Drunk Elephant C-Luma Hydrabright Gentle Hydrating Vitamin C Serum
Lower concern cosmetic serum; no known PFAS triggers identified.
Liquid vitamin C serum with standard cosmetic ingredients. No water-repellent treatments, nonstick coatings, or disclosed PFAS. Drunk Elephant makes no PFAS claims either way.
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-Luma Vitamin C Serum is made of, ingredients and materials
C-Luma is a water and glycerin serum with ascorbic acid (vitamin C) as the active ingredient, plus plant extracts and humectants. This composition avoids common cosmetic red flags, no talc, no mineral oil, no obvious fragrance allergen load listed. Glycerin and water are inert hydrating agents with no known leaching hazards. The vitamin C itself is photolabile (degrades in light) but not a safety hazard; it simply loses efficacy over time.
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.
Heavy metals
No independent lab testing for lead, cadmium, or arsenic in this serum is on public record. Plant extracts (e.g., botanical powders) can accumulate heavy metals from soil; Drunk Elephant does not disclose metal screening or sourcing standards for extracts.
Source, FDA ↗Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance chemicals
The ingredient list does not name essential oils or fragrance, but 'botanical extracts' and fragrance masking agents may include undisclosed sensitizers. Fragrance disclosure is not required in the U.S. if ingredients are proprietary blends.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No 1,4-dioxane or formaldehyde releaser preservatives are listed on the ingredient label. The product uses glycerin and plant extracts without noted synthetic preservative systems that typically generate this contaminant.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination
This is a liquid serum with no talc in the formulation. Talc contamination is not a concern for water-based serums.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
The stated preservative system (if present in unlisted trace amounts) is not specified as a formaldehyde releaser. Water-glycerin serums typically rely on pH buffering or natural preservation rather than aldehyde-based preservatives.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant publishes ingredient transparency and positions itself as 'clean beauty,' but the brand has not issued formal PFAS testing or certification statements. The company avoids listed banned/restricted cosmetic ingredients but does not publicly commit to heavy metal screening or independent third-party certification (e.g., EWG Verified, NSF). No major recalls or safety controversies specific to this product line are on record.
How it compares in its category
Vitamin C serums in this tier (premium price point) typically use similar water-glycerin bases. Drunk Elephant's formulation is less likely to contain undisclosed fragrance allergens or essential oils compared to botanical-heavy serums from smaller brands. However, it carries no formal heavy metal or contaminant testing badge, placing it in the middle of the transparency spectrum versus certified clean brands or clinical-grade alternatives.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dark place or original packaging to slow vitamin C degradation; heat and light do not release hazardous fumes but render the product less effective. Opened bottles begin to oxidize within weeks; replace if the liquid turns brown or develops an off smell. Patch test on inner arm first if you have reactive skin; water-based serums rarely trigger irritation but botanical extracts vary by individual sensitivity. Use within 6-12 months of opening for optimal potency.
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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3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
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