Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defence SPF 30
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 30 · 1 UV filterBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Evens skin toneSide benefit the brand mentions · Acetyl glucosamine, Vitis vinifera juice extract + 1 moreWorks well
“Dark Spots”
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy20 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Water~45–55%
Zinc oxide20%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideCaprylic/capric triglyceride~7.2–8.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideDicaprylyl carbonate~5.8–7.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps products spread more easily and works as an emollient to soften skin
More about Dicaprylyl carbonateGlycerin~3.7–4.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinPentylene glycol~3.1–3.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to preserve products, dissolve other ingredients and create a nice product texture
More about Pentylene glycolSteareth-2~2.6–3.2%
Propanediol~2.3–2.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolSteareth-21~2–2.4%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidCetearyl alcohol~1.2–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholSilica~1.3–1.5%
Sclerocarya birrea seed oil~0.75–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient that helps to soften the skin. It has a high contetn of oleic acid that might weaken the skin barrier. Might have some anti-oxidant properties. It might be somewhat helpful against hyperpigmentation.
More about Sclerocarya birrea seed oilTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.7–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneCaprylyl glycol~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolCetearyl glucoside~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil in the product mix well together and improves product texture
More about Cetearyl glucosideSodium stearoyl glutamate~0.65–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sodium stearoyl glutamateXanthan gum~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumAloe barbadensis leaf extract~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf extractTocopheryl acetate~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateCaprylhydroxamic acid~0.45–0.7%
Haematococcus pluvialis extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Green algae extract that might contain antioxidant astaxanthin
More about Haematococcus pluvialis extractRaspberry seed oil/tocopheryl succinate aminopropanediol esters~0.45–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateTocopherol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolPhenoxyethanol~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolChondrus crispus extract~0.45–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Red algae extract that helps attract water to the upper layer of the skin and create a nicer product consistency
More about Chondrus crispus extractGlycine~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to attract water to the upper layer of the skin and can help restore the skin barrier function
More about GlycineSucrose~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. In crystal form, it can work as a gentle exfoliant, gentler than the salt scrub. Helps stabilize the emulsion
More about SucroseAcetyl glucosamine~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An effective moisturizing ingredient that also has been shown to be effective in evening out the skin tone and reducing hyperpigmentation. It can help somewhat reduce wrinkles in skin
More about Acetyl glucosamineHelianthus annuus sprout extract~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and can help support the skin barrier
More about Helianthus annuus sprout extractCi 77491~0.3–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A red colorant made of iron oxide. Typically is not irritating
More about Ci 77491Hydrolyzed wheat protein~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin. Avoid if sensitive to gluten
More about Hydrolyzed wheat proteinSimmondsia chinensis seed oil~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Softens the upper layer of skin and helps restore the healthy skin barrier. Has shown to help calm down inflammation in skin. It is a stable oil, meaning that it retains its properties even when exposed to air.
More about Simmondsia chinensis seed oilHelianthus annuus seed oil~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A great emollient due to its high linoleic acid content. One of the most effective plant oils in helping skin hydration and repairing skin barrier function
More about Helianthus annuus seed oilLecithin~0.25–0.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinMaris aqua~0.15–0.3%
Chlorphenesin~0.15–0.25%
Sodium dehydroacetate~0.15–0.3%
Vitis vinifera juice extract~0.1–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Contains AHAs that exfoliate the upper layer of the skin. Can help attract water to the upper layer of the skin due to the sugar content
More about Vitis vinifera juice extractIngredient list view
Water, Zinc oxide, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Glycerin, Pentylene glycol, Steareth-2, Propanediol, Steareth-21, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Cetearyl alcohol, Silica, Sclerocarya birrea seed oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Caprylyl glycol, Cetearyl glucoside, Sodium stearoyl glutamate, Xanthan gum, Aloe barbadensis leaf extract, Tocopheryl acetate, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Caprylhydroxamic acid, Haematococcus pluvialis extract, Raspberry seed oil/tocopheryl succinate aminopropanediol esters, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Chondrus crispus extract, Glycine, Sucrose, Acetyl glucosamine, Helianthus annuus sprout extract, Ci 77491, Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Simmondsia chinensis seed oil, Helianthus annuus seed oil, Lecithin, Maris aqua, Chlorphenesin, Sodium dehydroacetate, Vitis vinifera juice extract
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| Drunk ElephantUmbra Sheer Physical Daily Defence SPF 30YOUR PRODUCT | NEOSTRATAClarify Sheer Hydration Sunscreen with SPF 40 for Blemish-Prone Skin | Lion PoseUnghosted 100% Mineral Sunscreen SPF 42 with Zinc & Squalane | ObagiSun Shield Mineral Broad Spectrum SPF50 Cream | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 37% | 36% | 36% |
| Price | $34.00 | $40.20+$6.20 | $39.00+$5.00 | $60.00+$26.00 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 2 of 13 | 5 of 13 | 3 of 13 |
| Key difference | — | Avobenzone | Isosorbide Dicaprylate | Dipotassium Glycyrrhizate |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 30 | SPF 40 | SPF 42 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: iS Clinical Extreme Protect SPF 40Bliss Block Star Sheer spf 50
Product summary
We believe that "Drunk Elephant - Umbra Sheer Physical Daily Defence SPF 30" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- As for the white cast, the reviewer reported a noticeable whitish residue.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
- As for using this sunscreen in the eye area, the reviewer reported that it does not sting eyes.
About the brand
According to Cruelty-Free Kitty "Drunk Elephant" is cruelty free, but its parent company is not.
Price
The product retails for 29.00£ in the United Kingdom, for 34.00$ in the United States and for 45.00CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 31 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
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