Burt's Bees · Sunscreen
Burt's Bees Sensitive Gentle Day Lotion
Lower-concern formula; no known PFAS-prone ingredients, but brand silence on PFAS practices leaves a small gap.
Burt's Bees Sensitive Gentle Day Lotion is a simple water-and-glycerin-based moisturizer with no surfactants, silicones, or water-repellent treatments that would trigger PFAS use. The ingredient list does not suggest fluorochemical coatings or stain-resistant additives.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
Water, glycerin, botanical extracts, emollients
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 product is a water-based emulsion combining glycerin (a humectant that draws moisture to skin), botanical extracts (chamomile, calendula, aloe), and emollients (oils/waxes) to soften and protect. The formula contains no known chemical UV filters (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are absent from typical formulations), so this is a moisturizer, not a true sunscreen despite the "day lotion" label. Water-based lotions carry minimal chemical leaching risk compared to oil-heavy or silicone products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox and markets itself on natural/plant-derived positioning with some third-party certifications (e.g., B Corp status discontinued as of 2021). The brand publishes ingredient lists transparently on packaging and websites. No major recalls or safety violations are on record for this product line. However, the brand has not issued public statements on PFAS avoidance in manufacturing or supplier practices, leaving a minor transparency gap typical of many personal care brands.
How it compares in its category
Gentle day lotions in this price range ($6-10) typically use similar water-glycerin-botanical bases. This formula is simpler and less chemically complex than moisturizers with silicones, dimethicone, or synthetic fragrances, which reduces potential for irritants. Compared to heavier creams or oil-based alternatives, it poses lower risk of occlusion or rancidity. The lack of true UV protection (SPF) means it cannot replace dedicated sunscreen for sun defense.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, damp skin for best absorption of humectants. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight (standard for any lotion with botanical extracts, which can degrade or oxidize). Patch-test on inner forearm first if you have sensitive skin or known allergies to botanicals (chamomile and calendula are mild allergens for some). Replace if you notice separation, discoloration, or odor changes, typically within 12 months of opening.
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 (botanical essential oils/extracts)
Chamomile and calendula are generally mild but documented as contact allergens in sensitive populations. Individual tolerance varies; no brand-level recalls are on record.
Botanical extract oxidation or microbial growth
Water-based formulas with plant extracts and minimal preservatives can degrade or support bacterial growth if stored in heat or humidity over time. Proper storage and timely use (within 12 months of opening) mitigate this.
Heavy metals in pigments or botanical sources
This product contains no artificial colorants or pigments. Botanical extracts can theoretically accumulate trace metals depending on soil sourcing, but no safety alerts or test results are published for Burt's Bees lotions.
Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives
Typical formulations use benzoic or sorbic acid preservatives, not formaldehyde-releasing agents. No ingredient disclosure on record suggests problematic preservative chemistry.
1,4-dioxane contamination from ethoxylated surfactants
Simple water and glycerin base with botanical emollients carries low risk of ethoxylation byproducts. No manufacturing concerns are documented for this brand in this product category.
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 Sunscreen
Goddess Garden
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen with credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Lower PFAS concern; mineral sunscreen with third-party verification and no known fluorochemical history.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), tin packaging
Lower-concern choice; mineral sunscreen + explicit PFAS-free positioning + third-party certs reduce risk.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More sunscreen 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.