Cremo · Shaving Cream
Cremo Sensitive Shave Cream
Lower PFAS concern, standard shave cream with no known Teflon-family coating or water-resistant coating triggers.
Cremo Sensitive Shave Cream is a water-based cosmetic cream without nonstick, waterproofing, or stain-resistance treatments that commonly require PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims, but the product category and formulation type carry lower inherent risk.
Shop Cremo on Amazon →Material
Water-based shaving cream (glycerin, stearic acid base)
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 Sensitive Shave Cream is a water-based emulsion built on glycerin and stearic acid, which are common skin-conditioning and thickening agents found in most commercial shaving products. Unlike aerosol foams, this cream formulation avoids propellant gases and delivers lubricant through a pump dispenser. The absence of soap and reliance on glycerin makes it gentler on sensitive skin by reducing alkalinity that can irritate razor burn and post-shave inflammation.
The brand's record and disclosure
Cremo does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing statements or third-party safety certifications on their website. The company does not claim dermatologist testing or hypoallergenic status on the product label, though marketing emphasizes suitability for sensitive skin. No recalls or safety warnings have been issued for this product in FDA or CPSC records. Cremo's parent company has not taken a public stance on PFAS avoidance in personal care lines.
How it compares in its category
Cream-based shaving products generally carry lower chemical complexity than gel or aerosol formats; Cremo's water-based approach aligns with this lower-risk category. Competing brands like Gillette Foamy (aerosol) and Art of Shaving (premium cream) follow similar glycerin-stearate bases, making Cremo typical rather than exceptional. The 'Sensitive' variant typically omits fragrance and dyes that trigger irritation in standard formulations, placing it in the safer tier of mass-market options.
If you buy it
Apply a thin layer to damp skin and use within the product's labeled shelf life (typically 3 years unopened). Once opened, keep the pump dispenser clean and dry to prevent bacterial growth in the water-based base; replace if you notice odor or separation. Store below 25°C to maintain emulsion stability. Discontinue use if redness, burning, or rash develops and patch-test on inner forearm first if you have severe contact sensitivities.
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.”
1,4-Dioxane (solvent contaminant)
Water-based cosmetic creams may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a byproduct of ethoxylation in emulsifiers. Cremo does not disclose testing results for this contaminant; FDA considers it a probable human carcinogen at high doses, but cosmetic residues are typically far below regulatory concern.
Fragrance allergens
The Sensitive variant is fragrance-free by design. Standard Cremo formulas may include undisclosed fragrance components; no documented contact dermatitis cases linked to this product have been published.
Formaldehyde or formaldehyde releasers
No evidence that Cremo Sensitive Shave Cream contains formaldehyde-releasing preservatives. Water-based creams typically rely on phenoxyethanol or methylisothiazolinone, neither of which release formaldehyde.
Heavy metals in pigments
The Sensitive formula contains no added colorants, eliminating the risk of cadmium or lead in synthetic dyes. Standard versions use only approved colorants subject to FDA limits.
Bacterial or mold growth (packaging and use)
Water-based products are more susceptible to microbial contamination than anhydrous formulas if the pump dispenser is contaminated or left wet. Proper storage and hygiene during use mitigate this risk; replace every 12 months if stored in a damp bathroom.
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.