75/ 100
C
OverallD67/100
Burt's Bees Men's Shave Cream 6 oz 2 pk

Burt's Bees · Shaving Cream

Burt's Bees Men's Shave Cream 6 oz 2 pk

C · Moderate

Lower PFAS concern, a simple topical shave cream with no functional need for PFAS chemistry.

Verdict: BuySimple water-based formula with plant oils and minimal synthetics; no established safety concerns; lower PFAS profile.

Burt's Bees Men's Shave Cream is a rinse-off cosmetic with no known PFAS triggers. It contains water, plant oils, and typical emulsifiers, none of which require fluorochemicals for performance. Burt's Bees has made no public PFAS commitments, but the product category and formula do not suggest intentional PFAS use.

Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →

Material

Water, natural oils, plant-derived emulsifiers, minimal synthetic additives

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.

Hurts the grade

No PFAS disclosure

No public statement about PFAS in this product.

Hurts the grade

Safe base material

Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).

Helps the grade

The full breakdown

What it's made of and why it matters

Burt's Bees Men's Shave Cream is formulated primarily with water, natural plant oils (such as soybean and coconut), and plant-derived emulsifiers rather than synthetic surfactants or mineral oils. The brand avoids silicones, parabens, and phthalates in this line, which reduces exposure to endocrine disruptors common in conventional shaving creams. The minimal additive load means fewer synthetic preservatives or fragrance compounds to evaluate for skin irritation or sensitization.

The brand's record and disclosure

Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox and maintains a "natural" positioning with partial ingredient transparency on packaging and website. The brand does not publish comprehensive PFAS testing or statements, but the formulation does not rely on water-repellency chemistry that typically requires PFAS. No major recalls or safety controversies specific to this shave cream line are on record in FDA or CPSC databases.

How it compares in its category

Conventional shaving creams often contain synthetic fragrances, high levels of glycerin, and antimicrobial preservatives; this product's plant-oil base and simpler preservative system put it toward the cleaner end of the market. Compared to synthetic-heavy foaming creams or canned aerosols, the water-and-oil emulsion is gentler and does not require propellant gases. Trade-off: some users report less lather density than traditional canned shave gels.

If you buy it

Shaving cream is a rinse-off topical product with minimal systemic absorption, so short-term exposure hazards are low. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve oil stability and prevent rancidity. The 6 oz container should last 2-3 months with typical use; replace if odor or separation occurs. Discontinue use if redness or irritation develops, though allergic reactions to this formulation are uncommon.

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.”

Possible

Fragrance allergens

Burt's Bees uses 'natural fragrances' derived from essential oils and plant extracts; individual sensitivity to linalool, limonene, or other natural fragrance compounds is documented in dermatology literature, though prevalence in this product is unknown.

None known

Preservative safety (plant-derived systems)

This product likely uses natural preservatives such as tocopherol or essential oil extracts rather than synthetic paraben or formaldehyde releasers; no established safety concerns with this approach in rinse-off topical products.

Possible

Oil rancidity and microbial growth if stored improperly

Water-and-oil emulsions can separate or develop off-odors if exposed to heat or prolonged moisture; proper storage minimizes this, but product shelf-life is shorter than synthetic formulations.

None known

Heavy metals in natural plant ingredients

Burt's Bees does not disclose heavy metal testing for plant oil inputs; no recalls or regulatory findings for lead, cadmium, or mercury in this product are on record.

None known

1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde releasers

The brand's avoidance of synthetic surfactants and traditional preservatives makes presence of these contaminants unlikely; however, no independent testing data are publicly available to confirm absence.

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 Shaving Cream

Baxter of California Barbe Set

Baxter of California

Barbe Set

Stainless steel, brushes, standard cosmetic packaging

B
F
PFASAll
B · Low PFAS4 flags

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

Kiehl's

Close Shavers Squadron Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief

Stainless steel blade; gel/cream formula (water, glycerin, botanical extracts)

B
B
PFASAll
B · Low PFAS1 flag

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

Aesop

Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet with 60ml Serum and Lotion

water-based serum and lotion emulsions in glass/plastic bottles

B
C
PFASAll
B · Low PFAS2 flags

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.