Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Mineral Sunscreen Spf 30 Broad Spectrum 2
Low-medium risk; mineral formula avoids typical PFAS without brand disclosure.
Physical blockers zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are the active ingredients, with no waterproofing claims or water-repellent additives disclosed. The brand has not made a public PFAS commitment or lab data available.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral sunscreen (zinc oxide/titanium dioxide)
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Broad Spectrum is made of, ingredients and materials
Umbra Sheer uses zinc oxide and titanium dioxide as active UV filters, the two mineral sunscreen staples that sit on skin rather than absorbing into it. These inorganic oxides have decades of safety history and do not require PFAS processing for water resistance in typical formulations. The 'sheer' designation means the formula is designed to minimize white cast, likely through micronization of particles or light-scattering adjuvants rather than chemical absorbers, keeping the hazard profile narrow.
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 or undisclosed fragrance components
Drunk Elephant does not publish full fragrance disclosure on this product; the brand uses fragrance blends rather than naming individual components. Individuals with fragrance sensitivity should patch-test or contact the brand for ingredient detail.
Skin irritation from inert formula ingredients
While zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are well-tolerated, some users report stinging from alcohol or other solubilizers in sheer formulations. Reaction frequency is low but not zero, particularly in sensitive or compromised skin.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
Mineral sunscreens themselves (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) do not introduce lead, cadmium, or other heavy metals if sourced responsibly. No contamination recalls exist for this product line.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Mineral sunscreens do not require these processing aids; no reports of contamination in this product or comparable Drunk Elephant formulations.
Source, ATSDR ↗Inadequate water resistance claims
SPF 30 Broad Spectrum rating is reliable for mineral filters; no independent testing disputes exist on record. Reapplication after water exposure remains necessary regardless of brand.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant markets itself as a 'clean' brand but does not publicly disclose PFAS content or absence on this product. The brand has faced scrutiny for vague ingredient transparency and premium pricing relative to substantiation, though no formal recalls or safety violations involving this sunscreen are documented. Parent company Estee Lauder has signed some industry transparency pledges but Drunk Elephant itself has not committed to third-party PFAS testing disclosure.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens like this occupy the lower-risk end of the sunscreen spectrum because they avoid synthetic UV absorbers (oxybenzone, avobenzone) linked to endocrine concerns and water contamination. Drunk Elephant's formulation sits at a premium price tier; equivalent mineral SPF 30 products from brands like Blue Lizard or Neutrogena offer identical active ingredients at lower cost and equivalent efficacy. The 'sheer' marketing is largely about cosmetic elegance rather than safety differentiation.
If you buy it
Apply generously (1/4 teaspoon for face) every two hours or after water exposure; mineral sunscreens do not degrade from heat or UV the way chemical sunscreens do, so storage in normal conditions poses no stability risk. Shake well before use as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide naturally separate from the carrier base. Discontinue if you develop irritation (rare with mineral filters, but possible if you are sensitive to one of the inert ingredients). Replace annually or when the tube dries out; sunscreen efficacy declines over time regardless of formulation type.
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 Sunscreen Spf 30 Broad Spectrum 2?
- 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.