Cremo · Shaving Cream
Cremo Moisturizing Shave Cream
Lower concern shave cream, no PFAS-prone formulation triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
Cremo's moisturizing shave cream is a water-based emulsion without nonstick coatings, waterproofing, or stain resistance, key PFAS application areas. No public evidence of PFAS in the formula.
Shop Cremo on Amazon →Material
Water-based cream (glycerin, stearic acid, potassium hydroxide emulsion)
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
Cremo Moisturizing Shave Cream is a water-based emulsion built on glycerin (humectant), stearic acid (thickener/emollient), and potassium hydroxide (pH buffer). This chemistry is conventional for modern shave creams and does not rely on problematic preservatives, heavy metal pigments, or volatile solvents typical of older formulations. The absence of soap-based alkaline irritants in favor of a glycerin-rich base reduces skin irritation risk for sensitive users.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cremo does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing, heavy metal testing, or allergen certification on its website or packaging. The brand has not faced significant safety recalls or regulatory action on this product line. However, the company offers no third-party certifications (e.g., dermatologist testing claims are unverified by independent bodies), and fragrance ingredients are listed only as 'fragrance blend' without component disclosure, which obscures potential allergen triggers.
How it compares in its category
Cremo sits in the mid-market shave cream segment. It avoids the formaldehyde-releaser preservatives and synthetic musk compounds found in some budget brands, but lacks the transparency and hypoallergenic certifications of premium or natural alternatives like Aesop or Dr. Bronner's. Its water-based approach is safer than aerosol foam formulations, which carry higher inhalation risk and often contain propellants with poorly disclosed contaminants.
If you buy it
Store the container at room temperature away from direct sunlight, as glycerin-based creams can separate in heat. Use within 12 months of opening to avoid degradation of preservative efficacy. If you experience skin redness, burning, or itching beyond normal shaving irritation, discontinue use and patch-test with a small amount on clean skin first. The cream should feel smooth and homogeneous; discard if you notice separation, grittiness, or odor changes.
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 (undisclosed components)
Cremo lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without naming components. Common fragrance allergens (e.g., limonene, linalool, geraniol) may be present and can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. No patch test data is publicly available for this specific fragrance blend.
1,4-dioxane (solvent/preservative contaminant)
Water-based formulations with glycerin and potassium hydroxide are not typical vehicles for 1,4-dioxane. No recalls or test reports document this contaminant in Cremo shave cream, but brand does not publish independent lab analysis.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives
Cremo's published ingredient list does not include formaldehyde, imidazolidinyl urea, dmdm hydantoin, or other known formaldehyde releasers. Water-based emulsions typically use gentler preservative systems (likely phenoxyethanol or similar), but full preservative identity is not disclosed.
Heavy metals in colorants/pigments
Shave creams are leave-on products with limited skin contact duration and rarely use inorganic pigments that carry lead or cadmium risk. No regulatory warnings or test data flag metallic contamination in this product.
Skin sensitization from potassium hydroxide concentration
Potassium hydroxide is a mild alkali used to neutralize stearic acid and control pH. At typical use concentrations in emulsified creams (under 1%), it poses minimal acute irritation risk, but individuals with very sensitive or compromised skin barrier may experience mild stinging. Final pH of the formulation is not published.
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 Shaving Cream
Baxter of California
Barbe Set
Stainless steel, brushes, standard cosmetic packaging
Lower concern, standard grooming tools with no known PFAS indicators, though brand discloses nothing.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Kiehl's
Close Shavers Squadron Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief
Stainless steel blade; gel/cream formula (water, glycerin, botanical extracts)
Lower PFAS concern, standard razor and aftercare gel with no known PFAS triggers, but brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
Aesop
Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet with 60ml Serum and Lotion
water-based serum and lotion emulsions in glass/plastic bottles
Lower PFAS concern for this leave-on cosmetic; no special coatings flagged.
⚠Risky category by default
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.