Burt's Bees · Shaving Cream
Burt's Bees Men's Natural Skin Care Shave Cream
Lower concern, no PFAS-typical triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
Burt's Bees Men's Shave Cream is a rinse-off personal care product without nonstick, waterproofing, or stain-resistance coatings that typically require PFAS. The formulation uses natural waxes and oils rather than synthetic Teflon-family coating.
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Water-based cream with natural botanicals (beeswax, plant 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 Men's Shave Cream is a water-based emulsion built around beeswax, plant oils (likely coconut or jojoba), and botanical extracts rather than synthetic surfactants or petroleum distillates. This formulation avoids high-concentration anionic sulfates (SLS/SLES) common in mass-market shave gels, which reduces skin irritation risk for sensitive users. The absence of aerosol propellant eliminates inhalation exposure concerns tied to volatile hydrocarbons. Water-based systems are inherently lower-risk for volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing compared to alcohol-heavy or synthetic-heavy alternatives.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees has built reputation on 'natural' positioning and holds B Corp certification, which requires third-party social and environmental audits. However, the brand does not publish full ingredient sourcing transparency or heavy-metal testing data for pigments or botanical extracts. The company has not faced significant product recalls or regulatory actions for men's shave products on record. No public commitment to PFAS elimination has been stated, though water-based formulas inherently reduce PFAS carrier risk compared to silicone or Teflon-family coating-based cosmetics.
How it compares in its category
Conventional shave creams (Gillette Foamy, canned gels) rely on aerosolized surfactants and hydrocarbon propellants; this product's cream format avoids those vectors. Compared to premium natural alternatives (e.g., Taylor of Old Bond Street, Dr. Bronner's), Burt's Bees offers similar botanical base but with less documented ingredient verification and no explicit heavy-metal or microbial testing claims. It sits in the mid-tier of ingredient transparency for the 'natural shave' category.
If you buy it
Store in cool, dry conditions; beeswax and plant oils can separate or oxidize if exposed to direct sunlight or heat above 75 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. Patch-test on inner forearm if you have sensitive skin, as botanical extracts can trigger contact dermatitis in a small percentage of users. Replace if the product develops rancid odor (sign of oil oxidation) or visible mold. Use within 12-18 months of opening to minimize microbial growth risk in the jar.
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 (synthetic contaminant)
Water-based emulsion systems can contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct if ethoxylated emulsifiers were used; Burt's Bees does not publish third-party testing to rule this out. Risk is low compared to synthetic foaming shave gels, but unverified.
Heavy metals in botanical extracts
No recalls or reported contamination for this specific product. Plant ingredients (beeswax, oils) can accumulate cadmium or lead if sourced from polluted soil, but Burt's Bees' B Corp status implies baseline supplier audits; heavy-metal testing data not publicly available.
Fragrance allergens (botanical essential oils)
Product contains botanical extracts and likely essential oils; limonene, linalool, and other natural fragrance components are established skin sensitizers for 1-3 percent of users. Brand does not list individual fragrance constituents on packaging.
Microbial contamination (preservative system)
Cream format with water content requires preservatives (likely benzoic acid or phenoxyethanol); no preservative recalls on record. Risk increases if jar is left open or contaminated with wet fingers, but product formulation is standard for this category.
Oxidative rancidity in plant oils
Unpreserved or lightly preserved plant oils can oxidize into peroxides and aldehydes over time; this degrades product smell and can increase skin irritation risk. Stability depends on storage conditions and shelf age at retail; no published shelf-life testing by brand.
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 Shaving Cream
Baxter of California
Barbe Set
Stainless steel, brushes, standard cosmetic packaging
Lower concern, standard grooming tools with no known PFAS indicators, though brand discloses nothing.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Kiehl's
Close Shavers Squadron Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief
Stainless steel blade; gel/cream formula (water, glycerin, botanical extracts)
Lower PFAS concern, standard razor and aftercare gel with no known PFAS triggers, but brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
Aesop
Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet with 60ml Serum and Lotion
water-based serum and lotion emulsions in glass/plastic bottles
Lower PFAS concern for this leave-on cosmetic; no special coatings flagged.
⚠Risky category by default
More shaving cream 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.