PFAS in Shaving Cream, Which Brands Grade Best and Worst

Based on available materials and data, every shaving cream currently in our database, including multiple lines from Gillette Foamy, The Art of Shaving, EOS, and Barbasol, comes back with the same model-based estimate, Excellent, 75 out of 100. That is a genuinely reassuring result across a product category that has a history of PFAS scrutiny, mostly tied to aerosol propellants and slick, water-resistant formulas. None of this means any single product is confirmed "PFAS-free" or declared safe in a legal sense; it means that, from the ingredient disclosures and public data we reviewed, none of these twelve products raised a fluorochemical red flag.

If you want one name to remember, our pick for most shoppers is Gillette Foamy Gillette Foamy Regular Shaving Cream. It shares the same Excellent grade as the rest of the field, but it wins on availability, price, and decades of consistent formulation, which makes it an easy default when you don't want to overthink your bathroom cabinet. That said, this is a rare category where the "worst" grade among reviewed products is still "Excellent," so the real decision for most people comes down to skin type, format preference (foam versus cream), and fragrance, not PFAS risk. Read on for the full breakdown, what to actually watch for in shaving products more broadly, and how these grades were built.

Summary comparison

Product	PFAS grade	Verdict
Gillette Foamy Gillette Foamy Regular Shaving Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; our top recommendation for everyday use.
Gillette Foamy Gillette Foam Regular Shave Foam 2 oz.	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; a good travel-size option.
Gillette Foamy Gillette Foam Classic Shave Foam for Men	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; classic formula, consistent scoring.
The Art of Shaving The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; premium tier with the same grade as budget lines.
The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; near-identical profile to the flagship version.
The Art of Shaving Lavender Shaving Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; fragrance variant, same grade.
EOS Eos Shave Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; strong option for cream-format fans.
EOS Shaving Cream Eos Shea Better Dry Skin Shaving Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; targeted at dry skin, same grade tier.
EOS EOS Sensitive Skin Shave Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; sensitive-skin formulation, consistent result.
Barbasol Barbasol Thick Rich Shaving Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; a value-tier staple.
Barbasol Barbasol Sensitive Skin Thick Rich Shaving Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; gentler variant, same score.
Barbasol Barbasol Soothing Aloe Thick Rich Shaving Cream	Excellent (75/100)	Lower concern based on available materials and data; aloe-added formula, same score.

A quick note on methodology, these grades are our model-based estimates built from ingredient disclosures, safety data sheets, and public regulatory filings, not laboratory test results on physical product samples. A 75/100 "Excellent" score reflects an absence of disclosed or inferred PFAS markers in the reviewed materials, not a certified guarantee that a batch has zero fluorochemicals. Treat the grade as a strong directional signal, not a courtroom fact.

Gillette Foamy, the mass-market baseline

Gillette's Foamy line is the product most Americans picture when they think "shaving cream," and all three variants we reviewed land at Excellent, 75/100.

Gillette Foamy Regular Shaving Cream

Materials, A standard aerosol or cream base built around water, stearic acid, and triethanolamine-type surfactants, typical of drugstore lathering shave products. Brand claims, Gillette markets this as a classic, dermatologist-tested lather formula; the company does not make an explicit PFAS-free claim on packaging, so that framing should be treated as absent rather than confirmed. Pros, Widely available, inexpensive, decades of consistent formulation, and it scores as well as any premium alternative in our database. Cons, Aerosol propellants can irritate sensitive skin, and, like most drugstore lathers, the ingredient list is dense enough that only a materials-based review, not a glance at the can, tells you much about PFAS risk. See it here, Gillette Foamy Gillette Foamy Regular Shaving Cream.

Gillette Foamy Regular Shave Foam, 2 oz.

Materials, Essentially the same formulation as the full-size can, packaged as a travel-friendly 2 oz. option. Brand claims, Marketed for portability and the same classic lather; no third-party PFAS-free certification is listed in available materials. Pros, Great for travel kits, gym bags, or trial use before committing to a full can; same Excellent grade as its larger sibling. Cons, Higher cost per ounce than the full-size version, and small aerosol cans generate more packaging waste relative to product volume. Details at Gillette Foamy Gillette Foam Regular Shave Foam 2 oz..

