Cremo · Shaving Cream
Cremo Moisturizing Shave Cream, Coconut Mango - 6 oz | CVS
Lower-concern category; no PFAS-prone chemistry apparent, but brand offers no transparency.
Cremo's shave cream is a water-based cosmetic product with no known Teflon-family coating, water-repellent, or grease-resistant treatment triggers typical of PFAS use. The brand does not disclose PFAS information publicly.
Shop Cremo on Amazon →Material
water-based cream emulsion in cardboard tube
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
Cremo Moisturizing Shave Cream is a water-based emulsion dispensed from a cardboard tube, formulated with glycerin, coconut and mango fragrance compounds, and standard surfactants and preservatives. This class of product does not involve high-temperature application, skin penetration, or inhalation exposure in the way aerosol sprays or talc powders do. The water-based matrix and brief skin contact (rinsed after shaving) limit absorption risk for most ingredients.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cremo (owned by Prestige Consumer Healthcare) does not publicly disclose detailed ingredient sourcing, preservative choices, or fragrance allergen breakdowns on packaging or websites. No recalls or substantiated safety controversies have been documented for this product line. The brand does not advertise third-party certifications (e.g., EWG, hypoallergenic claims) for this shave cream, placing it in the mainstream personal-care category without additional assurance claims.
How it compares in its category
Cremo's cream sits midway in shave-product risk: safer than aerosol foams (no inhalation risk, no propellant hazards) but without the transparency of natural or certified organic brands. Compared to traditional bar soaps or specialty shaving soaps, it offers convenience but less ingredient control. Most conventional drugstore shave creams carry similar formulation profiles and undisclosed fragrance/preservative components.
If you buy it
Apply a thin layer to damp skin and rinse thoroughly with water after shaving; no heat exposure or extended contact needed. Store the tube at room temperature away from direct sunlight to preserve emulsion stability. Discontinue use if irritation or allergic reaction (redness, itching) develops; fragrance compounds and preservatives are common sensitizers. A 6 oz tube is typically consumed in 1-2 months with normal use; no special maintenance required.
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 (coconut and mango compounds)
Natural fruit fragrances and synthetic fragrance modifiers can trigger contact dermatitis or sensitization in individuals with fragrance allergies. The product does not disclose specific fragrance constituents (limonene, linalool, etc.), making individual risk assessment difficult.
Preservative-related irritation (formaldehyde releasers)
Water-based creams typically use preservatives such as methylisothiazolinone or formaldehyde releasers; while not inherently dangerous at dilute concentrations, these can cause scalp or facial irritation in sensitive users. No preservative type is specified on available product information.
Heavy metals in colorants or trace pigments
No established reports of heavy metal contamination in Cremo shave creams. This hazard class is more relevant to pigmented cosmetics (eyeshadows, foundations); shave creams typically use minimal colorants and are not ingested.
Bacterial or mold growth in opened product
Any water-based cream can support microbial growth if contaminated during use or stored in warm, humid environments. Cardboard tube design is less prone to contamination than open jars, but shared use or improper storage can degrade safety over weeks.
Skin irritation from surfactants or emulsifiers
Standard surfactants used in shave creams (sodium lauryl sulfate, cocamidopropyl betaine) can disrupt skin barrier or cause mild irritation, particularly on sensitive skin or if left on skin too long before rinsing.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% 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.