Neutrogena · Moisturizer
Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer
Lower concern, standard facial moisturizer with no known PFAS drivers, but Neutrogena has not publicly disclosed PFAS testing.
Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer is a leave-on cosmetic without water-resistance claims, non-stick coatings, or stain-guard treatments, the main PFAS risk categories for personal care. The formula uses common emollients and silicones typical of moisturizers.
Shop Neutrogena on Amazon →Material
Water, glycerin, dimethicone, emollients, typical moisturizer 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
Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer is a water-glycerin-dimethicone emulsion, a chemically simple and widely used formulation in mass-market moisturizers. Glycerin is a humectant that draws water into skin, dimethicone is an inert silicone emollient, and the base is aqueous. None of these ingredients present established acute or chronic toxicity concerns at typical use concentrations in facial products.
The brand's record and disclosure
Neutrogena is owned by Johnson & Johnson, a company with mixed transparency records on chemical safety. Neutrogena has not publicly disclosed PFAS testing for this product line, and J&J has faced scrutiny on talc contamination and fragrance transparency in other product lines, though this specific moisturizer does not list talc as an ingredient. The brand does not highlight third-party certifications like EWG Verified or Clean Beauty standards for this product.
How it compares in its category
This is a baseline drugstore moisturizer with a simple, non-irritating formula typical of the mass-market segment. Compared to premium or clean-beauty alternatives, it lacks third-party safety certification and transparent ingredient sourcing disclosure, but its material composition (water, glycerin, silicone) is identical to many certified or marketed natural alternatives. It is less likely to contain fragrance allergens than scented moisturizers, which is a safety advantage.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, damp skin once or twice daily; no special storage or heating precautions apply to a water-based facial moisturizer. Do not ingest. If you have sensitive skin or known allergies to silicones (dimethicone), patch test first. Discontinue if redness, itching, or burning occurs and consult a dermatologist. Standard shelf life is 2-3 years; discard if separated, discolored, or odorous.
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
Product formulation does not list fragrance as a primary ingredient in publicly available labeling, but 'fragrance' may be present as a trace component in some batches under trade secret protection. Risk is lower than scented moisturizers but not zero.
Dimethicone buildup or irritation
Dimethicone is non-toxic and not absorbed through skin, but heavy layering over time may trap heat or cause occlusion in acne-prone skin; this is a use issue, not a toxicity hazard.
Microbial contamination
No recalls or contamination incidents on record for Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer. Standard preservative systems in commercial moisturizers prevent bacterial growth if the container is kept sealed and used with clean applicators.
Heavy metals in preservatives or colorants
No ingredients in the disclosed formula are known heavy metal carriers; Neutrogena is subject to FDA cosmetic manufacturing standards, which include limits on lead in color additives.
1,4-dioxane contamination
1,4-dioxane is a common trace contaminant in products containing ethoxylated ingredients; this product's exact surfactant profile is not fully disclosed, so trace 1,4-dioxane cannot be ruled out, though regulatory limits in the US are modest.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 75% 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.