause mild irritation or dryness in sensitive populations, particularly with frequent use. Glycerin inclusion mitigates this, but individuals with compromised skin barriers should monitor use.
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 Hand Soap
Ecos
Orange Hand Soap
Plant-based surfactants, water, essential oils (orange)
Lower concern, solid plant-based formula with credible third-party oversight; no PFAS-prone materials.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hand Wash, Free Clean
aqueous surfactants, botanicals, water-based formula
Lower PFAS concern; buy with confidence if skin-sensitivity is a priority.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Liquid Hand Soap Free & Clean
Water-based liquid soap formulation
Lower-concern choice; no PFAS expected in liquid soap format, but verification limited to brand claims.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More hand soap 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.