Classic Shaving Cream vs Foaming Shave Gel with Aloe: which is safer?
Foaming Shave Gel with Aloe is our pick, better on PFAS and on the overall hazard picture.
Barbasol
Classic Shaving Cream
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleHydrocarbon/Isobutane propellant inhalation
ReportedFragrance allergens
PossibleSoap irritation to sensitive skin
Our pick
Harry's
Foaming Shave Gel with Aloe
PFAS grade
Overall grade
Verdict
Hazard flags
Material
Confidence
PossibleFragrance allergens (undisclosed components)
PossiblePotassium hydroxide irritation (residual alkalinity)
PossibleAloe extract quality and allergenicity
Where these two actually differ
- We flag Hydrocarbon/Isobutane propellant inhalation, Fragrance allergens and Soap irritation to sensitive skin on the Barbasol and not on the Harry's.
- We flag Fragrance allergens (undisclosed components), Potassium hydroxide irritation (residual alkalinity) and Aloe extract quality and allergenicity on the Harry's and not on the Barbasol.
- The Barbasol is soap base, water, propellant (hydrocarbon or isobutane) where the Harry's is water, stearic acid, potassium hydroxide, aloe extract, which is most of the difference in these two grades.
Both products run through the same public rubric, which covers 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