Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Vitamin-C Day Serum
Lower concern cosmetic serum; no known PFAS exposure risk.
Liquid vitamin C serum with common cosmetic ingredients. No known PFAS-containing compounds in typical formulations; brand makes no PFAS claims or disclosures.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
water, glycerin, vitamin C, botanical extracts
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Drunk Elephant C-Firma Fresh Day Serum is made of, ingredients and materials
C-Firma Fresh is a water and glycerin base serum with L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C) and plant extracts including fermented green tea, kakadu plum, and ferulic acid. The formulation avoids known irritants like synthetic fragrance allergens and does not use talc. Vitamin C serums are stable in aqueous form but depend on pH and packaging to prevent oxidation; this product uses a dropper bottle that limits air exposure. No synthetic dyes, heavy metal pigments, or formaldehyde-releasing preservatives have been disclosed in the ingredient list.
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.
1,4-dioxane as preservative byproduct
Water-based formulations with ethoxylated ingredients (e.g., certain emulsifiers or solubilizers) can contain trace 1,4-dioxane as a manufacturing contaminant. Drunk Elephant does not disclose manufacturing removal steps; risk is typical for the category but unquantified for this brand.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Fragrance allergen exposure
Product does not list synthetic fragrance; natural plant extracts carry potential for contact sensitization in susceptible individuals, but this is low-incidence and not a formulation defect.
Heavy metals
No recalls or test results for lead, cadmium, or arsenic in Drunk Elephant serums are on record. Source and testing of fermented green tea and kakadu plum are not publicly disclosed.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Published ingredient list does not include DMDM hydantoin, diazolidinyl urea, imidazolidinyl urea, or other formaldehyde releasers; preservative system is not fully transparent but appears to use phenoxyethanol or similar non-releasing agents.
Source, ATSDR ↗Bottle leaching into product
Glass dropper bottle with rubber/silicone bulb is low-risk for leaching. No evidence of BPA or phthalates from packaging in this product line; sealing integrity depends on proper closure after use.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant publishes ingredient transparency and markets a "clean" positioning but does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or certification. The brand has faced criticism for selective ingredient standards and greenwashing claims but no recalls or substantiated safety violations specific to C-Firma Fresh are on record. Formulation updates are not always clearly communicated; this product was reformulated in 2021 but changes were announced post-launch. The brand does not pursue third-party certifications like Leaping Bunny or Cosmos.
How it compares in its category
Vitamin C serums across brands vary widely in stabilization and preservative choice. C-Firma Fresh's water-glycerin base is mainstream for the category and avoids high-risk preservatives like methylisothiazolinone. Comparable products from The Ordinary, La Roche-Posay, and Skinceuticals use similar chemistries. Drunk Elephant's price point is at the premium end; the ingredient profile does not justify a lower hazard tier than mid-range alternatives, though packaging design (opaque dropper) is a practical advantage.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight to slow vitamin C oxidation; the dropper design reduces air contact but does not eliminate it. Do not expose to heat or leave open for extended periods. Discard if the liquid yellows noticeably or smells rancid, which signals oxidation. Use within 6-12 months of opening. Patch test on arm or behind ear first if you have reactive skin, as vitamin C and fermented botanicals can trigger sensitivity in some users.
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
- 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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3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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