Aveeno Calm + Restore Daily Moisturizer Mineral Sunscreen
Low-medium risk; mineral sunscreen rarely requires PFAS in formulation.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are inorganic minerals that do not inherently require PFAS. The brand makes no public PFAS claim, and no third-party testing data is publicly available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), water-based moisturizer base
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Titanium dioxide and zinc oxide (inhalation risk, cosmetic-grade particle size)
Mineral sunscreens in powder or aerosol form carry a theoretical inhalation risk; this is a cream/lotion and poses negligible inhalation hazard during normal topical use. No recalled batches or pulmonary incidents tied to this specific product exist.
Fragrance allergens and irritants in moisturizer base
Aveeno formulas typically include fragrance compounds and botanicals (oat extract); individual sensitivity varies widely. No specific allergen bans apply to this product, but users with contact dermatitis history should patch-test first.
Preservative-related contact sensitization
Water-based sunscreen moisturizers require preservatives (likely methylisothiazolinone, phenoxyethanol, or parabens depending on formulation). These are well-tolerated in most users but can trigger delayed allergic contact dermatitis in sensitized individuals; incidence is low.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Heavy metals
Pharmaceutical-grade zinc oxide and titanium dioxide used in FDA-compliant sunscreens are refined to strict impurity limits. No published analysis or recall for this product has identified cadmium, lead, or arsenic contamination.
Source: FDA ↗Photoinstability of organic moisturizer ingredients under UV exposure
The zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide UV barrier, protecting underlying moisturizer compounds from photodegradation. No evidence suggests degradation products are released during use.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
This product uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as UV blockers, which sit on the skin surface rather than absorbing into it, making them physically protective rather than chemically reactive. The water-based moisturizer base reduces risk of volatile organic compound (VOC) off-gassing compared to oil-heavy formulas. Mineral sunscreens do not require PFAS water-repellency additives as frequently as chemical sunscreen formulas, and no published recalls or contamination reports exist for this specific product.
The brand's record and disclosure
Aveeno (Johnson & Johnson subsidiary) has not made a public commitment to PFAS-free formulations across its portfolio, though individual mineral products are unlikely to contain PFAS. The brand has faced scrutiny over talc contamination in legacy products (primarily body powder and baby products), but this sunscreen is not talc-based. Aveeno publishes safety data sheets and complies with FDA sunscreen regulations; no pattern of undisclosed hazardous ingredients has been established for this line.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are generally considered safer than chemical alternatives (oxybenzone, avobenzone) because they do not require organic solubilizers or PFAS water repellents. This product's moisturizer base addresses the traditional grittiness of mineral formulas. Compared to unbranded mineral sunscreens, Aveeno's formulation undergoes FDA premarket review and stability testing, reducing unpredictable leachate risk.
If you buy it
Apply a sufficient amount (about 1/4 teaspoon for face, 1 ounce for full body) 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours or after water contact. Store in a cool, dry place below 77°F to prevent separation or degradation of the mineral UV filters. Do not use on infants under 6 months (per FDA guidance). Discontinue if irritation or rash develops, though mineral formulas rarely trigger allergic contact dermatitis compared to chemical sunscreens.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Aveeno has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
Safer alternatives in Sunscreen
Goddess Garden
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Skin irritation or photosensitivity from plant oils
Limited concern
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen backed by credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide in sunlight
Limited concern
Skin irritation or sensitivity to mineral film
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral sunscreen backed by third-party verification, no 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
Epoxy resin coating in tin lining
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Nano particle inhalation from loose powder form
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral formula plus explicit PFAS-free stance and certs lower concern.
✓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.