Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream
Lower concern; typical moisturizer formula lacks known PFAS risk factors.
Peptides and ceramides in this water-based cream are standard emulsion ingredients with no established PFAS pathway. Drunk Elephant makes no public PFAS claims or certifications.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water-based moisturizing cream; primary actives include peptide complex, ceramides, glycerin
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Cream is made of, ingredients and materials
Protini is a water-based cream formulated with a peptide complex (hydrolyzed proteins), ceramides (skin-barrier lipids), and glycerin (humectant). This material composition is conventional in premium moisturizers and carries no inherent chemical hazards beyond standard cosmetic risk profiles. The water-based delivery system avoids occlusive oils that can trap contaminants; peptides and ceramides are generally recognized as safe ingredients in cosmetics with established skin-tolerance history. No exotic or poorly regulated actives are present.
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.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Drunk Elephant Protini contains fragrance listed on the label; while the brand emphasizes minimal scent, undisclosed fragrance components (common allergens include limonene, linalool) may trigger contact dermatitis or respiratory sensitivity in susceptible users. No specific fragrance disclosure or hypoallergenic certification is provided.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Cosmetic preservatives (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, if present) can slowly release trace formaldehyde; Drunk Elephant does not publicly disclose its full preservative system. At typical cosmetic concentrations, systemic risk is low, but localized sensitization or irritation is possible in individuals with formaldehyde sensitivity.
Source, ATSDR ↗Eye and mucous membrane irritation from peptide or ceramide particles
If product contacts eyes or lips, the peptide complex or particulate ceramides could cause temporary irritation or redness; this is a use-safety issue rather than a toxicity hazard. Discontinue contact and rinse with water if irritation occurs.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Protini is a white/cream-colored emulsion; if synthetic or natural colorants are used, trace cadmium or lead uptake is theoretically possible but no documented contamination or recalls exist for this product line. Standard cosmetic industry testing would catch unsafe levels.
Source, FDA ↗Microplastic or plastic microbeads
No exfoliating beads, polyethylene microplastics, or microplastic propellants are reported in Protini formulation. The cream is a simple emulsion without physical abrasives.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant does not publicly disclose PFAS testing or avoidance commitments, which is typical for many cosmetic brands but reflects limited transparency on this emerging concern. The brand has not faced major safety recalls or regulatory actions related to Protini. However, the company's parent (ELC Industries, Estee Lauder) operates under general cosmetic safety compliance rather than proactive third-party certification. No independent audits or third-party ingredient verification certifications (e.g., EWG verification) are published for this product.
How it compares in its category
Protini sits at the premium price tier with a peptide-focused marketing angle; ingredient-wise it is comparable to mass-market peptide moisturizers (e.g., Olay Regenerist) in safety profile, though formulation density differs. Most mainstream moisturizers in this category carry identical hazard profiles, trace heavy metals in mineral pigments (if any color additives used), potential fragrance sensitizers, and low-level formaldehyde releaser risk from preservative systems. Drunk Elephant's use of minimal fragrance (clean beauty positioning) slightly reduces allergen exposure versus scented competitors.
If you buy it
Apply a dime-sized amount to clean, damp skin once or twice daily; do not ingest. Store at room temperature away from direct heat or sunlight, as peptide structures can degrade under extreme conditions (above 77F prolonged exposure is not ideal, though typical bathroom storage poses no risk). Discontinue use immediately if rash, irritation, or allergic reaction develops. Replace if the formula separates, discolors, or develops odor; unopened shelf life is typically 2-3 years.
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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More moisturizer 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.