Sun Bum SPF 50 Face Sunscreen Lotion
Waterproof formula raises PFAS concern with no brand transparency provided.
Sun Bum's waterproof lotion typically relies on PFAS or fluorochemical additives to achieve water resistance, but the brand makes no public statement. No ingredient transparency or third-party testing data exists.
The safe swap
Raw Elements
Raw Elements Face & Body Sunscreen Tin SPF 30
100/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Oil-in-water emulsion with waterproofing agents
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
What’s concerning
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent treatments have historically contained PFAS chemicals.
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.
Fragrance allergens and sensitizers
Sun Bum products commonly include fragrance; facial sunscreens with fragrance may trigger contact dermatitis or photosensitivity in sensitive skin. The specific fragrance compounds in this formula are not detailed on accessible ingredient lists, limiting allergen predictability.
1,4-dioxane (contaminant in ethoxylated surfactants)
Oil-in-water emulsions may contain ethoxylated emulsifiers (e.g., polysorbates) that can be contaminated with 1,4-dioxane during manufacturing. No testing data for this product is publicly available; dioxane presence is a known manufacturing concern in cosmetics, not a formulation certainty.
Skin barrier disruption from surfactants or preservatives
Emulsifiers and preservatives in this lotion formulation may strip skin oils or cause irritation with frequent reapplication, especially on sensitive facial skin. Waterproof formulas often require stronger surfactants to maintain stability, which can increase irritation risk in some users.
PFAS
Waterproof sunscreens are a known source of PFAS exposure; Sun Bum's formula meets the waterproof standard but provides no ingredient-level disclosure to rule out fluorinated compounds. Industry studies have detected PFAS in waterproof cosmetics, and brand silence on this category raises concern.
Source: ATSDR ↗What’s reassuring
Heavy metals
No recalls or public testing data have identified heavy metal contamination in Sun Bum SPF 50 Face. If the formula contains titanium dioxide or iron oxides for tint, these are generally recognized as safe in sunscreens at FDA concentrations, but third-party testing is not disclosed.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Sun Bum SPF 50 Face is an oil-in-water emulsion designed to stay on skin during water exposure. Waterproofing in sunscreens typically relies on silicones, waxes, or fluorinated compounds to repel water; the formula's waterproof claims without disclosed PFAS status raise questions about which water-resistance mechanism is used. Oil-in-water bases are generally considered safer than purely oil-based or powder sunscreens for facial application, but the waterproofing agent composition directly affects whether problematic fluorochemicals are present.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sun Bum Original has not published transparency reports on PFAS content or ingredient sourcing, despite the waterproof positioning of this product. The brand does not list certifications from third parties like the Environmental Working Group (EWG) or NSF that would independently verify PFAS absence. This silence on a known risk category in waterproof cosmetics represents a disclosure gap, not necessarily proof of high PFAS content, but limits consumer confidence in safety claims.
How it compares in its category
Most waterproof facial sunscreens on the market use either silicone-based or wax-based water resistance; those certified by EWG or making explicit PFAS-free claims (e.g., some mineral-only formulas) offer clearer safety assurance. Sun Bum's lack of third-party certification or PFAS disclosure places it in the middle-risk group of waterproof sunscreens. Mineral (zinc oxide or titanium dioxide) sunscreens inherently avoid PFAS but often have texture tradeoffs; this chemical formula prioritizes spreadability over ingredient transparency.
If you buy it
Apply generously to face 15 minutes before sun exposure and reapply every 2 hours or after swimming, per label directions. Sunscreen performance does not degrade with heat if stored at room temperature; discard if formula separates or smell changes. If concerned about PFAS, rotate this product with PFAS-free alternatives or contact Sun Bum directly requesting ingredient-level fluorochemical disclosure. Discontinue if skin irritation develops and patch-test on inner arm first.
What we don’t know
- 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.
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.