Sun Bum Original SPF Lotion Sunscreen
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/water emulsion lotion base with waterproofing actives
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
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What Sun Bum Original SPF Lotion Sunscreen is made of, ingredients and materials
Sun Bum Original is an oil-water emulsion lotion containing UV-active organic (chemical) filters and waterproofing agents. The lotion base uses emulsifiers and preservatives typical of cosmetic sunscreens; no PFAS-class fluorinated ingredients appear on the ingredient list or public record. The waterproofing function comes from the emulsion chemistry itself, not from applied PFAS coatings.
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 and contact sensitizers
Sun Bum Original contains fragrance (listed in INCI). Fragrance compounds are a known trigger for contact dermatitis and allergic reactions in a subset of users; this is a category-wide concern but varies by individual sensitivity.
Preservative sensitivity (methylisothiazolinone, paraben-class, or phenoxyethanol)
Sunscreen lotions require preservatives; common ones (parabens, phenoxyethanol, isothiazolinones) are recognized contact allergens. The exact preservative system in Sun Bum Original lotion is not independently verified here, but sensitivity reactions are reported in some users of comparable products.
Organic UV filter photostability and skin penetration
Chemical sunscreens (including those in Sun Bum Original) contain organic UV absorbers that degrade under UV exposure and require frequent reapplication. Some organic filters (e.g., avobenzone, octinoxate) have been detected in small amounts in bloodstream during safety studies, though clinical significance is debated; sunscreen benefits generally outweigh this concern.
Lotion base stability under heat or light
Oil-water emulsions can separate, oxidize, or degrade if exposed to heat or prolonged sunlight. This affects efficacy and can lead to uneven UV protection rather than acute toxicity, but storage conditions matter for performance.
What’s reassuring
Base material not linked to PFAS
The main material recorded for this product is not one associated with PFAS.
PFAS
Sun Bum Original markets waterproofing but does not claim PFAS-based technology. No fluorinated ingredients are disclosed, suggesting water resistance derives from emulsion and wax-type agents rather than PFAS, consistent with its PFAS safety rating.
Source, ATSDR ↗How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Sun Bum has not published a specific PFAS statement or transparency report. The brand markets itself as reef-safe (avoiding oxybenzone and octinoxate) and has maintained this positioning across product lines. No major product recalls or safety controversies tied to this lotion are on public record. Ingredient labeling complies with FDA cosmetic rules but does not exceed them.
How it compares in its category
Sun Bum Original occupies the mid-market chemical sunscreen space. It avoids some known reef-concern actives, placing it ahead of budget sunscreens that may still contain those ingredients. Compared to mineral (zinc-oxide or titanium-dioxide) sunscreens, it carries a slightly higher hazard profile for skin sensitization but offers better cosmetic elegance and water resistance. Compared to other chemical sunscreens at similar price, it is broadly equivalent in hazard class.
If you buy it
Patch-test on inner arm or behind ear first, especially if you have fragrance or preservative sensitivities (common in sunscreens). Store in a cool, dry place away from direct heat; do not leave in cars or direct sunlight for extended periods, as lotion bases can separate or degrade. Reapply every 2 hours or after swimming, per label direction. Discontinue immediately if rash, stinging, or swelling occurs.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 55% 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 Original SPF Lotion Sunscreen?
- 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.