Burt's Bees · Hand Sanitizer
The Naked Bee Orange Blossom Honey Hand Sanitizer
Lower concern for PFAS; typical rinse-off cosmetic with no documented PFAS triggers.
This is a liquid hand sanitizer, a rinse-off cosmetic with no nonstick, water-repellent, or grease-resistant treatment typical of PFAS use. Burt's Bees makes no PFAS claims, but the product category and formulation (alcohol, honey, oils) carry no known PFAS-prone ingredients or processing steps. No independent lab data or recalls exist.
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aqueous hand sanitizer (alcohol, honey extract, botanical 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
This is an aqueous hand sanitizer formulated with alcohol (the active antimicrobial agent), honey extract, and botanical oils including orange blossom. The alcohol content typically ranges 60-70% by volume, which is the active ingredient that kills germs on contact. Honey and plant oils are added for skin conditioning and fragrance, not as active safety ingredients. Because it is a rinse-off product applied briefly to hands and then washed away or air-dried, dermal absorption and systemic exposure are minimal.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox and markets itself as a natural personal care brand with certification from the Personal Care Products Council. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS use or testing for this product category. Burt's Bees has no major safety recalls or documented compliance violations on record for hand sanitizers. The brand does not claim to be PFAS-free, but given the simple alcohol-water formulation and lack of Teflon-family coating or surfactant technologies, intentional PFAS addition is unlikely.
How it compares in its category
Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are the standard antimicrobial approach post-2020 and carry lower chemical complexity than antimicrobial soaps containing triclosan or triclocarban (now restricted by FDA). Burt's Bees sanitizers occupy the premium natural segment, so they avoid synthetic fragrances and dyes more common in mass-market brands. Compared to gel or foam formulas, this aqueous form reduces thickeners and gelling agents that could introduce additional leachables, making it a simpler composition overall.
If you buy it
Apply to hands and rub until dry; no rinsing required, though hand-washing with soap and water is still more effective for gross contamination. Store away from heat (above 85-90F alcohol may evaporate and reduce efficacy) and out of reach of children and pets, as ingestion of hand sanitizer is toxic. Replace if the product separates, smells off, or is visibly discolored. Use as directed on the label and do not ingest, inhale vapors directly, or apply to broken 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.”
Ethanol (alcohol) ingestion risk in children
Hand sanitizers containing 60-70% ethanol pose a poisoning risk if ingested, especially for young children and toddlers. This is a known public health concern documented by poison control centers and the CDC, not specific to this brand but inherent to the product category.
Skin irritation or sensitization from fragrance and botanical oils
Orange blossom extract and other botanicals can trigger contact dermatitis or fragrance sensitivity in individuals with sensitive skin or existing eczema. Burt's Bees formulations are generally mild, but fragrance is a known allergen class and individual responses vary.
1,4-dioxane contamination in fragrance compounds
Botanical extracts and fragrance blends used in cosmetics can contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of ethoxylation during manufacturing. Burt's Bees does not publicly disclose testing for 1,4-dioxane; levels in hand sanitizers are typically low due to volatilization of alcohol, but cannot be ruled out without third-party testing.
Heavy metals in plant-derived pigments or colorants
No colorants or pigments are listed in the Orange Blossom formula, and this product appears to be clear or pale yellow from the active ingredients alone. No documented heavy metal concerns for this specific product.
Alcohol evaporation and product degradation
Prolonged exposure to heat or sunlight can cause alcohol to evaporate, reducing the antimicrobial efficacy over time and potentially concentrating other ingredients. Store in a cool, opaque container to maintain potency.
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
Hand Wash Natural Seventh Generation
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.