Affiliate Links

Last Updated on March 2, 2026 by Giorgia Guazzarotti

eltamd sunscreen guide

Are you confused by EltaMD sunscreens? The brand has a dozen formulas and they’re all so similar! For starters, all of them use zinc oxide, a mineral filter that provides gentle, broad spectrum protection from ALL UV rays – ON ITS OWN. The catch? It’s thick and leaves a white cast behind. That’s why EltaMD never uses it alone. It pairs it with other UV filters so you can still get excellent protection without the unpleasant texture. Question is, which combination is right for you? Here’s the complete guide to EltaMD sunscreens to help you pick the best formula for your skin type and needs:

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 ($45.00)

EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46 is part mineral, part synthetic. It has 9.0% Zinc oxide and 7.5% Octinoxate. Octinoxate helps to increase the SPF of the sunscreen without leaving a white cast behind. That’s for the sun protection part. Now, for the skincare part, the formula includes hyaluronic acid to deeply hydrate skin, while niacinamide does everything else: it shrinks pores, soothes irritations, strengthens the skin’s protective barrier and helps treat acne. The oil-free, lightweight texture dries to a slightly matte finish. It’s available in both a tinted, deep tinted, and non-tinted version. The non-tinted version leaves a subtle white cast on the skin.

Active ingredients: 9.0% Zinc oxide and 7.5% Octinoxate.

Pros: Provides broad-spectrum protection; hydrating; strengthens the skin’s protective barrier; lightweight texture; available in tinted and non-tinted versions; oil-free.

Cons: Non-water-resistant.

Skin types: Oily and acne-prone skin.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Related: What Are The Best Sunscreens For Oily Skin?

Is your sunscreen up to the job? Download your FREE “Sunscreen Audit” cheatsheet to find out if your sunscreen is both safe AND effective:

EltaMD UV AOX Elements Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($46.00)

An all mineral sunscreen, it has 13.5% Zinc oxide and 4.4% Titanium dioxide to provide broad spectrum protection and a sheer tint to prevent you from turning into Caspar The Ghost. The rest of the formula is silicone-based: silicones fill in fine lines and wrinkles so you look instantly younger. Granted, the effect is only temporary. Hyaluronic Acid, a moisture magnet that attracts and binds to the skin up to 1000 times its weight in water, hydrates skin to boot. The oil-free, lightweight texture dries to a slightly matte finish and leaves no white cast behind. Plus, it’s water-resistant up to 40 minutes.

Active ingredients: 13.5% Zinc oxide and 4.4% Titanium dioxide.

Pros: Provides broad spectrum protection; water-resistant up to 40 minutes; tinted formula; lightweight texture; matte finish; hydrating.

Cons: If you’re not a fan of silicones, this isn’t for you.

Skin type: Sensitive oily skin that needs a basic, irritants-free formula.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Related: 9 Ways To Soothe Sensitive Skin

EltaMD UV Physical Broad Spectrum SPF 41 ($48.00)

Another all mineral sunscreen, this one has 9.0% Zinc oxide and 7.0% Titanium dioxide, plus the tiniest sprinkle of antioxidants to fight off free radicals. Like other mineral formulas from the brand, this one too is tinted to avoid that ghastly cast on your skin. For fairer skin tones, this is also available in a Rosy Tint, although that only has a SPF of 40, not 41. The ingredients are exactly the same though, so I guess playing around with the tint has slightly affected the SPF. I actually prefer that because it’s cheaper, only $43. Anyone, both textures are oil-free, tinted and fairly thick. And water-resistant up to 40 minutes, which is great for those torrid summer days.

Active ingredients: 9.0% Zinc oxide and 7.0% Titanium dioxide

Pros: Broad-spectrum protection; Tinted formula; Oil-free; water-resistant up to 40 minutes.

Cons: Thick texture.

