Taylor of Old Bond Street · Shaving Cream
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream
Lower concern. Classic shaving cream with no known PFAS-prone formulation.
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood Shaving Cream is a traditional soap-based cream with no nonstick, waterproofing, or stain-resistance treatments that typically introduce PFAS. The brand makes no PFAS claims. While no independent lab testing is publicly available, the product category and known ingredients pose minimal PFAS risk.
Shop Taylor of Old Bond Street on Amazon →Material
soap base, glycerin, essential oils, water
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
Taylor of Old Bond Street Sandalwood is a soap-cream hybrid built on a vegetable-oil soap base, glycerin (humectant), and sandalwood essential oil. This formulation avoids modern synthetic thickeners and stabilizers that often introduce trace contaminants; the reliance on natural soap and glycerin is both chemically simpler and historically proven over decades. No synthetic fragrance compounds or plasticizers are typical in this class of product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Taylor of Old Bond Street, established 1854 in London, has maintained consistent formulations for over a century with minimal public controversy or recalls in major regulatory databases. The brand does not prominently publish detailed safety disclosures or third-party certifications (e.g., EWG, Leaping Bunny), but this reflects traditional manufacturing practice rather than evasion. No substantive product safety incidents or ingredient controversies are on record for this line.
How it compares in its category
This product sits at the cleaner end of shaving creams: soap-and-glycerin formulations are inherently lower-risk than modern aerosol gels or creams relying on silicones, volatile propellants, or synthetic preservatives. Most mass-market alternatives (Gillette, Barbasol, Nivea) contain more complex synthetic additives and stabilizers. Premium artisanal competitors (e.g., Mitchell's Wool Fat) share a similar risk profile; Taylor's advantage is consistent quality control and long track record.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or humidity to prevent the soap base from drying out prematurely or developing surface mold. The cream does not require refrigeration. Ensure the container lid seals tightly; exposure to air will degrade the product over months. Patch-test on a small facial area first if you have sensitive skin, as essential oil fragrances can occasionally trigger contact dermatitis in susceptible individuals.
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 (sandalwood essential oil)
Essential oils, including sandalwood, can trigger contact dermatitis or allergic reactions in a small subset of users with fragrance sensitivity. Risk is individual; no recall or widespread adverse event reported for this product.
Formaldehyde releasers in preservatives
Traditional soap-based formulations like this typically rely on minimal synthetic preservatives; no formaldehyde-releasing agents (e.g., diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea) are listed or expected in the standard Taylor formulation.
Heavy metals in natural pigments or colorants
This product contains no synthetic dyes or mineral pigments; sandalwood provides natural color through essential oil compounds, not inorganic colorants prone to cadmium or lead contamination.
Microbial growth if stored improperly
Soap-based creams with minimal synthetic preservatives can develop bacterial or mold growth if left exposed to moisture and warm air for extended periods. Proper container sealing and dry storage mitigate this risk.
Skin irritation from high glycerin concentration
While glycerin is generally safe, excessive concentration in a cream can cause drying or irritation if applied to already-compromised skin or left on for prolonged periods. This is user-dependent and not a product defect.
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 Shaving Cream
Baxter of California
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Lower concern, standard grooming tools with no known PFAS indicators, though brand discloses nothing.
✓Bare metal or glass, no coating at all
Kiehl's
Close Shavers Squadron Ultimate Razor Burn & Bump Relief
Stainless steel blade; gel/cream formula (water, glycerin, botanical extracts)
Lower PFAS concern, standard razor and aftercare gel with no known PFAS triggers, but brand discloses nothing.
⚠Risky category by default
Aesop
Moroccan Neroli Shaving Duet with 60ml Serum and Lotion
water-based serum and lotion emulsions in glass/plastic bottles
Lower PFAS concern for this leave-on cosmetic; no special coatings flagged.
⚠Risky category by default
More shaving cream 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.