Johnson's Baby · Baby Lotion
Johnson's Baby Skin Nourish Moisturizing Baby Lotion
Lower PFAS concern for a basic lotion formulation, but brand offers no transparency.
Johnson's Baby Skin Nourish is a simple emollient lotion with no known PFAS-triggering ingredients (no water-repellent coatings, Teflon-family coating, or stain resistance claims). The formula relies on conventional moisturizers like petrolatum and glycerin.
Shop Johnson's Baby on Amazon →Material
Water, glycerin, petrolatum, mineral oil, emollients
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
Johnson's Baby Skin Nourish is a water-based emulsion centered on petrolatum (petroleum jelly), mineral oil, and glycerin, plus standard emulsifiers and preservatives. This is a conservative, occlusive moisturizer formula with minimal active compounds, which reduces the surface area for problematic additives. The lack of fragrances, essential oils, or complex botanical extracts lowers exposure to potential allergens or volatile compounds commonly found in richer lotions.
The brand's record and disclosure
Johnson & Johnson faced sustained criticism over talc-related asbestos litigation (settled in 2024), though this product line does not list talc as an ingredient. The brand has not published comprehensive ingredient sourcing or PFAS mitigation data, and maintains silent stance on PFAS "forever chemicals" despite their known prevalence in cosmetic emulsifiers. No established recalls specifically target this lotion formulation in recent public records.
How it compares in its category
Most commercial baby lotions share a similar mineral oil and glycerin base; Johnson's Baby Skin Nourish is a middle-market option without premium claims (organic, clean-beauty certifications, or third-party testing transparency). Competitors like Cetaphil or Aveeno offer comparable safety profiles but may include fragrance or botanical ingredients that increase allergen risk. This product's simplicity is its strength relative to heavily scented or medicated alternatives.
If you buy it
Use as directed on clean, damp skin to maximize water retention. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to prevent separation or rancidity of mineral oil components. No special replacement schedule is needed unless the product shows visible discoloration, separation, or odor change, which would indicate degradation or microbial contamination. Discontinue use immediately if the baby develops rash, redness, or signs of irritation and consult a pediatrician.
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.”
Formaldehyde releasers
Johnson's Baby products have historically used preservatives like diazolidinyl urea or imidazolidinyl urea, which can slowly release trace formaldehyde. Current formulation details are not fully disclosed; presence depends on specific preservative system used.
Fragrance allergens
This particular lotion is listed as fragrance-free or unscented, which eliminates a major class of contact allergens common in scented baby products.
Heavy metal contaminants (lead, cadmium, arsenic)
Mineral oil and petrolatum can carry trace heavy metal impurities from crude oil refining; regulatory limits exist but full third-party testing data for this specific product is not publicly available.
Microplastic shedding from packaging
The product is dispensed from a plastic pump bottle; no evidence of microplastics in the lotion itself, though plastic leaching risk is low at room temperature for short-term storage.
1,4-dioxane (non-intentional cosmetic contaminant)
Can form as a byproduct during manufacture of ethoxylated emulsifiers; not directly listed in typical baby lotion formulas, but presence depends on supplier and purification standards, which are not disclosed.
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 Baby Lotion
The Honest Company
Face Body Lotion
water, glycerin, plant oils, emulsifiers
Lower PFAS concern for this liquid cosmetic; brand claims and MADE SAFE badge support safe profile.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
The Honest Company
Honest Nourish Shampoo and Body Wash and Lotion Duo
aqueous surfactants, glycerin, plant extracts
Lower-concern choice; PFAS-free claim backed by third-party cert, though personal care is naturally low-risk category.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Tubby Todd
Bath Co. Sun Sets
water-based formulation, mineral & plant-derived actives
Lower-concern cosmetic; PFAS-free certified and no high-risk ingredients identified.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More baby lotion 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.