Drunk Elephant · Sunscreen
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Mineral Cream SPF 30
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen; no known PFAS risk, but brand silent on PFAS practices.
Drunk Elephant's Umbra uses mineral UV filters (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), which are inherently lower-PFAS-risk ingredients. The product contains no water-resistant film-forming coatings or grease-resistant treatments typical of PFAS-laden cosmetics.
Shop Drunk Elephant on Amazon →Material
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) in cream base
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
Umbra Sheer uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as UV filters, the two mineral actives approved by the FDA that sit on skin rather than absorbing into it. The cream base likely contains glycerin, oils, and emulsifiers typical of luxury sunscreens; these are inert and pose no known safety concern. Mineral filters are physically opaque and do not degrade into problematic byproducts under UV exposure the way some chemical sunscreens do. The main user complaint with mineral sunscreens is white cast and texture, not safety.
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant markets itself as a clean beauty brand emphasizing ingredient transparency, but does not publish detailed PFAS-avoidance statements or third-party certifications (EWG Verified, NSF, etc.). The brand has faced criticism for vague marketing claims and premium pricing that does not always align with ingredient novelty. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific product line. Their sunscreen portfolio lacks public commitment to PFAS-free formulation, though mineral sunscreens are inherently lower-risk.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens as a category are considered safer than chemical alternatives by dermatologists and the EWG because they do not absorb systemically and avoid degradation byproducts. Drunk Elephant's version sits in the luxury price tier (typically $45-65) alongside brands like Blue Lizard and La Roche-Posay, which offer similar or better transparency. Budget mineral alternatives like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer or Coppertone Pure & Simple offer equivalent active ingredients at 5-10x lower cost but often worse sensory profiles. This product's positioning is premium marketing on a material class that is inherently lower-risk.
If you buy it
Apply generously (quarter-teaspoon face, full ounce body) 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours or after water contact. Store in a cool, dry place; heat will not degrade mineral filters but may soften the cream base. Discontinue if irritation or photosensitivity appears, though zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are rarely allergenic. No special maintenance required; the product does not require regular replacement unless separated or expired (typically 3 years unopened).
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.”
Titanium dioxide (nano vs. non-nano particle size)
Drunk Elephant does not disclose whether titanium dioxide in this product is nano-scale. Non-nano particles are considered safe; nano particles raise inhalation concerns if aerosolized during application, though skin application risk is minimal. No established harm from sunscreen-use levels in cosmetics, but transparency on particle size is absent.
Fragrance/fragrance allergens
The product likely contains fragrance or essential oils (Drunk Elephant markets scent profile), but the brand does not disclose fragrance ingredients or allergen statements. Fragrance can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; mineral sunscreens do not require fragrance for efficacy. Full ingredient list would clarify, but this is not publicly detailed in standard marketing materials
Emulsifier and thickener irritation or sensitization
Cream-base ingredients (likely cetyl alcohol, stearic acid, common emulsifiers) are standard across dermatologist-recommended sunscreens and carry no known safety flags. No recalls or adverse reports specific to Drunk Elephant sunscreen formulations on record.
Preservative system safety (if synthetic)
Drunk Elephant does not disclose preservatives in public marketing; common options include phenoxyethanol or methylisothiazolinone, both safe at cosmetic use levels but potential contact allergens for hypersensitive skin. The brand's 'clean' positioning may suggest gentler preservatives, but this is not confirmed.
Zinc oxide skin irritation or occlusion risk
Zinc oxide is generally safe and non-irritating even for sensitive skin; it does not occlude pores in mineral sunscreen formulations at typical SPF 30 concentrations. No specific adverse reports for this product exist in consumer safety databases.
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.