I am a sun protection enthusiast. At any given time, I will have upwards of seven different face sunscreens in rotation inside my vanity. Similar to how I treat my outfits, I like to switch them up depending on my needs for the day. The sunscreen I wear to the beach wildly differs from the lightweight SPF I wear under makeup, and even that has a subcategory depending on whether I want a glowy or matte base.
Regardless of how a sunscreen globs on, the best sunscreen is the one you want to wear every day. After all, sun damage can cause sunburn, skin cancer, and early skin aging, as well as other risks that come with overexposure.
Among my ever-growing collection, there is one standout product I keep coming back to: the EltaMD UV Clear Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 46. Not only is this sunscreen ideal for daily wear for most skin types, but it actively improved the condition of my skin over time, setting it apart from other products in the market that really just protect from the sun.
Why is EltaMD so expensive?
Let’s get right to the most contentious point: The first thing to address when discussing EltaMD UV Clear is its price. At a glance, it may seem expensive compared to drugstore sunscreens. However, a closer look at its formula and performance justifies the cost. EltaMD UV Clear is a broad-spectrum sunscreen, meaning it protects against both UVA and UVB rays, one of the highest levels of protection offered by U.S. sunscreens.
This formula relies on 9 percent zinc oxide to shield your skin, but it’s both a mineral and chemical sunscreen. Unlike chemical-only sunscreens that absorb UV rays and convert them to heat, mineral sunscreens sit on the skin’s surface and reflect harmful rays away. This makes mineral formulas ideal for sensitive skin — but there’s a significant downside: the heavy, gloopy consistency that must be slathered across your nose at the beach, leaving a white cast scarier than Nosferatu.
Thankfully, skincare companies have made great strides with hybrid formulas that perform just as efficiently. Brands like EltaMD offer elegant products that feel like luxury moisturizers but perform as protectively as any other SPF. This particular formula is comfortable and nearly lightweight, making it feel like nothing on your skin thanks to additional skin-loving ingredients like niacinamide — known for its anti-inflammatory properties that calm redness and blotchiness — plus hyaluronic acid, a key to moisture. Unlike most sunscreens, EltaMD’s includes lactic acid, which is a gentle chemical exfoliant. This product will therefore help remove dead skin cells, giving you a healthy glow over time, the more you use it.
Does EltaMD’s sunscreen work?
On the Fitzpatrick skin tone scale, I sit somewhere between type IV and V (which places me in the company of Rihanna or Salma Hayek, depending on my tan). So when my best friend, who sits around Type 1 (akin to Nicole Kidman and my colleague and SPF stan), suggested EltaMD’s product nearly five years ago, I was apprehensive that it would work for me.
As soon as I pumped a little dot onto my hands, I could tell it was different. Unlike the chalky consistency I’ve come to expect from zinc-based sunscreens, this formula was silky and lightweight, blending seamlessly into my skin without leaving any evidence that I was slathered in SPF. The hue was particularly impressive, as it provided a subtle, sheer coverage that worked beautifully with my medium complexion. Another reason I’m willing to invest in EltaMD is its versatility. On days when I’m not in the mood for makeup, the tinted formula provides just enough coverage to even out my skin tone, acting as a lightweight BB cream. This dual functionality has been a game-changer, particularly on busy mornings or casual outings. Even better, if you have a deeper complexion, EltaMD also offers the same great product in a deeper tint, too.
Beyond its performance as a sunscreen, EltaMD UV Clear left my skin feeling hydrated and smooth. The addition of hyaluronic acid made my face look as though I had just applied a high-end moisturizer, while the zinc and niacinamide combo helped calm my typically inflamed skin (which comes with having eczema). Over time, I’ve noticed that my complexion has become more even and radiant, thanks to the inclusion of lactic acid. It’s rare to find a sunscreen that not only protects your skin but also actively improves it, which made EltaMD’s UV Clear a stalwart in my skincare routine — rain or shine.
