Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer
Lower concern for standard facial moisturizer, but Neutrogena hasn't disclosed testing.
This leave-on moisturizer lacks water-resistance, nonstick, or stain-guard claims that would signal PFAS use. Neutrogena has not disclosed PFAS-free status or verification.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water, glycerin, dimethicone, emollients, typical moisturizer base
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer is made of, ingredients and materials
Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer is a water-glycerin-dimethicone emulsion, a chemically simple and widely used formulation in mass-market moisturizers. Glycerin is a humectant that draws water into skin, dimethicone is an inert silicone emollient, and the base is aqueous. None of these ingredients present established acute or chronic toxicity concerns at typical use concentrations in facial 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
Product formulation does not list fragrance as a primary ingredient in publicly available labeling, but 'fragrance' may be present as a trace component in some batches under trade secret protection. Risk is lower than scented moisturizers but not zero.
1,4-dioxane contamination
1,4-dioxane is a common trace contaminant in products containing ethoxylated ingredients; this product's exact surfactant profile is not fully disclosed, so trace 1,4-dioxane cannot be ruled out, though regulatory limits in the US are modest.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Dimethicone buildup or irritation
Dimethicone is non-toxic and not absorbed through skin, but heavy layering over time may trap heat or cause occlusion in acne-prone skin; this is a use issue, not a toxicity hazard.
Microbial contamination
No recalls or contamination incidents on record for Neutrogena Daily Facial Moisturizer. Standard preservative systems in commercial moisturizers prevent bacterial growth if the container is kept sealed and used with clean applicators.
Heavy metals
No ingredients in the disclosed formula are known heavy metal carriers; Neutrogena is subject to FDA cosmetic manufacturing standards, which include limits on lead in color additives.
Source, FDA ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Neutrogena is owned by Johnson & Johnson, a company with mixed transparency records on chemical safety. Neutrogena has not publicly disclosed PFAS testing for this product line, and J&J has faced scrutiny on talc contamination and fragrance transparency in other product lines, though this specific moisturizer does not list talc as an ingredient. The brand does not highlight third-party certifications like EWG Verified or Clean Beauty standards for this product.
How it compares in its category
This is a baseline drugstore moisturizer with a simple, non-irritating formula typical of the mass-market segment. Compared to premium or clean-beauty alternatives, it lacks third-party safety certification and transparent ingredient sourcing disclosure, but its material composition (water, glycerin, silicone) is identical to many certified or marketed natural alternatives. It is less likely to contain fragrance allergens than scented moisturizers, which is a safety advantage.
If you buy it
Apply to clean, damp skin once or twice daily; no special storage or heating precautions apply to a water-based facial moisturizer. Do not ingest. If you have sensitive skin or known allergies to silicones (dimethicone), patch test first. Discontinue if redness, itching, or burning occurs and consult a dermatologist. Standard shelf life is 2-3 years; discard if separated, discolored, or odorous.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 75% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Neutrogena has made a specific claim
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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More moisturizer 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.