Barbasol Sensitive Skin Thick Rich Shaving Cream
Low-medium risk; traditional shaving cream formulation with no known PFAS triggers.
Barbasol Sensitive Skin is a conventional aerosol shaving cream with no disclosed PFAS-containing additives or coatings. Standard shaving creams rarely require water-repellent or grease-resistant treatments.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water-based aerosol shaving cream, soap/emulsifier base
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Fragrance allergens and irritants
Shaving creams typically include fragrance compounds that can sensitize or irritate skin in susceptible individuals. Barbasol does not disclose its fragrance formula or allergen warnings beyond standard patch-testing guidance, so risk is product-typical rather than brand-specific.
Surfactant irritation (skin contact)
Water-based shaving creams rely on emulsifying surfactants to stabilize lather; these can cause irritation with prolonged contact or in individuals with compromised skin barriers. The 'sensitive skin' formulation suggests reduced surfactant aggressiveness, but ingredient-level detail is not publicly disclosed.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Bacterial or mold growth (if stored improperly)
Aerosol formulations are less prone to microbial contamination than pump or jar formats because the pressurized environment and propellant discourage growth. No recalls or complaints in public databases point to microbial issues with this product.
Heavy metals
Water-based cosmetics formulations in the US are subject to FDA color additive restrictions that exclude most high-risk heavy metals. Barbasol has not faced recalls for lead or cadmium contamination, and the product category does not pose elevated risk.
Source, FDA ↗Aerosol propellant inhalation risk
Modern aerosol shaving creams use propellants (hydrocarbon or compressed air) that are not known to pose acute inhalation hazard at normal use frequency and ventilation. This product is designed for topical skin contact, not inhalation, and carries standard aerosol safety labeling.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Barbasol Sensitive Skin is a water-based aerosol shaving cream formulated with soap and emulsifiers to create a stable lather. The 'sensitive skin' variant suggests formulation aimed at reducing irritant surfactants or dyes compared to standard Barbasol lines. As an aerosol, it uses propellant gas (typically hydrocarbon or compressed air) to aerosolize the cream base, which is a standard delivery method for this product category and does not introduce chemical hazards beyond those inherent to the cream itself.
The brand's record and disclosure
Barbasol, owned by Edgewell Personal Care, does not publicize detailed ingredient safety certifications or third-party testing disclosures in publicly available materials. The brand has not faced major safety recalls related to this shaving cream line in FDA or consumer safety databases. Barbasol's ingredient transparency is typical of mainstream shaving cream manufacturers but lags behind brands offering EWG verification or similar accreditation.
How it compares in its category
Barbasol Sensitive Skin occupies the mid-tier budget shaving cream market, competing with brands like Edge and Gillette Foamy. Water-based aerosol creams like this are less likely to harbor heavy metals (versus some powder or gel alternatives) and avoid the Teflon-type coating/PFOA risks associated with non-stick cookware coatings. Compared to natural or certified organic shaving creams, Barbasol offers lower cost but also less ingredient transparency and no third-party safety verification.
If you buy it
Use as directed; no special storage precautions are required beyond keeping the aerosol canister upright and away from heat sources above 120F. For sensitive skin, perform a patch test on a small area first if you have a history of dermatitis, since even 'sensitive' formulations can contain surfactants or fragrance that irritate individual skin. Replace the canister once propellant pressure drops and lather quality declines; this typically occurs after 3-6 months of regular daily use. If irritation develops, discontinue use and switch to a fragrance-free or hypoallergenic alternative.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Barbasol has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
More shaving cream 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.