Burt's Bees · Hand Sanitizer
Hand Sanitizer Moisturizing & Sanitizing Spray with Citrus Essential Oils
Lower PFAS concern; typical cosmetic spray with no known water-repellent coating or stain-resist triggers.
Hand sanitizers and cosmetic sprays are not commonly formulated with PFAS, as they lack water-repellency and stain-resistance applications where PFAS tend to cluster. Burt's Bees does not disclose PFAS information on this product.
Shop Burt's Bees on Amazon →Material
Water, alcohol, essential oils, emollients (typical hand sanitizer formulation)
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 is a water-alcohol-based hand sanitizer with added emollients (likely glycerin or aloe) and citrus essential oils for scent and mild antimicrobial boost. The alcohol (typically 60-70% ethyl alcohol) is the active antimicrobial agent and evaporates quickly, leaving minimal residue. The essential oils are present in low concentration for fragrance and skin feel, not therapeutic benefit. Emollients prevent the drying effect common to high-alcohol products, reducing skin barrier damage with repeated use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees publishes ingredient lists transparently on product labels and websites, following FDA/cosmetic ingredient disclosure norms. The brand has no documented recalls or safety violations for hand sanitizers. Burt's Bees markets itself on natural ingredients and does not claim pharmaceutical or drug status for this product, avoiding the higher regulatory scrutiny of OTC antimicrobial drugs. No major toxicology controversies or third-party safety alerts are on record.
How it compares in its category
Hand sanitizer sprays sit in a lower-risk category than pump or gel formats because spray delivery is faster and residue exposure is brief. Burt's Bees version competes in the premium natural segment, avoiding ultra-cheap formulas that sometimes contain impure or undisclosed alcohols. It is less concentrated than clinical-grade sanitizers (e.g., 70% isopropyl alcohol) but meets consumer-grade antimicrobial expectations. The essential oil addition is cosmetic; it does not meaningfully reduce efficacy vs. unscented sprays.
If you buy it
Store upright in cool, dry conditions; alcohol evaporates if left open. Do not ingest or apply to eyes. Spray on hands, rub until dry (typically 20-30 seconds), and avoid touching face until fully dry if sensitive to essential oils. The product has no heating, cooking, or flame-exposure use case, so degradation over time is not a practical concern. Replace if the bottle leaks, degrades, or separates visibly. Safe for frequent daily use on skin.
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 (citrus essential oils)
Essential oils like limonene (from citrus) are established contact allergens in sensitive individuals. Prevalence is low, but hand sanitizers are applied frequently and directly to skin, increasing cumulative exposure. Burt's Bees does not list individual terpene components, only 'citrus essential oils,' so cross-reactivity risk cannot be fully assessed without product analysis.
Alcohol-induced skin barrier damage (chronic use)
High-frequency hand sanitizer use (especially during pandemic surges) has been documented to cause dermatitis, dryness, and eczema flares in some users. This product includes emollients to mitigate the effect, but it does not eliminate the risk. Individuals with pre-existing eczema or sensitive skin may experience worsening with daily use.
Methanol or contaminant alcohols (impurity risk)
Burt's Bees is a major brand with supply-chain oversight; no recalls or contamination events for this product are on record. However, some low-cost hand sanitizers sold in 2020-2021 contained methanol or other toxic alcohols. Burt's Bees products are tested and comply with FDA alcohol identity standards, so this is not a credible concern for this brand.
1,4-dioxane (cosmetic impurity)
1,4-dioxane is a common manufacturing byproduct in cosmetics containing ethoxylated emollients. Burt's Bees does not publish dioxane testing data, but the brand's small emollient content and natural positioning make high levels unlikely. No regulatory action or third-party testing has flagged Burt's Bees products for this contaminant.
Microplastic ingestion (rare, contamination-specific)
Hand sanitizers are not formulated with microbeads or exfoliants; microplastic risk is incidental (contamination during manufacturing or transport only). Burt's Bees operates facilities with quality controls. No microplastic contamination has been documented in this product category or brand.
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 Sanitizer
Seventh Generation
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water-based surfactants, plant-derived ingredients
Lower-concern choice; MADE SAFE certification and plant-based formula reduce PFAS risk significantly.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Seventh Generation
Hydrating Antibacterial Hand Mist
Water-based cosmetic spray (alcohol, water, plant extracts, preservatives)
Lower-concern choice; hand mist format and brand transparency reduce PFAS risk, though no dedicated lab testing published.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Honest Company
The Honest Company SANI SPRAY-2OZ-GRAPEFRUIT
Water-based formula (spray disinfectant)
Lower-concern buy; transparent brand with third-party backing on PFAS.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More hand sanitizer 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.