Elta MD UV Aox Elements Broad-spectrum SPF 50
83/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Elta MD UV Aox Elements Broad-spectrum SPF 50 is a pure mineral sunscreen using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. It has a balanced finish, low white cast and a lightweight feel, which is notable for an all-mineral formula, and it does not commonly sting the eyes. Protection is rated good. With a score of 82.7 out of 100, it is one of the stronger mineral choices here.
Ingredient & SPF scores
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UV protection
Good
75
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
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White cast
Low
77
- +100 Starting score
- β28 Zinc Oxide, 13.5% declared
- β7 Titanium Dioxide, 4.4% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (17.9% total declared)
- +30 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +3 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +4.1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
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Heavy feel
Low
62
- +100 Starting score
- β18 Zinc Oxide, 13.5% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 4.4% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
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Fungal acne
Low
91
- +100 Starting score
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Canola Oil)
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #13, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #17, hyaluronic family
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Canola Oil)
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate)
- β 1 1 emollient lipids (Canola Oil)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 8 1 velvet elastomer fillers, blur and grip
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βFull ingredient list (27)
What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, β / β give the direction, and β / β shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.
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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 28 13.5% declared
- β 18 13.5% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 7 4.4% declared
- β 10 4.4% declared
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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11 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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13 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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Supporting ingredient
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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20 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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21 Bisabolol
Soothing, skin-conditioning active
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22 Carnosine
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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pH adjuster
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26 Canola Oil
Plant oil, an emollient
- 1 β nourishing emollient lipid
- 1 β dewy emollient lipid
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Botanical extract
Does Elta MD UV Aox Elements leave a white cast?
White cast is rated low, which is notable for an all-mineral formula, so it generally blends in without a heavy white film. It has a balanced, lightweight finish.
Is the Elta MD UV Aox Elements Broad-spectrum SPF 50 mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen using Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide. That makes it a good fit for those who prefer mineral filters.
Is Elta MD UV Aox Elements SPF 50 good?
It scores 82.7 out of 100 with protection rated good, making it one of the stronger mineral choices here. It also has a low breakout-trigger rating.