Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Mineral Cream SPF 30
Low-medium risk; mineral sunscreen with no known PFAS chemistry.
Zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the UV filters in this mineral cream, requiring no water-resistant film coatings or grease-resistant treatments. Drunk Elephant has not disclosed PFAS sourcing or testing practices.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) in cream base
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Cream SPF is made of, ingredients and materials
Umbra Sheer uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as UV filters, the two mineral actives approved by the FDA that sit on skin rather than absorbing into it. The cream base likely contains glycerin, oils, and emulsifiers typical of luxury sunscreens; these are inert and pose no known safety concern. Mineral filters are physically opaque and do not degrade into problematic byproducts under UV exposure the way some chemical sunscreens do. The main user complaint with mineral sunscreens is white cast and texture, not safety.
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 (nano vs. non-nano particle size)
Drunk Elephant does not disclose whether titanium dioxide in this product is nano-scale. Non-nano particles show lower concern; nano particles raise inhalation concerns if aerosolized during application, though skin application risk is lower. No established harm from sunscreen-use levels in cosmetics, but transparency on particle size is absent.
Fragrance/fragrance allergens
The product likely contains fragrance or essential oils (Drunk Elephant markets scent profile), but the brand does not disclose fragrance ingredients or allergen statements. Fragrance can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals; mineral sunscreens do not require fragrance for efficacy. Full ingredient list would clarify, but this is not publicly detailed in standard marketing materials
Preservative system safety (if synthetic)
Drunk Elephant does not disclose preservatives in public marketing; common options include phenoxyethanol or methylisothiazolinone, both show lower concern at cosmetic use levels but may cause contact allergic reactions in hypersensitive skin. The brand's 'clean' positioning may suggest gentler preservatives, but this is not confirmed.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Emulsifier and thickener irritation or sensitization
Cream-base ingredients (likely cetyl alcohol, stearic acid, common emulsifiers) are standard across dermatologist-recommended sunscreens and carry no known safety flags. No recalls or adverse reports specific to Drunk Elephant sunscreen formulations on record.
Zinc oxide skin irritation or occlusion risk
Zinc oxide shows lower concern for irritation even for sensitive skin; it does not occlude pores in mineral sunscreen formulations at typical SPF 30 concentrations. No specific adverse reports for this product exist in consumer safety databases.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant markets itself as a clean beauty brand emphasizing ingredient transparency, but does not publish detailed PFAS-avoidance statements or third-party certifications (EWG Verified, NSF, etc.). The brand has faced criticism for vague marketing claims and premium pricing that does not always align with ingredient novelty. No major recalls or safety controversies are on record for this specific product line. Their sunscreen portfolio lacks public commitment to avoiding PFAS, though mineral sunscreens typically show lower concern for PFAS risk.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens as a category show lower concern than chemical alternatives by dermatologist and EWG assessment because they do not absorb systemically and avoid degradation byproducts. Drunk Elephant's version sits in the luxury price tier (typically $45-65) alongside brands like Blue Lizard and La Roche-Posay, which offer similar or better transparency. Budget mineral alternatives like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer or Coppertone Pure & Simple offer equivalent active ingredients at 5-10x lower cost but often worse sensory profiles. This product's positioning is premium marketing on a material class that is inherently lower-risk.
If you buy it
Apply generously (quarter-teaspoon face, full ounce body) 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every two hours or after water contact. Store in a cool, dry place; heat will not degrade mineral filters but may soften the cream base. Discontinue if irritation or photosensitivity appears, though zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are rarely allergenic. No special maintenance required; the product does not require regular replacement unless separated or expired (typically 3 years unopened).
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 SPF 30?
- 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.