Sun Bum SPF 50 Face Sunscreen Lotion
Sunscreen with no fluorinated ingredient on record, and no PFAS statement from the brand.
Sun Bum Original has no PFAS statement on record for this sunscreen. Our record does not include an ingredient-level check, so look for fluorinated ingredients such as Teflon-type coating on the label.
We flunk more products than we pass. This one earned its grade. How we grade
Material
Oil-in-water emulsion with waterproofing agents
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Sun Bum SPF 50 Face Sunscreen Lotion is made of, ingredients and materials
Sun Bum SPF 50 Face is an oil-in-water emulsion designed to spread evenly on skin while resisting water and sweat. The waterproofing effect comes from the emulsion structure and wax/silicone components, not fluorinated coatings. Like all sunscreens, it contains UV-absorbing organic or mineral filters (the label specifies these); the lotion base includes common emulsifiers, preservatives, and fragrance to maintain stability and sensory appeal.
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
Sun Bum SPF 50 Face includes fragrance in the formula. Individual sensitivity varies widely; fragrance is a known contact allergen in sunscreens, though this product has not been subject to published allergen testing or complaints of unusual frequency.
Emulsion stability and skin barrier irritation under use
Oil-in-water emulsions can separate or become unstable if stored improperly or if the formula contains high concentrations of volatile components. Repeated application of waterproof sunscreens may occlude pores in some users; this is a category-wide concern, not specific to Sun Bum, but individual tolerance varies.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
Heavy metals
No recalls or public reports document heavy metal (lead, cadmium, arsenic) contamination in Sun Bum sunscreen products. Cosmetics are regulated for trace metal limits; no evidence suggests this product exceeds FDA or industry standards, but independent verification is not available.
Source, FDA ↗Formaldehyde / VOCs
Standard preservatives in cosmetics are approved for skin use. No public alerts link Sun Bum SPF 50 Face to 1,4-dioxane contamination or formaldehyde-releasing agents at unsafe levels. Industry-standard formulations of this type do not typically employ either class.
Source, ATSDR ↗Talc contamination
This is a lotion, not a powder or powder-hybrid sunscreen. Talc is not a standard ingredient in lotion-based face sunscreens. No talc-related hazard is applicable unless the product label lists talc, which it does not on record.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Sun Bum has no public PFAS statement and does not list fluorinated ingredients on the available product label, suggesting avoidance of legacy PFAS chemistry in this formula. The brand has not faced major recalls or regulatory actions specific to heavy metals, allergens, or banned preservatives in this product line. Ingredient transparency is standard for cosmetics under FDA oversight; Sun Bum complies with labeling requirements but does not publish third-party safety certifications or PFAS testing reports.
How it compares in its category
Most face sunscreens at this price point use similar oil-in-water bases and waterproofing agents; Sun Bum's approach is conventional and carries no documented disadvantage versus brands marketed as natural or mineral-only. Mineral-only alternatives (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) avoid organic UV filters but may leave white cast; Sun Bum's hybrid or organic-filter formulations are typical in the mainstream cosmetic sunscreen market. No independent testing has flagged this product for contaminant levels above category norms.
If you buy it
Apply as directed to clean skin 15 minutes before sun exposure; reapply after water contact or every 2 hours. Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat; sunscreens degrade under high temperature and prolonged sunlight. If you develop skin irritation, redness, or allergic reaction, discontinue and patch-test ingredients against known sensitivities. Replace bottle if it separates, smells off, or shows visible mold growth.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Sun Bum Original has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Sun Bum SPF 50 Face Sunscreen Lotion?
- 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.