Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Intensive Hydration Serum
Lower concern. Cosmetic serum with no known PFAS ingredients or treatment.
B-Hydra is a hydrating serum with common water-soluble ingredients like glycerin and amino acids. No PFAS-related treatments or waterproofing are typical for liquid serums.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, glycerin, amino acids, botanical extracts
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Drunk Elephant B-Hydra Hydration Serum is made of, ingredients and materials
B-Hydra is primarily water, glycerin (a humectant that draws moisture into skin), amino acids, and botanical extracts. This composition is typical for hydrating serums and carries low inherent chemical concern because glycerin and amino acids are well-tolerated skin conditioning agents with no known endocrine or systemic toxicity in topical use. The botanical extracts (e.g., hyaluronic acid, antioxidants) are present in cosmetic-grade concentrations and do not typically introduce heavy metals or regulated allergens unless contaminated in sourcing, which is not on record for this product.
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.
Microbial contamination in water-based formula
All water-glycerin serums carry inherent risk of microbial growth if preservative levels are insufficient or storage is improper. This is a formulation class risk, not specific to Drunk Elephant, but requires consumer adherence to storage and replacement intervals.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fragrance allergens and sensitization
Ingredient list does not indicate added fragrance or essential oils at concentrations that would trigger fragrance allergen labeling. No sensitization incidents are on record for this product.
Heavy metals
No regulatory action or contamination report has been issued for this serum. Topical serums carry minimal systemic absorption risk even if trace metals were present, though reputable manufacturers should source compliant water and plant extracts.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Published ingredient list does not list formaldehyde releasers (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea). No independent test results confirming absence are on record, but absence from declared ingredients is consistent with brand positioning.
Source, ATSDR ↗1,4-Dioxane as production contaminant
1,4-dioxane is a trace contaminant in some cosmetics from ethoxylation processes. No test result or recall indicates presence in B-Hydra, and this product's simple water-glycerin-extract base is lower risk for this contaminant than complex surfactant formulas.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant markets itself as a 'clean beauty' brand and publishes ingredient lists transparently. The brand does not appear to have faced regulatory action, recalls, or verified safety incidents related to this serum. However, the brand's PFAS stance is silent, meaning no formal public commitment to PFAS avoidance or testing has been documented. Third-party certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Leaping Bunny) are not prominently associated with this specific product based on available information.
How it compares in its category
Hydrating serums in this price tier typically contain similar water-glycerin-extract bases. B-Hydra is not unique in formulation but is positioned at a premium price point. Compared to drugstore alternatives, it offers clearer marketing around ingredient sourcing but does not carry third-party certification advantage. The absence of known preservative-free claims or extreme fragrance loading is consistent with modern clean beauty positioning and reduces concern for formaldehyde releasers or fragrance sensitization relative to heavily perfumed alternatives.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to preserve botanical extracts and prevent microbial growth in the water base. Do not expose to temperatures above 25 degrees Celsius (77 Fahrenheit) for extended periods. Use within 12 months of opening; discard if the serum develops off-odor, cloudiness, or visible separation, as these indicate microbial or chemical degradation. Apply to damp skin to maximize hydration benefit; no special precautions beyond standard cosmetic use (avoid eye contact, discontinue if irritation occurs).
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Drunk Elephant has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
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- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
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