Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Mineral Cream
Low-medium risk; mineral formulas rarely need fluorinated coatings.
This mineral cream tint contains zinc oxide and talc without water-resistance treatments or Teflon-family coating coatings. The brand provides no PFAS-free claim or third-party testing.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral pigments, talc, silicates in emollient base
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.
Heavy metals
Talc mining can co-extract asbestos and cadmium depending on deposit geology and processing standards. Drunk Elephant does not publicly certify talc sourcing or disclose whether independent heavy-metal testing is performed. No recalls or contamination reports specific to this product are on record.
Source: FDA ↗Silicate inhalation risk
Mineral powder sunscreens shed fine silicate particles during application, especially in powder or spray formulations. Umbra Tinte is a cream, so inhalation risk is lower than loose powder; however, if powder derivatives of this line exist, chronic inhalation could pose respiratory concern. No incident reports for this product specifically are documented.
Heavy metals
Titanium dioxide and iron oxide pigments used in mineral sunscreens can contain trace lead, cadmium, or chromium depending on ore source. Cosmetic-grade materials are regulated to limits (e.g., < 10 ppm lead in the US), but sourcing transparency varies by brand. Drunk Elephant does not publish pigment sourcing or testing data.
Source: FDA ↗What’s reassuring
Safe base material
Made from ceramic, mineral, or natural fiber with no PFAS risk.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Drunk Elephant typically avoids formaldehyde-releasing preservatives in branded formulations. No evidence of formaldehyde donors (e.g., DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) has been reported in this product.
Source: ATSDR ↗Fragrance allergens
Umbra Tinte is marketed as lightly scented or unscented, minimizing fragrance allergen exposure. Drunk Elephant does not use synthetic musks or phthalate plasticizers in fragrance; however, full fragrance ingredient disclosure is not always provided.
The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Umbra Tinte is a mineral cream sunscreen built on zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide as UV blockers, combined with talc, silicates, and emollient oils. Mineral sunscreens use physical UV reflection rather than chemical absorption, which is inherently lower-risk for systemic toxicity. The talc and silicate components provide texture and slip; their safety depends entirely on sourcing and processing to exclude asbestos contamination and heavy metals.
The brand's record and disclosure
Drunk Elephant markets aggressively on clean beauty credentials and publishes ingredient lists transparently. The brand avoids several common cosmetic irritants by design (no essential oils, no drying alcohols in most lines). However, the company does not publicly disclose talc sourcing standards, mining origins, or third-party heavy-metal testing results, which is a transparency gap in the mineral powder category.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens are generally safer than chemical filters because they do not bioaccumulate or penetrate skin. Umbra Tinte is positioned at the premium end; comparable alternatives include Blue Lizard Sensitive or Aveeno Hydrosport, which offer similar zinc/titanium formulas. Drunk Elephant's main differentiator is brand prestige and formulation elegance rather than superior hazard profile.
If you buy it
Apply generously to sun-exposed skin 15 minutes before outdoor activity; mineral sunscreens are not absorbed and sit on the skin surface, so reapplication after water exposure or heavy sweating is critical. Store in cool, dry conditions away from direct heat; the emollient base is stable but will separate if exposed to sustained warmth. Discontinue use if skin irritation or rash develops, and patch-test first if you have sensitive skin, as silicates can occasionally cause friction irritation in high concentrations.
What we don’t know
- Basis
- Model estimate, 78% 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.