Skin types: Sensitive and rosacea-prone skin.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Related: How To Deal With Rosacea

EltaMD UV Daily Tinted Broad Spectrum SPF 40 ($43.00)

This hybrid sunscreen uses both synthetic and mineral UV filters to provide maximum protection without the grease factor. It also has hyaluronic acid to add moisture to the skin, while petrolatum seals it in and strengthens the skin’s protective barrier. As you can guess from that latest addition, this is a rich and emollient texture that takes a minute or two to absorb. It’s not water-resistant, so it’s more of an everyday kind of sunscreen than something I’d wear at the beach. Did I mention it’s tinted, so you don’t look white as you go through your day? (There’s a deep tinted for darker skin tones and non-tinted version as well, but that does leave a white cast).

Active ingredients: Octinoxate 7.5%, Zinc Oxide 9.0%.

Pros: Provides broad-spectrum protection; moisturising; tinted.

Cons: Texture is too rich for oily skin types.

Skin types: Dry skin.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Related: The Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin

EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 ($46.00)

I’m NOT a fan of spray sunscreens. They have this transparent texture, so you can’t really see it landing it on the skin. Did it land on your face? On your hair? Somewhere else? Plus, it’s so easy to miss a spot. You think you’re fully protected and suddenly some spots are aging faster… I only recommend spray sunscreens for touching up your sunscreen without ruining your makeup during the day. This one only contains 14% zinc oxide in a non-tinted formula. It’s enough to provide broad spectrum protection on its own (provided you can apply it without missing an inch). The texture is oily-free, silky and lightweight – and water-resistant for up to 80 minutes. Still, do NOT wear this at the beach or while exercising. Your skin needs better protection than a spray can give it.

Active ingredients: 14% 9.3% Zinc oxide.

Pros: Provides broad-spectrum protection (when applied properly); lightweight texture; water-resistant; best for touching up your sunscreen during the day without ruining your makeup.

Cons: Easy to miss a spot with spray sunscreen (this is a big enough con to stay away).

Skin types: All skin types.

Fragrance-free: Yes.

Related: How To Reapply Sunscreen Without Ruining Your Makeup

Elta MD UV Skin Recovery Red Color Correcting Green Tint Broad Spectrum SPF 50 ($52.00)

If your skin is red, reactive, or fresh out of a laser appointment – this one’s for you. It’s a 100% mineral SPF 50 with a green tint that cancels redness on contact (color wheel science, baby). The green tint is from synthetic dyes, not some fancy botanical, so the color-correcting is purely cosmetic – but it works. On top of that, the formula is loaded with EltaMD’s patented AA Complex (taurine, arginine, glycine) to repair your barrier, ceramides, Centella Asiatica, hyaluronic acid, and vitamin E to keep things calm and hydrated. Lightweight, no white cast, no greasiness. There’s also an untinted version with the exact same formula if you don’t need the color correction – sheer finish, works on all skin tones (and it’s $2 dollars cheaper, in case that matters).

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 12.9%.

Pros: 100% mineral broad-spectrum SPF 50; neutralizes redness instantly; barrier-repairing; soothing; lightweight; no white cast; oil-free; available in tinted and untinted versions.

Cons: Color correction is cosmetic only; may not blend as seamlessly on deeper skin tones.

Skin Types: Sensitive, redness-prone, rosacea-prone, post-procedure skin.

Fragrance-Free: Yes.

EltaMD UV Restore Tinted Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 ($49.00)

A 100% mineral SPF 40 with 15% Zinc Oxide and 2% Titanium Dioxide. It’s a straightforward, no-nonsense daily sunscreen – the main skincare benefit beyond UV protection is Squalane, which makes it genuinely moisturizing and comfortable to wear throughout the day. The dewy finish makes it a nice pick for dry skin or anyone who finds mineral SPFs too matte or drying. The tinted version uses iron oxides for a natural skin-like finish and adds a layer of HEV (blue) light protection as a bonus. One shade though, and it runs warm – so fair and deep skin tones might find it a tricky match. There’s also an untinted version with the same formula if you’d rather skip the tint altogether.

