Burt's Bees · Shaving Cream
Lot of 2 Burt's Bees For Men Cooling Shave Cream 5oz
Lower concern, standard cosmetic cream with no known PFAS triggers, but no explicit brand verification.
Burt's Bees shave cream is a water-based cosmetic emulsion without nonstick, water-resistant, or stain-guard treatments that typically require PFAS. The brand does not disclose PFAS information, nor does it make PFAS-free claims. No public lab data or recalls exist for this product line.
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Water-based cream; standard cosmetic emulsifiers and natural 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 For Men Cooling Shave Cream is a water-based emulsion combining water, plant oils (likely coconut or soybean), glycerin, and standard cosmetic emulsifiers to create a stable, pourable cream. The 'cooling' effect typically comes from menthol or peppermint oil, which produces a sensory cooling without temperature change. Water-based formulations are inherently lower-risk than oil-only products because they dilute concentrated chemicals and rely on gentle emulsifiers rather than heavy solvents or propellants.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox and markets itself on natural and minimalist ingredients, with ingredient lists publicly available on packaging and online. The brand does not make explicit PFAS non-use claims but has not faced recalls or regulatory warnings specific to shave creams. However, Burt's Bees does not publish third-party testing reports or independent certifications for heavy metals or synthetic contaminants in this product line.
How it compares in its category
Shave creams in this price and positioning tier typically contain similar water-emulsifier-oil bases; Burt's Bees sits in the mid-range of natural-leaning brands, above budget foams but below premium craft formulations. The cooling menthol angle is common and poses no specific hazard over non-menthol variants. Compared to aerosol shave foams, this pump-dispensed cream avoids pressurized propellants and is easier to inspect for texture changes signaling degradation.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent emulsion breakdown and separation. Discard if the cream separates, develops an off smell, or shows visible mold or discoloration, signs that the preservative system has failed. Patch-test on a small area of skin first if you have sensitive skin or history of fragrance reactions, as natural oils and menthol can trigger irritation in some users. A 5 oz container at typical use rates (pea-sized amount per shave) should last 2, 3 months before replacement.
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 and sensitizers
Burt's Bees formulations commonly include peppermint oil and essential oils as fragrance sources. These are natural but can trigger contact dermatitis or allergic reactions in sensitive individuals; no public incident reports for this specific product, but fragrance is a known irritant category in shave products.
Preservative adequacy and microbial growth
Water-based creams require preservative systems to prevent bacterial and fungal growth. Burt's Bees does not disclose specific preservatives in public summaries of this product; standard cosmetic preservatives (phenoxyethanol, parabens, or natural alternatives) are typically used but not verified on label excerpts available.
Heavy metals in plant-derived ingredients
Plant oils and botanical extracts can accumulate trace heavy metals (cadmium, lead) from soil. No recalls or third-party testing for Burt's Bees shave creams is on public record; risk is theoretical and typical for natural cosmetic brands without explicit metal testing disclosure.
1,4-dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Dioxane can form as a byproduct during manufacture of ethoxylated emulsifiers, which may be present in this water-based formulation. Burt's Bees does not publicly commit to dioxane removal or testing; the brand's natural positioning suggests some effort to minimize synthetic processing, but no explicit verification exists.
Container and packaging leachables
Standard plastic pump dispensers may leach trace plasticizers if stored in heat; no specific reports for Burt's Bees packaging. Pump containers are generally lower-risk than collapsible tubes because they isolate the product from air and light degradation.
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.
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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.