Burt's Bees Sensitive Gentle Day Lotion
Lower-concern formula without PFAS-prone ingredients, though brand offers no explicit commitment.
Simple water, glycerin, and botanical base lacks silicones, surfactants, or water-repellent treatments that would necessitate PFAS. The ingredient profile shows no fluorochemical risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water, glycerin, botanical extracts, emollients
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Burt's Bees Sensitive Gentle Day Lotion is made of, ingredients and materials
This product is a water-based emulsion combining glycerin (a humectant that draws moisture to skin), botanical extracts (chamomile, calendula, aloe), and emollients (oils/waxes) to soften and protect. The formula contains no known chemical UV filters (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are absent from typical formulations), so this is a moisturizer, not a true sunscreen despite the "day lotion" label. Water-based lotions carry minimal chemical leaching risk compared to oil-heavy or silicone products.
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 (botanical essential oils/extracts)
Chamomile and calendula are generally mild but documented as contact allergens in sensitive populations. Individual tolerance varies; no brand-level recalls are on record.
Botanical extract oxidation or microbial growth
Water-based formulas with plant extracts and minimal preservatives can degrade or support bacterial growth if stored in heat or humidity over time. Proper storage and timely use (within 12 months of opening) mitigate this.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
This product contains no artificial colorants or pigments. Botanical extracts can theoretically accumulate trace metals depending on soil sourcing, but no safety alerts or test results are published for Burt's Bees lotions.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Typical formulations use benzoic or sorbic acid preservatives, not formaldehyde-releasing agents. No ingredient disclosure on record suggests problematic preservative chemistry.
Source, ATSDR ↗1,4-dioxane contamination from ethoxylated surfactants
Simple water and glycerin base with botanical emollients carries low risk of ethoxylation byproducts. No manufacturing concerns are documented for this brand in this product category.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees is owned by Clorox and markets itself on natural/plant-derived positioning with some third-party certifications (e.g., B Corp status discontinued as of 2021). The brand publishes ingredient lists transparently on packaging and websites. No major recalls or safety violations are on record for this product line. However, the brand has not issued public statements on PFAS avoidance in manufacturing or supplier practices, leaving a minor transparency gap typical of many personal care brands.
How it compares in its category
Gentle day lotions in this price range ($6-10) typically use similar water-glycerin-botanical bases. This formula is simpler and less chemically complex than moisturizers with silicones, dimethicone, or synthetic fragrances, which reduces potential for irritants. Compared to heavier creams or oil-based alternatives, it poses lower risk of occlusion or rancidity. The lack of true UV protection (SPF) means it cannot replace dedicated sunscreen for sun defense.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, damp skin for best absorption of humectants. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight (standard for any lotion with botanical extracts, which can degrade or oxidize). Patch-test on inner forearm first if you have sensitive skin or known allergies to botanicals (chamomile and calendula are mild allergens for some). Replace if you notice separation, discoloration, or odor changes, typically within 12 months of opening.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Burt's Bees has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Burt's Bees Sensitive Gentle Day Lotion?
- Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide base
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- 1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Synthetic fragrance allergens
More sunscreen 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.