Sun Bum Original · Sunscreen
Sun Bum Original SPF Sunscreen Lotion
Lower concern for PFAS; no known waterproofing chemistry requiring fluorinated compounds.
Sun Bum Original SPF is a standard mineral-based sunscreen lotion with no disclosed PFAS ingredients or known Teflon-family coating coatings. While the brand has made no explicit PFAS-free claim, the formulation (oils, glycerin, UV filters) does not typically require PFAS chemistry.
Shop Sun Bum Original on Amazon →Material
Mineral oil, glycerin, and avobenzone-based UV filter lotion
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
Sun Bum Original uses avobenzone as its primary UV filter, a chemical absorber that requires stabilization to prevent photodegradation in sunlight. The base is mineral oil and glycerin, both inert occlusive agents with no known leaching issues at room temperature. Avobenzone itself has been used in sunscreens for decades and is FDA-approved; mineral oil is a petroleum byproduct but is non-toxic and forms a protective barrier on skin rather than absorbing into it. No titanium dioxide or zinc oxide (mineral blockers) are used here, which simplifies the formulation and reduces inert particle concerns.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sun Bum has no documented major product safety recalls or hazardous substance controversies in public records. The brand does not openly tout third-party certifications (e.g., EWG verification, reef-safe claims) on mainstream marketing, though some formulations are marketed as reef-safe. Ingredient transparency on labels and websites is standard but not notably comprehensive. No established pattern of undisclosed contamination or regulatory action exists for this product line.
How it compares in its category
Avobenzone-based chemical sunscreens sit in the middle of the safety spectrum: more readily absorbed than mineral blockers but with no established systemic toxicity at typical use levels. Mineral oil bases are heavier and greasier than water-based or silicone alternatives, which some users find less elegant but chemically safer for skin barrier function. Sun Bum's formulation is typical for budget-friendly broad-spectrum lotions and avoids problematic additives like oxybenzone (known endocrine concern) or retinyl palmitate (photodegradation risk).
If you buy it
Apply generously (about 1 ounce per application for body) and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming to maintain efficacy. Avoid contact with eyes; rinse with water if it occurs. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight, as avobenzone degrades under UV exposure and loses protective potency over months or years. Discard if the product shows separation, discoloration, or unusual odor, which signals chemical breakdown. Do not use on children under 6 months without pediatrician approval (standard for all chemical sunscreens).
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.”
Avobenzone photodegradation and reduced UV protection
Avobenzone is known to degrade when exposed to sunlight, reducing its protective efficacy over time during use. This is a potency issue rather than a toxicity issue, but users relying on degraded product may experience inadequate sun protection. Storing away from light and replacing seasonally mitigates this.
Skin sensitization or contact allergy to fragrance or preservatives
Sun Bum Original contains fragrance and preservatives typical of cosmetic lotions (exact list not fully detailed in public sources). Avobenzone itself has rare but documented allergenic potential in sensitive individuals. Risk is low for the general population but higher for those with fragrance sensitivity or prior sunscreen reactions.
Mineral oil occlusion and clogged pores
Mineral oil is a heavy occlusive that can trap sweat and bacteria on skin, potentially triggering acne or folliculitis in prone individuals. This is a cosmetic tolerance issue rather than a toxicological hazard, but relevant for long-term daily facial use.
Heavy metals in colorants or mineral particles
No documented cases of lead, cadmium, or antimony contamination in Sun Bum Original or similar avobenzone-based sunscreen lotions. Mineral oil bases do not concentrate heavy metals. No corrective action or recall on record.
Contamination during manufacture or storage
No documented cases of microbial contamination, solvent residues, or foreign particles in Sun Bum sunscreen products. Brand is owned by a larger manufacturer with standard quality control. No public safety alerts exist.
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.