Drunk Elephant Umbra 100% Mineral Cream SPF 30/PA+++ Tinted Face Sunscreen
Low-medium risk; mineral sunscreen avoids intentional PFAS use.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide provide UV protection without requiring water-resistant or stain-repellent coatings. The brand makes no PFAS claims, though manufacturing trace contamination cannot be ruled out.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide) with typical cosmetic emollients
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
The company has not publicly discussed PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
cosmetics is a category where PFAS exposure is more common.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Product contains fragrance (essential oils or fragrance compounds typical in cosmetics); individual sensitivity varies widely. Patch test recommended for sensitive or reactive skin, though serious adverse events are not on record.
Skin irritation or photosensitivity from mineral particles or emollients
Mineral sunscreens can cause mild irritation in individuals with very sensitive or compromised skin barriers; silicone and oil bases may exacerbate congestion in acne-prone skin. No recalls or widespread adverse reports specific to Umbra.
What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Heavy metals
Iron oxide colorants used in tinted mineral sunscreens are cosmetic grade and not associated with systemic toxicity at topical concentrations. No specific testing or adverse event reports for Umbra tint formulation on record.
Source: FDA ↗Talc contamination in powder components
Umbra is a cream, not powder, so talc is unlikely as a base ingredient. No talc-related safety issues reported for this product line.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No publicly available ingredient list identifies formaldehyde donors (like DMDM hydantoin); Drunk Elephant typically uses other preservative chemistries, but full formula transparency is not disclosed.
Source: ATSDR ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Umbra uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as UV blockers, which sit on the skin surface rather than absorbing into it, making them considered safer than chemical sunscreen actives. The formula includes typical cosmetic emollients (oils, silicones, glycerin) to make mineral particles spreadable and non-gritty. Mineral sunscreens avoid many of the hormone-disruption concerns linked to oxybenzone or avobenzone, though they can leave a white cast that some users find cosmetically inconvenient.
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant markets itself as a clean beauty brand emphasizing ingredient transparency, though it does not publish third-party safety testing or independent certifications for individual products. The brand has not faced major safety recalls or regulatory actions on record. However, the company remains silent on intentional PFAS use in formulation or packaging, which is standard opacity in the sunscreen category even among premium brands.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens like Umbra are generally considered lower-risk than chemical formulations because they avoid endocrine-active UV absorbers. This product sits in the premium price tier (typical mineral sunscreens retail between $30-60); efficacy and safety are comparable to other mineral SPF 30 products, though some users report greasiness or slight white residue. No significant safety advantage over drugstore mineral alternatives, though formulation refinement may improve cosmetic feel.
If you buy it
Apply liberally (about 1/4 teaspoon for face) and reapply every 2 hours or after water exposure for labeled protection. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat; mineral sunscreen actives do not degrade significantly in normal home conditions. Mineral formulas are photostable and do not require replacement more frequently than their expiration date. Discontinue if any irritation develops, though allergic reactions to zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are uncommon.
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.
Safer alternatives in Sunscreen
Goddess Garden
Natural Sunscreen SPF 30 6 oz
mineral-based UV filters, plant-derived waxes
Fragrance allergens and undisclosed fragrance components
Limited concern
Skin irritation or photosensitivity from plant oils
Limited concern
Lower-concern mineral sunscreen backed by credible PFAS-exclusion certification.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide)
Heavy metals
Limited concern
Photocatalytic activity of titanium dioxide in sunlight
Limited concern
Skin irritation or sensitivity to mineral film
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral sunscreen backed by third-party verification, no fluorochemical history.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
Raw Elements
Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide), tin packaging
Epoxy resin coating in tin lining
Limited concern
Fragrance allergens
Limited concern
Nano particle inhalation from loose powder form
Limited concern
Low risk. Mineral formula plus explicit PFAS-free stance and certs lower concern.
✓Verified PFAS-free by a third party
More sunscreen 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.