Gillette Foamy Classic Shave Foam for Men

Materials, Comparable surfactant and stearate base to the regular line, positioned as the "classic" men's formula. Brand claims, Gillette emphasizes lather thickness and a traditional barbershop scent profile; again, no explicit PFAS statement appears in the materials we reviewed. Pros, Reliable, familiar scent and texture, same top-tier grade. Cons, Fragrance-heavy formulas like this can trigger sensitivity in some users, which is a skin-comfort issue rather than a PFAS one. Full listing at Gillette Foamy Gillette Foam Classic Shave Foam for Men.

The Art of Shaving, the premium tier

Positioned as an upmarket, apothecary-style brand, The Art of Shaving's creams land at the exact same Excellent, 75/100 grade as the drugstore options above, which is a useful reminder that price does not automatically correlate with a better PFAS profile.

The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream (flagship)

Materials, A glycerin- and oil-based cream formula, marketed around essential oils and a traditional wet-shave ritual rather than aerosol delivery. Brand claims, The brand emphasizes natural-leaning ingredient sourcing and dermatologist input; we found no explicit third-party PFAS testing disclosure in the materials reviewed, so any "clean" positioning should be read as brand-stated rather than independently verified. Pros, Rich, non-aerosol texture that many wet-shave enthusiasts prefer, and it carries the same top grade as cheaper alternatives. Cons, Meaningfully more expensive per ounce, and essential-oil fragrance blends may not suit reactive skin. Product page, The Art of Shaving The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream.

The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream (base variant)

Materials, Very similar formulation to the flagship product, likely a differently packaged or sized version within the same product family. Brand claims, Same general positioning around traditional wet-shave ingredients; no independent lab certification cited. Pros, Consistent Excellent grade, same performance profile as the flagship. Cons, Limited practical difference from the flagship version, so shoppers should compare price and size rather than expecting a different PFAS outcome. See The Art of Shaving Shaving Cream.

The Art of Shaving Lavender Shaving Cream

Materials, The same cream base with lavender essential oil as the primary fragrance component. Brand claims, Marketed on aromatherapy and relaxation benefits; again, this is a brand-stated positioning, not a verified PFAS-free claim. Pros, Pleasant, calming scent profile and identical Excellent grade to the unscented flagship. Cons, Added fragrance oils increase the chance of irritation for people with sensitive or reactive skin, independent of any PFAS question. Details at The Art of Shaving Lavender Shaving Cream.

EOS, the cream-format specialist

EOS built its brand identity on round, colorful lip balm packaging, but its shaving cream line follows the same lower-concern pattern as the rest of this list.

EOS Shave Cream

Materials, A shea-and-oil-based cream rather than an aerosol foam, formulated to be spread by hand instead of dispensed as lather. Brand claims, EOS markets this line around moisturizing, shea-butter-forward ingredients; we did not find an explicit lab-verified PFAS-free statement in available materials. Pros, Non-aerosol format appeals to shoppers trying to reduce propellant exposure generally, and it scores identically to the rest of the field. Cons, Cream formats require more product per shave for some users, which can offset the lower per-can cost. Product page, EOS Eos Shave Cream.

EOS Shea Better Dry Skin Shaving Cream

Materials, A shea-butter-enriched variant aimed at dry or flaky skin, built on the same base as the standard EOS cream. Brand claims, Positioned as a dry-skin remedy; the moisturizing claim is brand-stated and not the same as an independently verified PFAS test. Pros, Good option for winter shaving or naturally dry skin, same Excellent grade as the standard formula. Cons, Heavier texture may feel greasy to users with oily or combination skin. See EOS Shaving Cream Eos Shea Better Dry Skin Shaving Cream.

EOS Sensitive Skin Shave Cream

Materials, A reduced-fragrance, gentler surfactant base intended for reactive skin types. Brand claims, Marketed as suitable for sensitive skin; this is a dermatological comfort claim, not a PFAS disclosure, and should be read that way. Pros, Fewer fragrance additives, same top-tier grade as the rest of the EOS lineup. Cons, "Sensitive skin" formulas sometimes trade fragrance for other preservative systems, so patch-testing is still worthwhile. Full listing at EOS EOS Sensitive Skin Shave Cream.

Barbasol, the value-tier veteran

Barbasol has been on drugstore shelves for generations, and its three reviewed variants round out the Excellent tier alongside every other product on this list.

Barbasol Thick Rich Shaving Cream

Materials, A dense, foaming aerosol cream built for close, traditional wet shaves. Brand claims, Marketed on lather thickness and closeness of shave; no explicit PFAS-free lab certification appears in the materials we reviewed. Pros, Very low cost per shave, long shelf stability, and the same Excellent grade as premium competitors. Cons, Aerosol delivery and dense foam can leave more residue in the bathroom sink than cream formats. Details at Barbasol Barbasol Thick Rich Shaving Cream.

