Moisturizer, ranked by PFAS safety
15 products graded from Bad to Excellent, safest first. 15 grade Good or better and are worth buying.
Start here
The best non-toxic moisturizer, ranked safest first
Worth buying Good or Excellent, safest first
CeraVe
Moisturizing Cream
Water, glycerin, ceramides, humectants (cream emulsion)
1,4-dioxane (synthetic contaminant in emulsifiers)
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; conventional moisturizer without known water-repellent coating or grease-resistant additives.
⚠Risky category by default
CeraVe
PM Facial Moisturizing Lotion
water-based emulsion lotion with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin
Preservative sensitization (phenoxyethanol)
Limited concern
Bacterial growth in pump dispenser
Limited concern
Lower concern; standard facial moisturizer with no known PFAS triggers.
⚠Risky category by default
CeraVe
Daily Moisturizing Lotion
water, glycerin, cetyl alcohol, niacinamide, ceramides (emulsion lotion)
Comedogenicity and skin barrier disruption
Limited concern
Lower concern, simple emulsion lotion with no known PFAS-risk ingredients or treatments.
⚠Risky category by default
La Mer
Moisturizing Cream
Water, mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin, wax, typical emollient cream base
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed components
Limited concern
Botanical extracts and botanical contaminants
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; no water-repellent coating or water-resistant treatment typical of cream formulas.
⚠Risky category by default
La Mer
The Moisturizing Fresh Cream
water-in-oil emulsion with natural mineral-derived actives (seaweed, kelp ferment)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Moderate concern
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing byproduct)
Limited concern
Lower-concern cosmetic; no waterproofing chemistry typical of PFAS-prone products.
⚠Risky category by default
La Mer
The Moisturizing Soft Cream
Oil-in-water cream emulsion with mineral oil, petrolatum, glycerin, proprietary marine complex
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Emulsion stability and preservative efficacy over time
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern, but La Mer provides no testing disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Drunk Elephant
Protini Polypeptide Cream
Water-based moisturizing cream; primary actives include peptide complex, ceramides, glycerin
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Eye and mucous membrane irritation from peptide or ceramide particles
Limited concern
Lower concern; typical moisturizer formula lacks known PFAS risk factors.
⚠Risky category by default
Drunk Elephant
Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer 1.69 fl oz
Water-based cosmetic emulsion (moisturizer cream)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern for standard moisturizer, though Drunk Elephant offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Drunk Elephant
B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
water-based serum (glycerin, hyaluronic acid, humectants)
Fragrance allergens / botanical sensitizers
Limited concern
Container leachables (packaging hazard)
Limited concern
Lower concern; aqueous serum formulation has no known PFAS vectors.
⚠Risky category by default
Neutrogena
Daily Facial Moisturizer
Water, glycerin, dimethicone, emollients, typical moisturizer base
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane contamination
Limited concern
Lower concern for standard facial moisturizer, but Neutrogena hasn't disclosed testing.
⚠Risky category by default
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Water Gel
Water-based gel with glycerin and humectants
Fragrance allergens and fragrance mix reactions
Limited concern
Parabens
Limited concern
Lower concern; no known PFAS triggers identified, but no brand disclosure.
⚠Risky category by default
Neutrogena
Ultra Gentle Daily Face Moisturizer with SPF 30
water-based emulsion with mineral sunscreen filters
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing byproduct)
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; mineral sunscreen formulation reduces waterproofing-related risk.
⚠Risky category by default
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Water Cream
Water-based emulsion cream; no Teflon-type coating, Teflon-family coating, or durable water repellency claimed
Preservative sensitivity and allergic contact dermatitis
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Emulsifier-related irritation or barrier compromise
Limited concern
Contamination risk from improper storage or use
Limited concern
Lower concern; typical moisturizer with no known PFAS-linked ingredients.
⚠Risky category by default
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost SPF 50 Moisturizer
Water-based moisturizer with humectants (hyaluronic acid); no coating or treatment
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
1,4-dioxane (manufacturing residue)
Limited concern
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern for standard moisturizer, but brand transparency is absent.
⚠Risky category by default
Neutrogena
Hydro Boost Water Gel Moisturizer
Water gel emulsion (glycerin, hydrating polymer base)
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
BPA & bisphenols
Limited concern
Lower PFAS concern; typical water-gel moisturizer without known high-risk chemistries.
⚠Risky category by default
Get the safe list, free
The products we score each week, and the safest alternative in every category.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.