Drunk Elephant Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer 1.69 fl oz
Lower PFAS concern for standard moisturizer, though Drunk Elephant offers no transparency.
This water-based moisturizer contains no Teflon-family coating coatings or water-repellent finishes tied to PFAS. Drunk Elephant has not disclosed PFAS testing results.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Water-based cosmetic emulsion (moisturizer cream)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Category baseline
PFAS exposure happens more often with clothing products.
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Water-based emulsions require preservative systems to prevent bacterial growth; Drunk Elephant does not publicly disclose preservative chemistry or formaldehyde-release testing. Regulatory limits are typically respected but transparency is absent.
Source: ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
1,4-dioxane (solvent impurity)
No public testing or reports of 1,4-dioxane contamination in Drunk Elephant moisturizers. Water-based formulations have lower risk than certain surfactant-heavy or detergent-based cosmetics, but brand does not disclose manufacturing protocols to rule it out.
Heavy metals
Protini is an opaque white-cream product; no lead, cadmium, or antimony contamination has been reported. Drunk Elephant does not independently test final products for heavy metals, relying on supplier compliance.
Source: FDA ↗Fragrance allergens
Brand markets this product as fragrance-free and essential-oil-free. Ingredient lists confirm absence of synthetic fragrance compounds, reducing risk of sensitization reactions common in scented moisturizers.
Microplastic particles in formulation
No reported microbeads or intentional plastic particles in Protini Polypeptide formula. However, some polypeptide actives are derived from synthetic polymers; Drunk Elephant does not specify sourcing clarity.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Protini Polypeptide Firming Moisturizer is a water-based emulsion combining polypeptides (protein chains), humectants, and emollients in a cream base. The 'polypeptide' active is a marketing term for hydrolyzed plant proteins intended to support skin firmness; it carries no known toxicological concern at cosmetic-use concentrations. Water-based formulations have inherently lower volatility and leaching risk compared to oil or silicone-heavy creams, making them typically safer for skin contact and disposal.
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant markets itself as a 'clean' brand excluding parabens, sulfates, and synthetic fragrance, and maintains ingredient transparency on product pages. However, the brand does not publicly disclose PFAS testing results or supply-chain PFAS audits, which is increasingly expected of premium skincare lines. No recalls or regulatory actions specific to Drunk Elephant moisturizers have been documented. The brand is owned by Estee Lauder Companies, a large conglomerate subject to standard FDA cosmetic regulations but not known for PFAS-specific commitments.
How it compares in its category
Premium moisturizers in this segment typically carry similar water-based formulations and face the same PFAS transparency gaps. Drunk Elephant's price point (roughly $68 USD) places it in the luxury tier, where ingredient disclosure is marginally better than mass-market alternatives but PFAS transparency remains rare across the category. Compared to medical-grade moisturizers (CeraVe, Cetaphil), Drunk Elephant offers no clinically superior safety profile but comparable skin-contact risk levels. The main differentiator is brand marketing and the polypeptide claim, not hazard reduction.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat or sunlight to preserve emulsion stability and prevent separation. Water-based creams are prone to microbial growth if exposed to moisture or contamination; do not add water to the container and replace the cap firmly after each use. Use within 6-12 months of opening; discard if the product separates, changes odor, or shows visible discoloration. Patch test on inner arm first if you have sensitive skin, as even clean formulations can trigger irritation in individual users.
What we don’t know
- 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.
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.