Burt's Bees · Hand Soap
Burt's Bees Liquid Hand Soap Sea Salt Neroli
Lower concern, liquid soap has no water-repellent coating or stain-resist triggers; no public PFAS testing found.
Burt's Bees is a natural personal-care brand; this liquid hand soap contains no known PFAS-bearing materials like Teflon-family coating coatings or water/stain-resistant treatments. The brand does not market PFAS claims, and no third-party lab data is publicly available.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
aqueous solution with plant-derived surfactants
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 Liquid Hand Soap is formulated around plant-derived surfactants (typically coconut or other botanical oils) dissolved in water, rather than petroleum-based detergents. The product contains sea salt as an exfoliant and neroli (bitter orange blossom) as fragrance. This aqueous base chemistry means there is no polymer coating to degrade, no ceramic glaze with heavy-metal risk, and no fluorochemical water-repellency layer, all common hazards in other consumer categories. The main toxicological exposure pathway is skin contact during use, where systemic absorption of hand-soap actives is minimal because surfactants do not penetrate intact skin easily.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox and markets itself as a 'natural' brand, with many products carrying USDA Organic or similar certifications. The company publishes safety data sheets and ingredient lists transparently; third-party certifications (Leaping Bunny for cruelty-free status, EWG verification on some products) add credibility. No major product recalls, formaldehyde-releaser scandals, or heavy-metal contamination events are on record for this brand in the hand-soap category. However, the company does not formally disclose PFAS testing or a PFAS avoidance policy, so the 'silent' stance reflects lack of transparency rather than evidence of presence.
How it compares in its category
Liquid hand soaps are among the lower-risk personal-care products because they are dilute, rinsed off quickly, and contain few volatile or residual hazards. Burt's Bees positions at the 'natural' premium tier, meaning higher botanical content and fewer synthetic preservatives than mass-market brands. Compared to antibacterial soaps (which historically contained triclosan, now banned in the US), this product avoids that class of concern. Compared to bar soaps with antimicrobial claims or added metals, the liquid aqueous format is inherently simpler and lower-complexity from a contamination standpoint.
If you buy it
Use as directed: wet hands, apply, lather, rinse thoroughly. No special storage precautions are needed beyond keeping the bottle sealed and stored at room temperature away from direct sunlight (standard for liquid soaps). Do not ingest. If the product separates, discolors, or develops an off-smell, discontinue use, this can indicate microbial growth or preservative breakdown, though unlikely within normal shelf life. Replace every 6-12 months after opening or per manufacturer guidance. Plant-derived formulas are generally well-tolerated, but individuals with fragrance sensitivities or essential-oil allergies should patch-test first or choose unscented alternatives.
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 (neroli and other essential oils)
Neroli (bitter orange blossom) is a natural fragrance that can trigger contact dermatitis or sensitization in individuals with fragrance sensitivities or pre-existing eczema. No specific adverse-event cluster is on record for this product, but plant-derived fragrances are common allergens reported in hand-soap adverse-event databases.
1,4-dioxane (process contaminant in surfactants)
Plant-derived surfactants can occasionally contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Burt's Bees does not publicly disclose testing for this contaminant. Risk is low in aqueous rinse-off products, but cannot be ruled out without direct testing data.
Preservative efficacy and microbial growth
Natural preservative systems (common in Burt's Bees formulations) can be less robust than synthetic alternatives, potentially allowing bacterial or fungal growth if the bottle is contaminated or stored poorly. Proper closure and hygiene during use minimize this risk.
Heavy metals in botanical ingredients
No recalls or public test data indicate heavy-metal contamination in Burt's Bees hand soaps. Botanical sourcing and third-party certifications suggest reasonable supply-chain oversight, but full transparency on metal testing is not standard across the brand.
Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives
Burt's Bees markets itself as formaldehyde-free and avoids legacy preservatives like DMDM hydantoin. No evidence of formaldehyde-releaser preservatives in this product line; label and safety data typically reflect this commitment.
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.