Barbasol Soothing Aloe Thick Rich Shaving Cream
Lower concern; standard aerosol shaving cream without known PFAS triggers, though brand is silent.
This water-based shaving cream has no known Teflon-family coating coatings, water-repellent treatments, or nonstick surfaces requiring PFAS. The brand neither confirms nor denies PFAS content, and aerosol propellants remain untested.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water-based shaving cream with aloe and emollients
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
Barbasol Soothing Aloe contains fragrance and aloe extract; fragrance is a known allergen source for sensitive skin, though this product is formulated for mainstream use and no recalls for contact dermatitis are on record.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
1,4-dioxane (ethoxylated surfactants)
Water-based shaving creams with emulsifiers may contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing byproduct of ethoxylation. Barbasol does not disclose this testing, and no violations or detections specific to this brand have been published; typical levels in rinse-off products are below EPA health advisory thresholds for single-use exposure.
Aerosol inhalation risk
Propellants in shaving-cream aerosols (isobutane, nitrogen) are not toxic at the brief exposure levels typical of bathroom use. Inhalation risk becomes relevant only in confined spaces or intentional huffing, neither of which applies to normal shaving.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives (e.g., dmdm hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are listed on the Barbasol label. Water-based formulations typically use phenoxyethanol or sodium benzoate instead, which do not release formaldehyde.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc or silica contamination
Barbasol Soothing Aloe is a liquid aerosol with no powder or talc listed; talc-related inhalation and ovarian-cancer concerns do not apply to this product format.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Barbasol Soothing Aloe is a water-based aerosol shaving cream, not a soap or gel. The base is water plus emulsifiers, stearic acid (a fatty acid for slip), and glycerin for hydration, with aloe extract added for soothing claims. This formulation avoids the metal-leaching risk of shaving soaps in hard water and the burn-risk of heating gels; the aerosol propellant is typical nitrogen or isobutane, which poses no inhalation hazard in brief bathroom use. No talc, no silica powder, no heavy-metal colorants are listed on the label.
The brand's record and disclosure
Barbasol is owned by Perio Inc. and has no publicized safety controversies or product recalls in recent record. The brand does not publish detailed ingredient breakdowns or third-party certifications (e.g., EWG verification), and offers no explicit statement on PFAS avoidance or testing. This silence is typical for mainstream shaving-cream brands; it reflects industry norms rather than a red flag. The product is sold widely in US drugstores and has no documented regulatory warnings.
How it compares in its category
Barbasol's water-based aerosol formula sits in the mainstream middle of shaving creams, with lower concern than bar soaps in hard-water regions, simpler than premium brushless creams with added silicones, and less prone to residue buildup than thick gel formulas. Compared to organic or certified-natural brands, it lacks third-party safety vetting but also costs a fraction as much. For basic shaving comfort with no special skin needs, it performs at parity with store-brand competitors.
If you buy it
Apply a thin layer to damp skin and shave within 30 seconds for best glide; the formula dries quickly if left on the skin longer. Store the aerosol can upright at room temperature, away from heat or flame (propellant is flammable). Do not spray directly into eyes or mouth. If skin irritation or rash develops after first use, rinse thoroughly and switch brands; sensitivity to fragrance or aloe is rare but possible.
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.