La Mer · Moisturizer
LA MER Moisturizing Cream
Lower PFAS concern; no water-repellent coating or water-resistant treatment typical of cream formulas.
La Mer Moisturizing Cream is a traditional emollient moisturizer with no known Teflon-family coating coatings, nonstick treatments, or water-resistant finishes that would introduce PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims.
Shop La Mer on Amazon →Material
Water, mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin, wax, typical emollient cream 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
LA MER Moisturizing Cream is an oil-in-water emulsion built on mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin, and wax, all chemically inert occlusive and humectant agents with decades of safe cosmetic use. This formulation type does not require water-resistance coatings, surfactant packages, or synthetic preservatives that typically introduce problematic chemicals. The mineral and wax base means no volatile organic compounds off-gas significantly after application, and the cream sits on skin rather than penetrating systemically.
The brand's record and disclosure
Estée Lauder Companies (parent) has faced periodic scrutiny over fragrance transparency and ingredient disclosure practices, but LA MER specifically has no documented safety recalls or regulatory enforcement actions on record. The brand does not voluntarily publish PFAS testing or flame retardant sourcing statements, reflecting broader reluctance in the prestige skincare sector to disclose supply-chain chemical management. No third-party certifications (Clean Beauty, Made Safe, etc.) are marketed for this product.
How it compares in its category
High-end occlusive moisturizers like LA MER occupy a low-risk category relative to serums, tinted creams, or sunscreens, which introduce more preservative systems and mineral pigments. Compared to drugstore alternatives (Vaseline, Cetaphil), LA MER adds botanical extracts and trace actives but at comparable chemical hazard levels. Price does not correlate with safety here; formulation simplicity, not cost, drives the risk profile downward.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat to prevent separation or rancidity of mineral oils (though unlikely). Discard if you notice color shift, separation, or off-odor after opening. Patch test if you have fragrance sensitivity, as the brand uses fragrance compounds without full allergen disclosure. Containers are not typically recyclable; check local guidelines for proper disposal.
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 and undisclosed components
LA MER lists 'fragrance' as a single ingredient without itemizing constituent allergens (limonene, linalool, etc.), common in prestige brands. Sensitive individuals may react to undisclosed fragrance components; no hypoallergenic variant is marketed.
Mineral oil purity and heavy metal trace contamination
Pharmaceutical-grade mineral oils (the standard for cosmetics) are highly refined and not documented to carry lead or cadmium. No recalls or complaints linking LA MER mineral oil to metal contamination are on record.
1,4-dioxane as preservative byproduct
LA MER does not list ethoxylated surfactants or PEG-based preservatives that generate 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. The simple mineral oil and wax base requires minimal preservative chemistry, making this hazard unlikely.
Petrolatum and paraffin purity
Cosmetic-grade petrolatum is highly refined and meets FDA purity standards. No documented contamination with polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) is associated with this product or typical emollient-grade supplies.
Botanical extracts and botanical contaminants
LA MER includes seaweed extract and other botanicals without published heavy metal or microbial testing data. While botanical ingredients are low-risk in mature skincare, no transparency exists on supplier auditing or batch testing.
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 Moisturizer
Tatcha
Starter The Ritual Set Ultra Hydrating For Dry Skin
Water-based cosmetic creams and serums; glass/plastic packaging
Lower PFAS concern for a cosmetic moisturizer set, but Tatcha makes no public PFAS commitment.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Orchid Facial Oil
plant oils, botanical extracts, glass bottle
Lower concern; facial oil with no known PFAS triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Lapis Balancing Facial Oil
plant oils, mineral pigments, glass bottle
Lower concern for PFAS; facial oil in glass, typical formulation poses minimal risk.
⚠Risky category by default
More moisturizer 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.