We Tried Drunk Elephant's New Mineral SPF on 3 Skin Tones

Published on June 25, 2024 at 1:25 PM

POPSUGAR Photography | Renee Rodriguez Anvita Reddy Ariel Baker

Illustration by Keila Gonzalez

POPSUGAR Photography | Renee Rodriguez Anvita Reddy Ariel Baker

Illustration by Keila Gonzalez

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In case you weren't aware: you need to wear SPF every single day. Yes, even if you're sitting inside your house (ever heard of a window?) and even if you only plan on being outside for a few minutes. The sun's UV rays are no joke, and it's important to protect your skin if you want to fend off hyperpigmentation and scarier things, like skin cancer, later on down the line. There are plenty of amazing sunscreens on the market, but if you prefer a physical (vs chemical) formula, it can be harder to find.

For one thing, mineral sunscreens are notorious for leaving behind a white cast, which is especially annoying for people with darker skin tones. They can also sometimes feel sticky, heavy, or hard to blend. When we heard that Drunk Elephant was giving its Umbra Mineral SPF 30 Cream ($36) a facelift to address some of those concerns, we knew we had to try it out. The original formula came in two colors (Sheer and Tinte), but the brand has updated both and added a third shade, Umbra Cocoa. It's also formulated with 20 percent zinc oxide, while promising to be easy to blend.

Like the rest of its products, the sunscreen is fragrance free and made for all skin types — including sensitive. Previously, some consumers had issues with the sheer formula leaving behind a white cast, so we had three editors with different skin tones put it to the test. Keep scrolling to read their honest reviews.

Umbra Mineral SPF 30 Cream

From

$36

Drunk Elephant Umbra Cocoa SPF on Dark Skin

"I really like the way this sunscreen glides onto the skin. Sometimes, with mineral sunscreens there's a slight grit to the formula that I don't particularly enjoy, but this one felt smooth on my skin instead of like a mini exfoliator. Color-wise, I really like the shade Cocoa because it blends out to match my skin tone perfectly and there is no cast - the first issue I typically run into with physical sunscreens. Overall, this is a great mineral SPF option for anyone who prefers a physical sunblock versus a chemical one." — Ariel Baker, associate editor, beauty

Rating:
★★★★☆

Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte SPF on Olive Skin

"I have a hard time with mineral sunscreens because I typically find that they leave a white cast, which I hate. I wasn't a huge fan of the original Drunk Elephant Umbra Sheer formula for that reason, but I was excited to give its latest formulation a try, especially since it's supposed to be great for sensitive skin and I often deal with acne. The shade Umbra Tinte worked well for me and actually blended into my skin seamlessly.

I've been wearing it underneath makeup as well as on its own for my no-makeup makeup days, and I find that it's great at evening out my skin tone and giving me a nice base. I've worn it working out and while sweating heavily, and I love that it doesn't sting or burn my eyes — another pet peeve of mine when it comes to sunscreen. It also didn't break me out whatsoever. Consider this tinted sunscreen sensitive skin approved." — Renee Rodriguez, staff writer and social producer

Rating:
★★★★☆

Drunk Elephant Umbra Cocoa SPF on Tan Skin

"I was not a fan of the brand's original Umbra Sheer SPF 30. It unfortunately gave me a ghastly white cast. When I saw that they released two tinted versions, I wanted to give the formula a fair shot. I tested out the Umbra Tinte and noticed that it was still a bit too light on me with a minor white cast, but it was an improvement from the original. However, the Umbra Cocoa is my exact match, especially in the summertime.

This was easy to blend and left behind a sheer, even-toned coverage that let me skip foundation altogether. The formula is on the thicker side but feels very hydrating on the skin, so it's great for those who lean more dry like I do. This SPF will definitely be in my rotation this summer; it's perfect for everyday use, whether you want a light, natural makeup look or just something gentle and moisturizing that's non-irritating." — Anvita Reddy, assistant editor, commerce

Rating:
★★★★☆

Renee Rodriguez is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.