Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Mineral Cream
Low-medium risk; mineral sunscreen with no known PFAS chemistry.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are inert minerals with minimal contamination risk and no PFAS claims from the brand. No third-party lab data exists, though the formulation type poses lower inherent risk.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide base)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Mineral Cream is made of, ingredients and materials
Umbra Sheer uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as UV filters, which sit on skin surface rather than absorbing into it, making them physically stable and unlikely to degrade into harmful byproducts. The 'sheer' formulation typically relies on micronized mineral particles plus a lightweight base (likely silicones, plant oils, or glycerin) to reduce the white cast common in mineral sunscreens. These inorganic UV blockers do not undergo photochemical breakdown in sunlight the way organic filters (like oxybenzone) do, reducing secondary hazard formation.
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.
Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (if present in submicron form)
Micronized titanium dioxide in 'sheer' mineral sunscreens may contain nanoparticles; evidence of skin penetration or toxicity in intact skin remains inconclusive, but EU and some regulatory bodies flag nanoform labeling as a disclosure gap. Drunk Elephant does not specify particle size distribution in public materials.
Fragrance allergens (if scented version)
Umbra Sheer may contain fragrance or essential oils in the base; Drunk Elephant products sometimes use 'clean fragrance' blends without full allergen disclosure. Fragrance is a known trigger for contact dermatitis and photosensitivity, particularly in sun-exposed use.
Photocatalytic irritation or sensitization from mineral UV filters
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) on skin under UV, potentially triggering irritation or delayed sensitization in photosensitive or atopic individuals. This is rare but documented; users with eczema or sun sensitivity should patch-test first.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Lead
No recalls or test results on record for Umbra or Drunk Elephant mineral sunscreens showing metal contaminants. Mineral pigments can carry trace metals if ore sourcing is not controlled, but the brand has not disclosed third-party testing to rule this out.
Source, ATSDR ↗Silicon dioxide (talc-like inert filler) respiratory risk
Mineral sunscreens sometimes include silica or similar anti-caking agents; topical application poses minimal inhalation risk unless powder form is used. No asbestos contamination or respiratory claims are on record for this product.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant publishes full ingredient lists and has marketed itself as a 'clean' brand avoiding banned or controversial additives; the company does not claim heavy metal testing or independent certification (e.g., NSF, EWG Verified), but mineral sunscreens as a category are less prone to contamination than organic filters. The brand has not faced documented recalls or safety litigation tied to this product line. However, the brand maintains strategic silence on PFAS testing despite mineral formulations rarely containing intentional PFAS, which limits confidence in supply-chain transparency.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens are generally considered lower-risk than chemical (organic) filters because they sit on skin and lack absorption-related concerns. Umbra's formula is positioned in the premium segment and competes with products like Colorescience Sunforgettable and Blue Lizard Sensitive; it typically commands higher cost but similar safety profiles. The 'sheer' claim distinguishes it from heavier mineral formulas, though this usually comes from particle size optimization rather than formula chemistry changes that would affect safety.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat (mineral formulas are stable but silicone or oil bases can separate or thicken if overheated). Apply generously (at least 1/4 teaspoon for face) and reapply every two hours or after swimming, as mineral filters can rub off more easily than chemical sunscreens. Patch-test on sensitive skin first, as titanium dioxide or zinc oxide can trigger irritation or photocatalytic reactions in sun-exposed areas for a small subset of users. Discard after one year if stored in bathroom humidity or if texture/color visibly changes.
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.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Mineral Cream?
- Mineral sunscreen, zinc oxide base
- A third party reports verifying it as PFAS-free
- 1,4-dioxane (non-intentional contaminant from surfactants/emulsifiers)
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
- mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide base)
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Synthetic fragrance allergens
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.