EltaMD Review, Is EltaMD Non-Toxic?
EltaMD averages 75 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 8 EltaMD products graded as of October 2026, and all 8 reach its 70 point pass mark.
EltaMD grades Excellent on our four-band scale. On disclosure, the brand says nothing publicly about PFAS. See what every brand has published about PFAS for how that compares.
PFAS Authority is a scoring system, not a laboratory. We do not test products ourselves. Grades are model-based, built from published ingredients, materials, certifications, brand disclosures and third-party lab results where they exist. See the rubric.
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Does EltaMD have PFAS, by category
Which EltaMD products are PFAS-free? Good or better, best-graded first
- Mineral sunscreen actives (zinc oxide) in liquid suspension with tinting pigments
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Lead. Iron oxide pigments in cosmetics are regulated but not universally tested for heavy metal trace…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Water-based sunscreen lotion; primary actives likely zinc oxide/avobenzone
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens and sensitizers. EltaMD UV Clear contains fragrance compounds and cetyl alcohol, both…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Water-soluble film-forming actives, mineral UV filters (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide), glycerin base
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance and fragrance allergens. Product is labeled fragrance-free; however, full ingredient disclosure…
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Water-based UV filter formulation with mineral sunscreen actives
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Fragrance allergens (if present). EltaMD UV Daily contains fragrance but does not disclose specific fragrance…
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- Water-based moisturizing lotion with mineral UV filters (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Emulsifier skin irritation or sensitization. Water-based lotions require emulsifiers; EltaMD typically uses…
- Mineral sunscreen active (zinc oxide); emollient base with glycerin, squalane, peptides
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Skin occlusion or barrier disruption from emollient overload. High squalane and glycerin content is…
- mineral sunscreen & silicone emollient base
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Heavy metals. Iron oxides used in 'tinted' formulations are cosmetic-grade and regulated by FDA; however…
- Water-resistant sunscreen formulation (avobenzone, octinoxate, titanium dioxide)
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Avobenzone photostability and degradation byproducts. Avobenzone is a broad-spectrum UVA absorber known to…
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What to buy instead Good or better, in the categories EltaMD sells
- Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide base
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- 1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Synthetic fragrance allergens
- Aqueous lotion with mineral sunscreen (titanium dioxide/zinc oxide) and ceramides
- Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
EltaMD and PFAS, common questions
- Does EltaMD have PFAS?
- EltaMD averages 75 out of 100 on PFAS Authority's PFAS and toxin screen across the 8 EltaMD products graded as of October 2026, and all 8 reach its 70 point pass mark. Grades are model-based estimates built from published materials, ingredients and disclosures, not lab tests.
- Is EltaMD non-toxic?
- EltaMD Tinted UV Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 40 is the highest-graded EltaMD product we have scored, at 75/100. It depends on the product line rather than the brand, so check the grade of the exact item you are buying.
- Which EltaMD products are lower concern for PFAS?
- The highest-graded EltaMD products we have scored are EltaMD Tinted UV Daily Broad Spectrum SPF 40, EltaMD UV Clear Broad Spectrum SPF 46, EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 Facial Sunscreen. That is our model-based estimate from materials and public disclosure, not a lab test.
Every grade uses the same public rubric. How grades work →