Daily 50 Face Gel
Skip waterproof gel sunscreens without PFAS confirmation from the brand.
This water-resistant gel sunscreen likely contains ingredients to repel water and sweat, but Sun Bum won't disclose whether PFAS is in the formula. No testing data or PFAS-free certification exists.
The safe swap
Raw Elements
Raw Elements Eco Formula SPF 30 Sunscreen
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
water-resistant gel base with UV filters
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.
PFAS
Gel-based water-resistant sunscreens commonly use fluorinated compounds to achieve hydrophobic durability. Sunbum has not publicly confirmed PFAS-free status, and the gel format with water-resistance claim is consistent with PFAS-reliant formulas in the industry.
Source: ATSDR ↗Organic UV filter photostability and skin absorption
If Daily 50 uses chemical absorbers (avobenzone, oxybenzone) rather than inorganic minerals, these can degrade under UV exposure and may be absorbed transdermally in small amounts. Most regulatory bodies consider typical sunscreen-level exposure low-risk, but some consumers prefer mineral-only alternatives to avoid this pathway entirely.
Fragrance allergens
Many gel sunscreens, including beach-oriented brands, contain fragrance compounds to mask sunscreen odor. Daily 50's specific fragrance profile is not detailed in public materials, so undisclosed fragrance allergens (limonene, linalool, etc.) may affect sensitive individuals; this is not unique to this brand but worth checking the label.
What’s reassuring
Polymer coating residue and skin irritation
No reports of excessive irritation or residue buildup from Daily 50 have been publicly documented. Gel formulas can sometimes leave a sticky or filmy residue if not rinsed thoroughly, but this is a cosmetic preference rather than a safety hazard.
Heavy metals
If this product uses titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, regulatory-grade mineral sunscreen ingredients are screened for lead and cadmium contamination. No specific contamination reports for Sunbum products are on record, and FDA oversight of sunscreen raw materials is designed to limit this risk.
Source: FDA ↗The full breakdown
What it's made of and why it matters
Daily 50 is a water-resistant gel-based sunscreen, meaning its staying power in water relies on hydrophobic (water-repelling) ingredients, which in gel formulas often include fluorinated compounds (PFAS) or silicone-based alternatives. Gel sunscreens typically contain UV filters (likely organic absorbers such as avobenzone or oxybenzone, or inorganic minerals like zinc oxide), humectants, and gelling agents. The water-resistant claim with gel texture is a red flag for PFAS presence without explicit brand confirmation otherwise.
The brand's record and disclosure
Sunbum is a mainstream beach and lifestyle brand with no publicly available comprehensive disclosure of PFAS use or commitment to PFAS-free formulations. The brand has not published independent ingredient testing results or third-party certifications (such as MADE SAFE or EWG VERIFY) for this product. Sunbum's silence on PFAS in water-resistant products is consistent with industry practice but represents a gap in transparency that leaves consumers unable to assess fluorine content.
How it compares in its category
Water-resistant gel sunscreens as a class carry higher PFAS risk than non-water-resistant creams or mineral-only sunscreens. Brands like Coppertone and Neutrogena offer similar SPF 50 products in comparable formats but also do not routinely disclose PFAS status. Mineral-only sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) or non-water-resistant gel alternatives eliminate the PFAS pathway but may sacrifice water resistance or cosmetic elegance that users prefer.
If you buy it
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat to prevent any potential destabilization of UV filter components over time. Apply generously (about 1 ounce to full body) and reapply after water exposure or every two hours in continuous sun. Check the printed ingredient label for the specific UV filters used; if fluorine-containing compounds are listed or if the label simply states 'water-resistant polymers' without detail, consider this a marker of possible PFAS. For ongoing use, contact Sunbum directly requesting their PFAS testing and formulation statement to inform a renewal decision.
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
- Sunbum 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.