Cetaphil · Moisturizer
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Daily Face Cream
Lower concern, typical moisturizer without known PFAS triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
Cetaphil Deep Hydration Daily Face Cream is a conventional water-based facial moisturizer with common emollients (glycerin, petrolatum, dimethicone) and no waterproofing or stain-resistance claims that would signal PFAS use. The brand does not disclose PFAS status.
Shop Cetaphil on Amazon →Material
Water-based cream emulsion (glycerin, cetyl alcohol, petrolatum, dimethicone)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Cetaphil Deep Hydration is a water-based emulsion built on glycerin (humectant), cetyl alcohol (emulsifier, not the toxic ethanol type), petrolatum (inert occlusive), and dimethicone (silicone for slip). This formula class is designed to minimize irritation and is non-comedogenic. None of these base ingredients carry established heavy-metal, formaldehyde, or phthalate concerns at typical cosmetic concentrations.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cetaphil (owned by Galderma) has a decades-long track record as a dermatologist-recommended, hypoallergenic brand with no published recalls or contamination incidents for this product line. The brand does not publicly disclose full supply-chain transparency or third-party testing for heavy metals or contaminants. No formal certifications (cruelty-free, organic, etc.) are claimed for this product.
How it compares in its category
This moisturizer sits in the mass-market dermatological segment, competing with CeraVe and Eucerin. It uses fewer botanical extracts than luxury alternatives, reducing fragrance-allergen risk. The formula is more occlusive (petrolatum-heavy) than gel or fluid moisturizers, so it may feel heavier but poses lower evaporation and microbial contamination risk than water-forward products.
If you buy it
Store below 25C (77F) and keep the lid sealed to prevent water loss and bacterial colonization. Use within 12 months of opening. Discontinue if redness, burning, or unexplained irritation develops (rare; report to brand if severe). No special application precautions; safe for daily facial use including around eyes.
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 pigments or mineral contaminants
This product contains no colorants, mica, or mineral pigments. Lead and cadmium risks are negligible in water-based emulsions of this formulation type; no recalls or testing reports exist for Cetaphil Deep Hydration.
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
The product is labeled fragrance-free and unscented, but 'fragrance-free' does not guarantee absence of fragrance allergens used in raw materials (e.g., in cetyl alcohol). Sensitized individuals should patch-test. No specific fragrance allergen incidents reported for this line.
1,4-dioxane (surfactant contaminant)
This product uses minimal surfactants (cetyl alcohol is a fatty alcohol, not a synthetic surfactant), so 1,4-dioxane risk is low. However, no independent lab report on this product's dioxane content is publicly available; typical dermatological moisturizers in this class contain trace to undetectable levels.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Cetaphil Deep Hydration is not listed as containing formaldehydes or releasers (imidazolidinyl urea, dmdm hydantoin) in published ingredient disclosures. No recalls or safety alerts related to formaldehyde exist for this product.
Microbial contamination or bacterial growth during use
Water-based creams in opened containers can accumulate bacteria or mold if contaminated during application (e.g., wet fingers, storage in humid bathrooms). Risk is typical for the category and managed by proper lid hygiene and shelf life adherence.
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 Moisturizer
Tatcha
Starter The Ritual Set Ultra Hydrating For Dry Skin
Water-based cosmetic creams and serums; glass/plastic packaging
Lower PFAS concern for a cosmetic moisturizer set, but Tatcha makes no public PFAS commitment.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Orchid Facial Oil
plant oils, botanical extracts, glass bottle
Lower concern; facial oil with no known PFAS triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Lapis Balancing Facial Oil
plant oils, mineral pigments, glass bottle
Lower concern for PFAS; facial oil in glass, typical formulation poses minimal risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More moisturizer 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.