Neutrogena · Moisturizer
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle Face & Body Moisturizing Cream
Lower concern, moisturizing creams lack common PFAS drivers, but brand makes no transparency statement.
Neutrogena Ultra Gentle is a simple water-oil emulsion cream with no inherent need for PFAS-based stain resistance, water repellency, or nonstick coatings. The brand does not disclose PFAS status, which is typical for the skincare category. No public lab testing or third-party verification exists for this product, limiting certainty.
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Water-based cream emulsion (glycerin, water, mineral oil, humectants)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This is a simple oil-in-water emulsion: water, glycerin (humectant), mineral oil (occlusive), and standard emulsifiers. The formula lacks volatile compounds, high-temperature processing, or synthetic colorants that typically trigger cosmetic safety flags. Mineral oil is inert and non-absorbable, making it a conservative choice; glycerin is a well-established humectant with no known toxicity at consumer concentrations.
The brand's record and disclosure
Neutrogena (Johnson & Johnson owned) has a mixed transparency record. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient sourcing or PFAS avoidance statements on this product line. However, no recalls, contamination findings, or regulatory actions specific to this moisturizer are on record. The product is labeled hypoallergenic and fragrance-free, which reduces irritant and allergen exposure.
How it compares in its category
This product sits in the mainstream dermatological moisturizer space alongside CeraVe and La Roche-Posay formulations. Those competitors often advertise ceramide or niacinamide additions; this Neutrogena variant is simpler and cheaper but lacks marketed active ingredients. The stripped-down formulation reduces complexity-related risks, though marketing positioning differs.
If you buy it
Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to prevent emulsion breakdown. Dispense with a clean applicator or hands to minimize bacterial introduction, especially if you have broken skin. Replace annually or sooner if separation, discoloration, or odor develops. For sensitive or compromised skin, patch test first, though fragrance-free status lowers reaction likelihood.
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.”
Heavy metals in pigments or mineral components
This product contains no added colorants or pigments. Mineral oil used as an emollient is food-grade in many formulations and carries minimal heavy-metal risk; no contamination events reported for Neutrogena's mineral oil sources.
Formaldehyde releasers or preservative allergens
The ingredient list is not fully disclosed in public summaries, but fragrance-free claims and hypoallergenic labeling suggest avoidance of common formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea). If present at all, phenoxyethanol or similar modern preservatives are more likely; no reported sensitivization events specific to this line.
1,4-dioxane contamination in emulsifiers
Water-based creams with polysorbate or PEG-based emulsifiers can harbor trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct. Neutrogena does not publish dioxane testing data for this product; however, regulatory limits in the EU and voluntary industry standards (generally <10 ppm) apply. Risk is low but not verified absent for this specific batch.
Talc contamination or asbestos risk
This cream formulation does not list talc as an ingredient, eliminating talc-related asbestos contamination risk. Mineral oil is the primary dry-feel agent.
Microbial growth if container breached or poorly maintained
Water-based creams are susceptible to mold and bacterial growth if contaminated or stored in humid bathrooms. General consumer reports (not specific recalls) note this risk with any water-containing moisturizer; dispensing hygiene and cool storage mitigate it.
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 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.