The Honest Company · Baby Lotion
The Honest Company Ultra Calming Face & Body Lotion
Lower concern; typical lotion with no known PFAS drivers, but brand offers no transparency.
The Honest Company's face and body lotion is a water-based emulsion with no reported Teflon-family coating coatings, nonstick properties, or waterproofing, the main vectors for PFAS in cosmetics. The brand does not claim PFAS-free status or hold third-party verification.
Shop The Honest Company on Amazon →Material
Water, glycerin, plant oils, preservatives (typical cosmetic emulsion)
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
This is a water-based emulsion combining glycerin (humectant), plant oils (occlusive moisturizers), and preservatives to prevent bacterial growth. Baby skin products require careful formulation because infant skin has higher permeability and lower barrier function than adult skin. The ingredient list relies on common, well-documented cosmetic-grade materials rather than novel synthetics, which reduces uncertainty about long-term safety.
The brand's record and disclosure
The Honest Company markets itself as a safety-focused brand and publishes ingredient disclosures on product pages. The brand does not explicitly discuss PFAS avoidance in marketing or transparency reports, which is typical of mainstream baby-care companies. No recalls specific to this product or contamination incidents have been established in public records. The brand holds no major third-party certifications (organic, dermatologist-tested claims are unverified by independent bodies).
How it compares in its category
Baby lotions are among the least regulated personal care products; this one sits in the mainstream-safety segment rather than minimalist or clinical. Comparable products from Cetaphil, CeraVe, and Aveeno use nearly identical preservative systems and oil blends. The Honest Company brand premium reflects marketing and packaging rather than materially different formulation; safety profile is equivalent to unbranded drugstore alternatives.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to prevent preservative degradation. Do not apply to broken or severely irritated skin without pediatrician guidance. Patch test on a small area first, as individual sensitivity to glycerin or plant oils varies. Discard if odor, separation, or visible mold develops; typical shelf life is 12-24 months from opening. No heating or microwaving required; use at room temperature.
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.”
Preservative-related contact dermatitis (phenoxyethanol, methylisothiazolinone, or paraben
The Honest Company product formulations typically include preservatives like phenoxyethanol or MI-based systems; these are well-tolerated by most infants but documented to cause localized contact dermatitis in 1-3% of exposed population, particularly with prolonged or repeated application to inflamed skin.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
The 'Ultra Calming' variant likely contains botanical fragrance or essential oil extracts marketed for soothing properties; while plant-derived, oils like lavender and chamomile are established allergens in some infants and can trigger irritation if sensitivity is present.
Microbial contamination if container hygiene lapses
Preservative systems in water-based lotions can be overcome by non-sterile application (wet fingers into tub, exposure to bathroom moisture); risk is mitigated by airless pump dispensers but increases with jar-style packaging if fingers are repeatedly inserted.
Plant oil rancidity or oxidative breakdown over time
No recalls or complaints on record for this product; plant oils do oxidize and lose stability, especially if stored warm, but well-formulated products include antioxidants (vitamin E) and have adequate shelf life when stored properly.
Aluminum or heavy-metal traces in pigments or colorants
Baby lotions are unpigmented or lightly tinted; The Honest Company products use minimal colorants and no lead-based or cadmium-based pigments have been detected in third-party ingredient audits available for this brand.
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 Baby Lotion
The Honest Company
Face Body Lotion
water, glycerin, plant oils, emulsifiers
Lower PFAS concern for this liquid cosmetic; brand claims and MADE SAFE badge support safe profile.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
The Honest Company
Honest Nourish Shampoo and Body Wash and Lotion Duo
aqueous surfactants, glycerin, plant extracts
Lower-concern choice; PFAS-free claim backed by third-party cert, though personal care is naturally low-risk category.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Tubby Todd
Bath Co. Sun Sets
water-based formulation, mineral & plant-derived actives
Lower-concern cosmetic; PFAS-free certified and no high-risk ingredients identified.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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.