Burt's Bees · Sunscreen
Daily Defense SPF 30 Moisturizer
Lower concern; mineral sunscreen cosmetics rarely use PFAS, but Burt's Bees offers no public disclosure either way.
Daily Defense SPF 30 is a cosmetic moisturizer with mineral sunscreen, not a waterproof or water-resistant treatment likely to require PFAS coatings. Burt's Bees does not publicly disclose PFAS content or commit to PFAS-free status. No third-party PFAS testing or certification is publicly available for this product.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
water-based emulsion, mineral sunscreen actives, 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
Daily Defense SPF 30 uses mineral (non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) UV filters suspended in a water-based emulsion with plant oils, which is a lower-risk formulation compared to chemical sunscreens. Mineral actives do not metabolize systemically and sit on skin surface, eliminating concerns about hormone disruption or bioaccumulation. The water-based matrix means fewer organic solvents and reduced volatilization of fragrance or preservative compounds during storage or use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees markets products as natural and has certified organic status for several lines, but does not publish ingredient sourcing audits or third-party heavy-metal testing results for cosmetics. The brand has no known recalls or regulatory actions on this product. However, silence on PFAS presence in emulsifiers or film-formers is typical across the natural cosmetics space and does not indicate contamination, only lack of transparency.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens inherently avoid chemical UV absorbers (oxybenzone, avobenzone) that carry endocrine concerns, placing this product in the lower-hazard subset of the category. Compared to sunscreens with synthetic fragrance blends or silicone bases, the plant-oil emulsion reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing. Trade-off: mineral formulas are grittier and less elegant than chemical alternatives, but safety profile is better established.
If you buy it
Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to prevent emulsion breakdown, which could allow separation and uneven UV filter distribution. Do not apply to broken or severely irritated skin; mineral sunscreens can irritate open wounds due to particulate texture. Replace annually or if the texture becomes grainy, oily, or separates visibly. Reapply every two hours if swimming or sweating, as water-based formulas offer less water resistance than hybrid systems.
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.”
Heavy metals in mineral pigments (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Pharmaceutical-grade mineral sunscreen actives are regulated for purity in the US (FDA OTC monograph). No published contamination in Burt's Bees products; however, brand does not disclose third-party metal testing of finished formulas.
Fragrance allergen or sensitizer
Burt's Bees formulas typically include essential oils or botanical extracts for scent. While natural sources, these can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Specific fragrance constituents are not itemized on label, making individual allergen screening difficult.
Preservative-derived formaldehyde release (formaldehyde donor compounds)
Water-based emulsions require antimicrobial preservatives; Burt's Bees typically uses parabens or phenoxyethanol rather than formaldehyde-releasing agents. No recalls or contamination reports on file for this product.
Emulsifier or stabilizer leachables (if synthetic)
Plant-based emulsifiers (lecithin, polysorbates) used in natural sunscreens are generally recognized as safe for skin contact. However, polysorbate-derived PFAS or impurities are theoretically possible but not documented in this product line.
Talc contamination in powder or blended formulas
Daily Defense SPF 30 is a liquid moisturizer sunscreen, not a talc-based powder, so talc exposure risk is not applicable. Mineral actives (zinc/titanium oxides) are distinct from talc.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.