Drunk Elephant · Moisturizer
Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer 1.69 fl oz
Lower PFAS concern for typical cosmetic moisturizer, but Drunk Elephant provides no PFAS transparency.
Protini is a water-based moisturizer without known Teflon-family coating coatings, water-repellent finishes, or stain-resistant treatments, the main PFAS vectors in cosmetics. Drunk Elephant makes no public PFAS claims or disclosures.
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Water-based cosmetic emulsion (moisturizer cream)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
Why this grade
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement about PFAS in this product.
Safe base material
Made from a material with no inherent PFAS use (ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber).
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer is a water-based emulsion combining polypeptides (protein chains), humectants, and emollients in a cream base. The 'polypeptide' active is a marketing term for hydrolyzed plant proteins intended to support skin firmness; it carries no known toxicological concern at cosmetic-use concentrations. Water-based formulations have inherently lower volatility and leaching risk compared to oil or silicone-heavy creams, making them typically safer for skin contact and disposal.
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant markets itself as a 'clean' brand excluding parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrance, and maintains ingredient transparency on product pages. However, the brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing results or supply-chain PFAS audits, which is increasingly expected of premium skincare lines. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to Drunk Elephant moisturizers have been documented. The brand is owned by Estee Lauder Companies, a large conglomerate subject to standard FDA cosmetic regulations but not known for PFAS-specific commitments.
How it compares in its category
Premium moisturizers in this segment typically carry similar water-based formulations and face the same PFAS transparency gaps. Drunk Elephant's price point (roughly $68 USD) places it in the luxury tier, where ingredient disclosure is marginally better than mass-market alternatives but PFAS transparency remains rare across the category. Compared to medical-grade moisturizers (CeraVe, Cetaphil), Drunk Elephant offers no clinically superior safety profile but comparable skin-contact risk levels. The main differentiator is brand marketing and the polypeptide claim, not hazard reduction.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to preserve emulsion stability and prevent separation. Water-based creams are prone to microbial growth if exposed to moisture or contamination; do not add water to the container and replace the cap firmly after each use. Use within 6-12 months of opening; discard if the product separates, changes odor, or shows visible discoloration. Patch test on inner arm first if you have sensitive skin, as even clean formulations can trigger irritation in individual users.
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.”
1,4-dioxane (solvent impurity)
No public testing or reports of 1,4-dioxane contamination in Drunk Elephant moisturizers. Water-based formulations have lower risk than certain surfactant-heavy or detergent-based cosmetics, but brand does not disclose manufacturing protocols to rule it out.
Heavy metals in pigments or colorants
Protini is an opaque white-cream product; no lead, cadmium, or antimony contamination has been reported. Drunk Elephant does not independently test final products for heavy metals, relying on supplier compliance.
Fragrance allergens
Brand markets this product as fragrance-free and essential-oil-free. Ingredient lists confirm absence of synthetic fragrance compounds, reducing risk of sensitization reactions common in scented moisturizers.
Formaldehyde releasers (preservative by-products)
Water-based emulsions require preservative systems to prevent bacterial growth; Drunk Elephant does not publicly disclose preservative chemistry or formaldehyde-release testing. Regulatory limits are typically respected but transparency is absent.
Microplastic particles in formulation
No reported microbeads or intentional plastic particles in Protini Polypeptide formula. However, some polypeptide actives are derived from synthetic polymers; Drunk Elephant does not specify sourcing clarity.
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 Moisturizer
Tatcha
Starter The Ritual Set Ultra Hydrating For Dry Skin
Water-based cosmetic creams and serums; glass/plastic packaging
Lower PFAS concern for a cosmetic moisturizer set, but Tatcha makes no public PFAS commitment.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Orchid Facial Oil
plant oils, botanical extracts, glass bottle
Lower concern; facial oil with no known PFAS triggers, but brand offers no transparency.
⚠Risky category by default
Herbivore Botanicals
Herbivore Lapis Balancing Facial Oil
plant oils, mineral pigments, glass bottle
Lower concern for PFAS; facial oil in glass, typical formulation poses minimal risk.
⚠Risky category by default
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.