Barbasol Sensitive Skin Thick Rich Shaving Cream

Materials, Same aerosol cream base with a fragrance-reduced formulation for reactive skin. Brand claims, Positioned for sensitive skin users; again a comfort claim rather than a verified chemical-safety claim. Pros, Budget-friendly, gentler fragrance load, identical grade to the standard version. Cons, Still an aerosol format, so users trying to avoid propellant-based products entirely should look at cream alternatives instead. See Barbasol Barbasol Sensitive Skin Thick Rich Shaving Cream.

Barbasol Soothing Aloe Thick Rich Shaving Cream

Materials, The standard Barbasol base with added aloe for post-shave soothing. Brand claims, Marketed around aloe's calming properties; this is a brand-stated skin-comfort claim, not an independent PFAS test result. Pros, Inexpensive, widely available, and carries the same Excellent grade as every other product reviewed here. Cons, Aloe additives can vary in concentration and may not meaningfully change irritation outcomes for everyone. Product page, Barbasol Barbasol Soothing Aloe Thick Rich Shaving Cream.

What to avoid

None of the twelve shaving creams in our database raised a PFAS flag based on available materials and data, but that does not mean the entire shaving cream aisle is risk-free by default. A few general red flags are worth carrying into any purchase, including brands and formulas outside this list.

• Vague "long-lasting" or "water-resistant" marketing language on shaving products is less common than in cosmetics or waterproof gear, but any claim of unusual slickness or friction reduction is worth a second look, since those properties are sometimes engineered with fluorochemicals in other product categories. Compare against our broader cosmetics and moisturizer guides for how that language shows up elsewhere.
• Unlisted or vague "fragrance" ingredients that obscure the full formulation. This isn't a PFAS-specific issue, but opaque ingredient decks make any materials-based grading, ours included, harder to verify.
• Aerosol propellant blends with no public safety data sheet. Most major brands, including the ones reviewed here, publish enough disclosure to support a confident grade. Smaller or private-label brands sometimes do not, which limits how much any reviewer, including PFAS Authority, can verify.
• Marketing claims of "PFAS-free" with no supporting test data. A brand statement is a starting point, not proof. Treat brand-stated claims and third-party verified results as two different tiers of evidence, and be skeptical of packaging language that blurs the two.

If you're shopping outside shaving cream entirely and want to compare PFAS patterns across other everyday categories, our cosmetics and makeup roundups cover similar ground for products applied directly to skin, and the product finder lets you search grades across every category we track.

Our pick

Given that all twelve reviewed shaving creams land at the same Excellent, 75/100 grade based on available materials and data, the decision genuinely comes down to format and budget rather than PFAS risk. For most shoppers Gillette Foamy Gillette Foamy Regular Shaving Cream is our pick, it's inexpensive, easy to find, and performs identically on our scale to premium options costing several times more per ounce. If you strongly prefer a non-aerosol cream you spread by hand EOS Eos Shave Cream is an equally well-graded alternative, and if you want a fragrance-forward, ritual-style shave The Art of Shaving Lavender Shaving Cream delivers the same lower-concern profile in a more premium package. None of these products should be described as "PFAS-free" or "safe" as a matter of fact; they should be understood as the best-scoring options currently available in our database, based on materials and disclosures reviewed to date, not as lab-certified guarantees.

Frequently asked questions

Does a higher price mean a better PFAS grade for shaving cream?

Not based on what we found here. The Art of Shaving's premium creams and Barbasol's budget-tier formulas both land at Excellent, 75/100. Price tends to track fragrance complexity, packaging, and brand positioning, not PFAS risk, at least across the products in our current database.

Is an Excellent grade the same as a lab-confirmed PFAS-free claim?

No. An Excellent grade is our model-based estimate built from ingredient disclosures and public data, not a laboratory test of a physical sample. It reflects an absence of disclosed or inferred PFAS markers in the materials we reviewed, and it should be read as "no evidence of PFAS found in reviewed sources" rather than a certified guarantee.

Should I worry about PFAS exposure from shaving cream on my skin?

Skin contact is one of several ways PFAS exposure has been studied, alongside water and food sources, and any association between topical products and health outcomes discussed in the broader research is not the same as proven causation for a specific product. Based on available materials and data, none of the twelve shaving creams reviewed here showed PFAS indicators, which is a reassuring starting point rather than a definitive health clearance.