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 15%, Titanium Dioxide 2%.

Pros: 100% mineral broad-spectrum SPF 40; moisturizing and comfortable; dewy finish; iron oxides add HEV light protection (tinted version); oil-free; fragrance-free; available in tinted and untinted versions.

Cons: Only one tint shade that runs warm – not ideal for all skin tones; not water-resistant.

Skin Types: Dry, normal, and combination skin.

Fragrance-Free: Yes.

EltaMD UV Sheer Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ ($38.00)

A hybrid SPF 50+ that mixes mineral and chemical filters (15% Zinc Oxide and 10% Octocrylene) so you get the broad-spectrum coverage of zinc without as much of the white cast. The Octocrylene also helps stabilize the formula and adds water resistance, making this one water and sweat-resistant for up to 80 minutes, which is genuinely useful if you’re active or live somewhere hot and humid. On the skincare side, it’s got Squalane and Hyaluronic Acid doing the heavy lifting for hydration – both solid, well-dosed ingredients that keep the formula comfortable and moisturizing without feeling greasy. The finish is lightweight and sheer with no white cast, and it works on all skin tones – face and body.

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 15%, Octocrylene 10%.

Pros: Broad-spectrum SPF 50+; hybrid formula with no white cast; water and sweat-resistant (80 minutes); hydrating without being greasy; lightweight sheer finish; works on all skin tones; suitable for face and body; fragrance-free.

Cons: Can feel slightly shiny on oily skin at first application.

Skin Types: All skin types.

Fragrance-Free: Yes.

EltaMD UV Daily Hydration+ Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 ($45.00)

A hybrid SPF 50 with 11% Zinc Oxide and 5% Octisalate. It’s a pretty straightforward daily sunscreen, but the thing it does well is hydration – and it genuinely delivers on that. The star ingredient is Hyaluronic Acid (Sodium Hyaluronate), which sits high enough on the ingredient list to actually do something, and Petrolatum acts as an occlusive to lock that moisture in and prevent water loss throughout the day. The combo makes this noticeably more hydrating than your average mineral SPF. The texture is lightweight, absorbs quickly, and works well under makeup without pilling.

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 11%, Octisalate 5%.

Pros: Broad-spectrum SPF 50; genuinely hydrating; lightweight texture; absorbs quickly; plays well under makeup; fragrance-free; oil-free.

Cons: Not water-resistant; antioxidant claims are largely overstated at those concentrations.

Skin Types: Dry, normal, and combination skin.

Fragrance-Free: Yes.

EltaMD UV Stick Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ ($39.00)

This one is all about convenience. It’s a 100% mineral SPF 50+ stick with a whopping 22% Zinc Oxide, which is a high concentration – great for broad-spectrum protection with no white cast and no mess. The stick format makes it the perfect bag-throw-in for reapplication throughout the day, travel, or slapping SPF on kids without the lotion chaos. It’s also water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, so it actually holds up at the beach or during a workout. The formula is wax-based (Sunflower Seed Wax and Candelilla Wax give it that solid stick texture) and it has Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter to prevent it from feeling too draggy on the skin. One heads up though: because it’s wax-heavy, it tends to pull at the skin a little rather than gliding smoothly.

Active Ingredients: Zinc Oxide 22%.

Pros: 100% mineral broad-spectrum SPF 50+; water-resistant up to 80 minutes; no white cast; mess-free and travel-friendly; suitable for face and body; great for kids; fragrance-free;.

Cons: Wax-based texture can drag on skin during application.

Skin Types: All skin types.

Fragrance-Free: Yes.

Availability

Dermstore and Walmart

The Bottom Line

There you have it, the complete guide to EltaMD sunscreen and how to choose the best one for your skin type and needs. I love that most of their formulas come in a tinted version so you don’t have to suffer through the white cast to get decent protection. Take your pick!