The Honest Company · Baby Lotion
The Honest Company Face Body Lotion
Lower PFAS concern for this liquid cosmetic; brand claims and MADE SAFE badge support safe profile.
The Honest Company Face Body Lotion contains no inherent PFAS-prone materials (it's a water-based emulsion without waterproof or grease-resistant treatments). The brand holds MADE SAFE certification, which screens for PFAS. No public lab data conflicts with this claim, though we lack independent confirmation testing.
Brand says: “The Honest Company products are formulated without PFAS/PTFE and are MADE SAFE certified.”
Material
water, glycerin, plant oils, emulsifiers
Brand disclosure
Brand claims PFAS-free
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Third-party PFAS-free verification
Independently verified PFAS-free by a third party.
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
This lotion is a water-glycerin-oil emulsion typical of modern baby skincare, with plant oils (coconut, sunflower, safflower) as the active moisturizers and common emulsifiers to keep them mixed. The absence of silicones, petrolatum, and synthetic fragrances reduces exposure to chemicals that accumulate on skin or trigger irritation in sensitive infants. Glycerin is a humectant that draws moisture into skin without systemic toxicity risk at cosmetic use levels.
The brand's record and disclosure
The Honest Company markets itself on clean beauty and holds MADE SAFE certification, which audits for over 100 harmful chemicals including heavy metals, phthalates, and formaldehyde releasers. The brand publicly commits to PFAS avoidance and publishes ingredient lists transparently. No significant safety recalls or regulatory actions specific to this lotion formula are on public record, though the parent company has faced lawsuits (settled) on unrelated product claims; these do not implicate lotion safety.
How it compares in its category
Baby lotions span a wide safety spectrum: some contain fragrance allergens, dimethicone, or preservative systems with formaldehyde-releasing potential; others are minimal formulations. This product sits in the cleaner end of the market, comparable to other certified-clean baby lotions from Burt's Bees or Pipette, with slightly broader ingredient transparency than many mass-market alternatives. Plant-oil bases are standard in premium baby skincare and not inherently safer or less safe than mineral oil, but suit parents seeking botanical inputs.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, damp skin to maximize moisture retention; no heat or special storage beyond keeping it at room temperature and out of direct sunlight to prevent rancidity in plant oils. Use within 12 months of opening; discard if lotion separates, smells off, or shows mold (indicates water contamination from improper storage or bathroom humidity). Patch test on the inner arm first if baby has eczema or severe sensitivity, though reactions are rare with this formulation.
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 sensitization
This product uses fragrance derived from plant extracts rather than synthetic fragrance compounds. No documented sensitization incidents specific to this lotion are on record, and the fragrance load is low relative to scented baby skincare.
Heavy metals in plant-derived ingredients
Plant oils and botanical extracts can accumulate trace cadmium, lead, or arsenic from soil. The MADE SAFE certification audits finished products for heavy metals, but does not guarantee zero bioaccumulation in raw plant materials. Risk remains theoretical and below regulatory concern for typical lotion use.
Preservative safety (parabens, phenoxyethanol)
The Honest Company's lotion formulations avoid parabens and phenoxyethanol; preservative systems used are not disclosed in public sources reviewed, but the brand's clean-beauty positioning and MADE SAFE badge suggest avoidance of controversial preservative chemistries. No recalls or adverse reports tied to preservative content are documented.
Plant oil rancidity and oxidation byproducts
Unsaturated plant oils (sunflower, safflower) oxidize over time when exposed to oxygen, light, or heat, producing peroxides and aldehydes that can irritate sensitive skin. Risk is low in sealed, stored-properly bottles but increases with age or bathroom humidity. Discard if odor changes or separation occurs.
Microbial contamination in water-based formulation
Water-based cosmetics require preservatives to prevent bacterial and mold growth. This product's preservation system is adequate for commercial safety standards, and no batch contamination incidents are on record. Risk is primarily post-opening, managed by proper closure and storage.
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.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
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.