Coppertone · Sunscreen
Coppertone Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Lower concern; mineral sunscreens rarely use PFAS, but Coppertone makes no explicit claim.
Coppertone Sport Mineral Sunscreen uses zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as active ingredients, mineral UV filters with no known PFAS application. The brand does not publicly disclose PFAS presence or absence.
Shop Coppertone on Amazon →Material
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide base)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Coppertone Sport Mineral uses zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as UV blockers, which sit on skin rather than absorbing into it, making them physically safer than chemical sunscreens. Mineral sunscreens have no established leaching or systemic absorption risks under normal use. The 'sport' designation typically indicates water resistance and added sweat-shedding polymers, which are inert and do not pose known hazards. Lotion vehicles in this class are oil-water emulsions with standard preservatives and thickeners at cosmetic safety levels.
The brand's record and disclosure
Coppertone is a long-established brand (Beiersdorf) with no major product recalls or safety findings specific to this mineral formulation in public records. The brand does not make explicit PFAS-free claims on this product, though mineral sunscreens as a category rarely require PFAS additives. Coppertone has faced historical criticism for broad marketing claims, but ingredient safety documentation for this mineral line is standard and uncontroversial. No third-party certifications (reef-safe, hypoallergenic) are prominently advertised for this specific product.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens are considered the safer UV class compared to oxybenzone or avobenzone chemical filters, which absorb systemically and raise hormonal concerns. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are FDA-recognized active ingredients with decades of topical safety data. This Coppertone product sits in the mainstream mass-market tier; equivalent competitors (Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Mineral, CeraVe Mineral) have comparable safety profiles. Price-point alternatives in chemical sunscreen bases do carry cumulative absorption risks that this mineral formulation avoids.
If you buy it
Apply generously (roughly one-quarter teaspoon for face) and reapply every two hours or after water exposure; mineral sunscreens require adequate thickness to be effective. Mineral products can leave a white cast on darker skin tones due to particle size; test on a small area first. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct heat; sunscreen potency degrades slightly over time, especially if exposed to high temperatures. Discard if product separates persistently, changes color, or reaches the expiration date printed on the container.
Beyond PFAS: other things we checked
Established hazard classes for this product type, assessed from public information. These never change the PFAS grade; a Likely flag caps the Verdict at “Buy with care.”
Heavy metal impurities in mineral oxides
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are non-absorbing physical blockers; FDA-grade cosmetic versions are tested for lead and cadmium. No contamination recalls or test findings exist for Coppertone Sport Mineral at retail potency.
Preservative irritants or allergens
Standard lotion preservatives (parabens, phenoxyethanol) are used in most Coppertone formulations at regulated concentrations. Rare contact dermatitis is possible in sensitive individuals but is not product-specific and occurs at comparable rates across the category.
Fragrance allergen burden
Coppertone Sport versions often include added fragrance (typically synthetic blends mimicking ocean/citrus notes). Fragrance is not regulated by ingredient name in the US; individuals with fragrance sensitivity should patch-test or choose unscented mineral alternatives.
Nanoparticle inhalation risk from spray formulations
This product is listed as lotion, not spray; inhalation is not a vector. Spray mineral sunscreens carry potential respiratory exposure to fine particles, but that hazard does not apply here.
Skin irritation from thickening/emulsion agents
Lotion vehicles in mineral sunscreens use benign emulsifiers and thickeners (cetyl alcohol, dimethicone, stearic acid). No irritation pattern or allergy alerts are documented for this Coppertone formulation on public records.
What we don’t know
This grade is a model-based estimate from public materials, coatings, and brand disclosure at 72% confidence. It is not a lab result.
No independent PFAS lab test is on record for this exact product. A lab test could move the score in either direction.
The brand has not made a specific, verifiable PFAS-free statement, so part of this score reflects that missing disclosure rather than a confirmed material.
Formulations and coatings change between production runs. Always check the current label before buying.
Safer alternatives in Sunscreen
Goddess Garden
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen with credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Lower PFAS concern; mineral sunscreen with third-party verification and no known 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
Lower-concern choice; mineral sunscreen + explicit PFAS-free positioning + third-party certs reduce risk.
✓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.