Classic Shaving Cream vs Regular Shaving Cream: which is safer?
Gillette Foamy Regular Shaving Cream is our pick: better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Barbasol
Classic Shaving Cream
PFAS grade
Excellent 75/100
Overall grade
Good 57/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
soap base, water, propellant (hydrocarbon or isobutane)
Confidence
78%
PossibleHydrocarbon/Isobutane propellant inhalation
ReportedFragrance allergens
PossibleSoap irritation to sensitive skin
Our pick
Gillette Foamy
Regular Shaving Cream
PFAS grade
Excellent 75/100
Overall grade
Good 63/100
Verdict
Buy
Hazard flags
⚑ 3
Material
Water-based aerosol foam; soap, water, propellant
Confidence
82%
PossibleFragrance allergens
PossibleAerosol propellant inhalation
PossibleSoap and surfactant irritation
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Hydrocarbon/Isobutane propellant inhalation and Soap irritation to sensitive skin on the Barbasol and not on the Gillette Foamy.
- We flag Aerosol propellant inhalation and Soap and surfactant irritation on the Gillette Foamy and not on the Barbasol.
- Both carry a flag for Fragrance allergens, so neither choice avoids it.
- The Barbasol is soap base, water, propellant (hydrocarbon or isobutane) where the Gillette Foamy is Water-based aerosol foam; soap, water, propellant, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
- These two are level, close enough that price and fit should decide it rather than our grade.
Both products run through the same public rubric: materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls, plus a beyond-PFAS hazard analysis. Grades are model-based estimates, not lab tests. How grades work →
More shaving cream: see the full ranking