Honest Company · Hand Sanitizer
The Honest Company Hand Sanitizer Spray Free + Clear 4 Count 2 Fl. Oz. (8 Fl. Oz.)
Lower PFAS concern; standard alcohol-based hand sanitizer without PFAS-typical ingredients.
This is a simple aqueous hand sanitizer containing ethyl alcohol, water, and glycerin, none of which are typical PFAS carriers. Hand sanitizers in liquid form do not require water-repellent or stain-resistant treatments that might introduce PFAS.
Shop Honest Company on Amazon →Material
Ethyl alcohol (62%), water, glycerin
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 product is a straightforward ethyl alcohol (62%) solution combined with water and glycerin. Ethyl alcohol at 62% meets CDC effectiveness thresholds for hand sanitization. Glycerin is added as a humectant to reduce skin drying that occurs with high alcohol concentration. The simplicity of this formulation, absent of common problem additives like triclosan or fragrance cocktails, reduces exposure to volatile organics and sensitizing compounds.
The brand's record and disclosure
Honest Company markets itself on transparency and clean ingredient claims. The brand has not faced major recalls or safety controversies specific to hand sanitizer products in publicly available records. However, the brand's PFAS stance remains silent (no public statement on manufacturing practices or intentional PFAS avoidance), which is typical for consumer brands and does not indicate a hidden problem. Third-party certifications for this specific SKU are not widely documented.
How it compares in its category
Standard alcohol-based hand sanitizers dominate the market and are all roughly equivalent in efficacy at 60%+ ethyl or isopropyl alcohol. Honest's formulation is materially similar to generic drugstore alternatives. The main differentiation is brand positioning on gentler excipients (glycerin rather than perfumes or dyes) and marketing transparency, not chemistry. Non-alcohol sanitizers (benzalkonium chloride) exist but are less effective and carry different skin irritation profiles.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or flame (alcohol is flammable). Keep out of reach of children; ingestion is a poisoning risk. Use as directed on the label; no special maintenance is required for a spray bottle. Replace once the seal is compromised or contents have evaporated significantly. Do not apply to broken skin or eyes; rinse with water if contact occurs.
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.”
Flammability (ethyl alcohol carrier)
Ethyl alcohol at 62% is classified as flammable. This is a known property of all alcohol-based hand sanitizers and is managed through labeling and packaging. Risk is minimal in normal use but present if exposed to ignition sources.
Skin irritation or drying from high alcohol content
Repeated or prolonged exposure to 62% ethanol can strip natural skin oils. Glycerin is included to mitigate this, but individuals with sensitive or compromised skin barriers may still experience irritation or excessive drying with frequent use.
Ingestion toxicity (children)
Ethyl alcohol ingestion is toxic, especially for children. Hand sanitizer poisoning cases have been documented nationally. This is a storage and supervision hazard, not a product defect, but is relevant to household safety if small children are present.
Fragrance allergens (absent or minimal)
This product is labeled 'Free + Clear,' indicating absence of added fragrance. No common fragrance allergens are listed on the label, reducing sensitization risk compared to scented sanitizer alternatives.
Contamination during manufacture or storage
No recalls or contamination reports are on record for this specific product or recent Honest Company hand sanitizer lines. Standard manufacturing controls for alcohol-based products are well-established.
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.