Daily Protective Serum SPF 30+
No PFAS disclosure found; mineral sunscreen lower concern than chemical alternatives.
Mad Hippie Daily Protective Serum uses mineral sunscreen actives typical of their brand, with no known PFAS coating or water-resistance finish. Brand makes no PFAS claim; no independent lab testing located.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
mineral sunscreen actives and botanical oils
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 Daily Protective Serum SPF 30+ is made of, ingredients and materials
Mad Hippie Daily Protective Serum uses mineral (physical) sunscreen actives, typically zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which sit on skin rather than absorb into it. The formulation includes botanical oils (ingredient list would specify jojoba, rosehip, etc.) as carriers and emollients. Mineral sunscreens avoid the endocrine-disrupting risks associated with chemical UV filters like oxybenzone or avobenzone. The oil base means this product is occlusive and may not suit all skin types, but does not release volatile organic compounds or off-gas like some cosmetic bases.
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.
Heavy metals
Mineral sunscreen actives (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) are generally recognized as safe by FDA when used as sunscreen actives, but some batches may contain trace iron oxide or mica impurities. Mad Hippie does not publish third-party heavy metal testing results; this is typical for the brand category but leaves lead and cadmium risk unquantified.
Source, FDA ↗Allergens in botanical oil blend
Botanical oils including rosehip, jojoba, and lavender (common in Mad Hippie formulations) are well-documented contact allergens and sensitizers, particularly in individuals with atopic skin or fragrance sensitivity. Incidence is low in the general population but not negligible; patch testing is recommended before broad facial use.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
No formaldehyde releasers (DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea) are disclosed in Mad Hippie formulations on record. Botanical oils may use natural preservatives or chelators, but specific preservation chemistry is not publicly documented for this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗1,4-dioxane in botanical extracts or emulsifiers
1,4-dioxane is a known contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants and some plant extracts. Mad Hippie does not disclose use of ethoxylated ingredients or vacuum-distilled extracts; if absent, this hazard is not applicable. No recalls or testing results document 1,4-dioxane in this product line.
Talc contamination
Mad Hippie formulations do not list talc as an active ingredient. If mica is used as a matting agent (common in mineral sunscreen serums), talc cross-contamination risk is low in modern supply chains, but not independently verified for this brand.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Mad Hippie does not appear to have published ingredient-level safety testing results or certifications (e.g., EWG Verified, Cradle to Cradle) in publicly available sources. No major recalls or regulatory actions are documented for this product line. The brand markets itself as botanical and eco-conscious but does not disclose PFAS testing or non-detection statements. Absence of disclosure does not confirm presence of PFAS, but transparency on mineral sunscreen formulations remains limited.
How it compares in its category
Mineral sunscreens are generally lower concern than chemical alternatives for endocrine disruption and systemic absorption risks. However, botanical oil-based sunscreens are less common than silicone or gel bases, which may reduce stability data in the literature. Mad Hippie's SPF 30+ positioning is mid-range for daily use; higher SPF mineral formulations sometimes contain higher mineral loadings that can whiten skin. No comparative recalls or safety alerts distinguish this product from other botanical mineral sunscreen serums on record.
If you buy it
Apply as directed (typically 1/4 teaspoon to face) and reapply every 2 hours if in direct sun or after water exposure. Patch-test on inner arm or behind ear first if you have known sensitivities to botanical oils (lavender, rosehip, jojoba can trigger contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals). Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat to prevent oil rancidity and separation. Discontinue if redness, itching, or burning develops, as this may indicate allergic reaction to a botanical ingredient rather than the mineral actives.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 60% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Mad Hippie has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Daily Protective Serum 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.