Drunk Elephant · Sunscreen
Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spf 30 Broad Spectrum 2
Lower concern; mineral sunscreen formulations rarely require PFAS, but Drunk Elephant has not publicly disclosed PFAS status.
Drunk Elephant's Umbra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active ingredients, physical blockers not typically associated with PFAS. No waterproofing claims, grease-resistant coatings, or other red-flag treatments were disclosed.
Shop Drunk Elephant on Amazon →Material
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide)
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 active UV filters, the two mineral sunscreen staples that sit on skin rather than absorbing into it. These inorganic oxides have decades of safety history and do not require PFAS processing for water resistance in typical formulations. The 'sheer' designation means the formula is designed to minimize white cast, likely through micronization of particles or light-scattering adjuvants rather than chemical absorbers, keeping the hazard profile narrow.
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant markets itself as a 'clean' brand but does not publicly disclose PFAS content or absence on this product. The brand has faced scrutiny for vague ingredient transparency and premium pricing relative to substantiation, though no formal recalls or safety violations involving this sunscreen are documented. Parent company Estee Lauder has signed some industry transparency pledges but Drunk Elephant itself has not committed to third-party PFAS testing disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens like this occupy the lower-risk end of the sunscreen spectrum because they avoid synthetic UV absorbers (oxybenzone, avobenzone) linked to endocrine concerns and water contamination. Drunk Elephant's formulation sits at a premium price tier; equivalent mineral SPF 30 products from brands like Blue Lizard or Neutrogena offer identical active ingredients at lower cost and equivalent efficacy. The 'sheer' marketing is largely about cosmetic elegance rather than safety differentiation.
If you buy it
Apply generously (1/4 teaspoon for face) every two hours or after water exposure; mineral sunscreens do not degrade from heat or UV the way chemical sunscreens do, so storage in normal conditions poses no stability risk. Shake well before use as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide naturally separate from the carrier base. Discontinue if you develop irritation (rare with mineral filters, but possible if you are sensitive to one of the inert ingredients). Replace annually or when the tube dries out; sunscreen efficacy declines over time regardless of formulation type.
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 metals in pigments or colorants
Mineral sunscreens themselves (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) do not introduce lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals if sourced responsibly. No contamination recalls exist for this product line.
Fragrance allergens or undisclosed fragrance components
Drunk Elephant does not publish full fragrance disclosure on this product; the brand uses fragrance blends rather than naming individual components. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity should patch-test or contact the brand for ingredient detail.
1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde releasers
Mineral sunscreens do not require these processing aids; no reports of contamination in this product or comparable Drunk Elephant formulations.
Skin irritation from inert formula ingredients
While zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are well-tolerated, some users report stinging from alcohol or other solubilizers in sheer formulations. Reaction frequency is low but not zero, particularly in sensitive or compromised skin.
Inadequate water resistance claims
SPF 30 Broad Spectrum rating is reliable for mineral filters; no independent testing disputes exist on record. Reapplication after water exposure remains necessary regardless of brand.
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.