Coppertone Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50
Lower risk than chemical sunscreens, though no brand commitment to PFAS-free.
This mineral sunscreen uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as its UV filters, which don't require PFAS additives. Coppertone hasn't publicly stated whether PFAS is present or absent.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide base)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Coppertone Sport Mineral Lotion SPF is made of, ingredients and materials
Coppertone Sport Mineral uses zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as UV blockers, which sit on skin rather than absorbing into it, presenting lower concern than chemical sunscreens that absorb systemically. Mineral sunscreens have no established leaching or systemic absorption risks under normal use. The 'sport' designation typically indicates water resistance and added sweat-shedding polymers, which are inert and do not pose known hazards. Lotion vehicles in this class are oil-water emulsions with standard preservatives and thickeners at cosmetic safety levels.
What’s concerning
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Preservative irritants or allergens
Standard lotion preservatives (parabens, phenoxyethanol) are used in most Coppertone formulations at regulated concentrations. Rare contact dermatitis is possible in sensitive individuals but is not product-specific and occurs at comparable rates across the category.
Fragrance allergen burden
Coppertone Sport versions often include added fragrance (typically synthetic blends mimicking ocean/citrus notes). Fragrance is not regulated by ingredient name in the US; individuals with fragrance sensitivity should patch-test or choose unscented mineral alternatives.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are non-absorbing physical blockers; FDA-grade cosmetic versions are tested for lead and cadmium. No contamination recalls or test findings exist for Coppertone Sport Mineral at retail potency.
Source, FDA ↗Nanoparticle inhalation risk from spray formulations
This product is listed as lotion, not spray; inhalation is not a vector. Spray mineral sunscreens carry potential respiratory exposure to fine particles, but that hazard does not apply here.
Skin irritation from thickening/emulsion agents
Lotion vehicles in mineral sunscreens use benign emulsifiers and thickeners (cetyl alcohol, dimethicone, stearic acid). No irritation pattern or allergy alerts are documented for this Coppertone formulation on public records.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Coppertone is a long-established brand (Beiersdorf) with no major product recalls or safety findings specific to this mineral formulation in public records. The brand does not make explicit PFAS-free claims on this product, though mineral sunscreens as a category rarely require PFAS additives. Coppertone has faced historical criticism for broad marketing claims, but ingredient safety documentation for this mineral line is standard and uncontroversial. No third-party certifications (reef-safe, hypoallergenic) are prominently advertised for this specific product.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens present lower concern than oxybenzone or avobenzone chemical filters, which absorb systemically and raise hormonal concerns. Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are FDA-recognized active ingredients with decades of topical safety data. This Coppertone product sits in the mainstream mass-market tier; equivalent competitors (Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Mineral, CeraVe Mineral) have comparable safety profiles. Price-point alternatives in chemical sunscreen bases do carry cumulative absorption risks that this mineral formulation avoids.
If you buy it
Apply generously (roughly one-quarter teaspoon for face) and reapply every two hours or after water exposure; mineral sunscreens require adequate thickness to be effective. Mineral products can leave a white cast on darker skin tones due to particle size; test on a small area first. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct heat; sunscreen potency degrades slightly over time, especially if exposed to high temperatures. Discard if product separates persistently, changes color, or reaches the expiration date printed on the container.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 72% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Coppertone has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Coppertone Sport Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50?
- 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
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.