
Chemical formulas act like a sponge with ingredients like octinoxate and oxybenzone that absorb harmful UVA and UVB rays and turn them into heat to release from the skin.

Sunscreens fall into two camps: chemical and mineral. The Science: Works as both a chemical and mineral sunscreen But facial sunscreens have come a long way in the last decade as companies have slowly honed and perfected their formulas, and EltaMD’s lightweight, silky SPF is exhibit A.
#Elta md uv clear spf 46 skin#
My skin is happiest when I do next to nothing, so adding a new product into the mix-even something as ubiquitous and basic as sunscreen-always makes me a bit nervous.įacial sunscreen in particular turned me off in my teens and early 20s-the idea of slathering thick, fragrant sunblock on my face every day before applying a full face of makeup triggered alarm bells in my head. If I had it my way, I’d test every anti-aging serum, rich moisturizer, and exfoliating mask on offer, but I keep things extremely bare-bones for fear of inciting a fresh crop of eczema, acne, or both. My skin is so sensitive that by necessity, my routine borders on boring.

About My Skin: Sensitive and acne-prone with a touch of eczema They also sell a line of wound and skincare products often used in burn centers, rehabilitation clinics, and hospitals. Uses: Featuring SPF 46, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and lactic acid, this daily facial sunscreen protects sensitive and acne-prone skin from UVA and UVB rays while improving complexion over time.Īctive Ingredients: 9% transparent zinc oxide, 7.5% octinoxateĪbout the brand: EltaMD Skincare is rooted in medicine-the company has been the leading producer of dermatologist- and physician-dispensed sunscreens in the U.S. Find my unfiltered review of EltaMD’s cult-favorite SPF below.īest for: All skin types, but it’s particularly formulated for sensitive skin that's prone to acne, rosacea, and hyperpigmentation. In short, I finally feel like I’ve found the gold standard in facial sunscreens. What’s more, it’s specifically formulated for sensitive, acne-prone skin (a huge win for me and my eczema and pimple-plagued complexion). This is easily the most non-irritating, absorbent, and low-maintenance facial sunscreen I’ve come across it’s essentially a nice mid-range moisturizer that happens to have SPF 46. But after just three weeks of daily wear, I can confidently say that EltaMD’s UV Clear Facial Sunscreen ($37) is the best SPF I’ve tried. I’ve been experimenting with facial sunscreen products ever since, including NARS' cult-favorite Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer ($45), ILIA's Super Serum Skin Tint ($48), and Neutrogena’s Clear Liquid Sunscreen Lotion ($13). For me, sunscreen was a necessary evil between May and August, not a basic tenet of beauty.įortunately, landing my first job in lifestyle editorial in my mid-20s changed my approach. I realized that fresh-faced 20-somethings like myself were religiously applying sunscreen every day, rain or shine, and that all the anti-aging serums and rejuvenating facials in the world would never replace a solid daily SPF.

In fact, I’d go a full eight months out of the year without slathering a single pump of SPF across my face and think nothing of it. Keep reading for our full product review.įor most of my life, I committed the cardinal sin of skincare: I never wore sunscreen unless I was at the beach. We put EltaMD's UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand.
