Daily Defense SPF 30 Moisturizer
Lower concern; mineral sunscreen cosmetics rarely contain PFAS without public disclosure either way.
Mineral sunscreen moisturizer without waterproofing or water-resistant claims carries minimal PFAS risk. No third-party testing is publicly available for this product.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water-based emulsion, mineral sunscreen actives, plant oils
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Fragrance allergen or sensitizer
Burt's Bees formulas typically include essential oils or botanical extracts for scent. While natural sources, these can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals. Specific fragrance constituents are not itemized on label, making individual allergen screening difficult.
Emulsifier or stabilizer leachables (if synthetic)
Plant-based emulsifiers (lecithin, polysorbates) used in natural sunscreens are generally recognized as safe for skin contact. However, polysorbate-derived PFAS or impurities are theoretically possible but not documented in this product line.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Heavy metals
Pharmaceutical-grade mineral sunscreen actives are regulated for purity in the US (FDA OTC monograph). No published contamination in Burt's Bees products; however, brand does not disclose third-party metal testing of finished formulas.
Source: FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-based emulsions require antimicrobial preservatives; Burt's Bees typically uses parabens or phenoxyethanol rather than formaldehyde-releasing agents. No recalls or contamination reports on file for this product.
Source: ATSDR ↗Talc contamination in powder or blended formulas
Daily Defense SPF 30 is a liquid moisturizer sunscreen, not a talc-based powder, so talc exposure risk is not applicable. Mineral actives (zinc/titanium oxides) are distinct from talc.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Daily Defense SPF 30 uses mineral (non-nano zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) UV filters suspended in a water-based emulsion with plant oils, which is a lower-risk formulation compared to chemical sunscreens. Mineral actives do not metabolize systemically and sit on skin surface, eliminating concerns about hormone disruption or bioaccumulation. The water-based matrix means fewer organic solvents and reduced volatilization of fragrance or preservative compounds during storage or use.
The brand's record and disclosure
Burt's Bees markets products as natural and has certified organic status for several lines, but does not publish ingredient sourcing audits or third-party heavy-metal testing results for cosmetics. The brand has no known recalls or regulatory actions on this product. However, silence on PFAS presence in emulsifiers or film-formers is typical across the natural cosmetics space and does not indicate contamination, only lack of transparency.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens inherently avoid chemical UV absorbers (oxybenzone, avobenzone) that carry endocrine concerns, placing this product in the lower-hazard subset of the category. Compared to sunscreens with synthetic fragrance blends or silicone bases, the plant-oil emulsion reduces volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing. Trade-off: mineral formulas are grittier and less elegant than chemical alternatives, but safety profile is better established.
If you buy it
Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct sunlight to prevent emulsion breakdown, which could allow separation and uneven UV filter distribution. Do not apply to broken or severely irritated skin; mineral sunscreens can irritate open wounds due to particulate texture. Replace annually or if the texture becomes grainy, oily, or separates visibly. Reapply every two hours if swimming or sweating, as water-based formulas offer less water resistance than hybrid systems.
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
- Burt's Bees has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Sunscreen
Goddess Garden
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Skin irritation or photosensitivity from plant oils
Limited concern
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen backed by credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide in sunlight
Limited concern
Skin irritation or sensitivity to mineral film
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral sunscreen backed by third-party verification, no fluorochemical history.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), tin packaging
Epoxy resin coating in tin lining
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Nano particle inhalation from loose powder form
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral formula plus explicit PFAS-free stance and certs lower concern.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
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.