This Drunk Elephant Sunscreen Is a Vacation Must

Sunscreen was never one of those skincare products that I felt I had to wear. As someone who grew up in the year-round SoCal sun, I was blessed with skin that tans rather than burns (shout-out to my Mexican ancestors). So, I never thought sunscreen was something I needed — until the power of TikTok convinced me otherwise. Now, when I head out into the sun, I’m always rocking a thin layer of SPF under my makeup.

All that being said, I’m incredibly picky about sunscreen. I hate the way most of them feel on my skin. I also get at least four shades darker in the summer, so I need an SPF that doesn’t leave a white cast on my skin. I also have adult acne, so I need a sunscreen that doesn’t feel greasy or clog my pores. Enter: Drunk Elephant’s Umbra Mineral Cream. I’ve been using the original formulation for years. It’s a staple in my skincare routine and a must-have whenever I’m traveling.

Drunk Elephant 100% Umbra Mineral Cream SPF 30

The brand recently reformulated its product to increase the power of its SPF with 20% zinc oxide. They also made the new formula even more smooth than the previous iteration. I’d see pilling on my skin if I added makeup on top of it, but they seem to have completely erased this problem with the latest edition of the mineral cream.

In addition to the reformulation, Drunk Elephant also introduced a third shade that’s made for darker skin tones. Made with SPF 30, some people with fairer skin tones said they use the moisturizer to achieve a naturally bronzed look, people with darker skin rave about the new shade’s blendability sans white cast.

“This sunscreen is fantastic for medium to deeper skin tones because of its beautiful bronze tint! It not only prevents a white cast but it also offers a healthy sun-kissed glow to my complexion,” wrote one five-star reviewer. “It’s a very nicely hydrating and moisturizing formula without looking and feeling greasy. On days I don’t feel like wearing makeup, this is the perfect beautifier.”

Like all sunscreens, you do need to reapply this every couple of hours. But, it’s small enough to easily fit in your purse. It comes in an untinted option, but I love the tinted version because it effectively covers most of my hyperpigmentation without any concealer or extra foundation — a particularly huge win for when I was traversing the south of Spain in the peak of summer. No one wants to have their makeup melting off while they’re traveling, which makes this mineral sunscreen my secret travel weapon. Not only does it protect me from the sun, it also helps cover blemishes while adding a subtle bronze glow to my skin.

The Umbra sunscreen was also made for people with sensitive skin. Several reviewers with rosacea and acne say it didn’t cause irritation. I can confirm I have never noticed breakouts on my acne-prone skin when I’ve used this. It’s made without silicone, fragrance, or essential oils — all of which can potentially irritate skin. 

Below, shop a few of my other favorite sunscreens, including several that are specifically made for darker skin tones.

More Travel-ready Sunscreens: 

Supergoop! Protec(tint) Daily SPF Tint SPF 50

Black Girl Sunscreen Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30

La Roche-Posay Anthelios Clear Skin Sunscreen SPF 60

Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Niacinamide Dew Balm Face Sunscreen Stick SPF 45

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