Elta MD Uv Sport Broad-Spectrum Spf 50
71/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
Elta MD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 is a water-resistant style lotion built on Zinc Oxide alongside the chemical filters Octinoxate and Ethylhexyl Salicylate. It commonly wears with low white cast and a balanced finish, sits in the medium range for weight, and is generally non-stinging. It is reported to be low on pore-clogging but works poorly as a makeup base. Scoring 71.2/100 with good protection, it is best suited to sport and outdoor use rather than wear under cosmetics.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
64
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +8 Ethylhexyl Salicylate at #3, UV filter
- β5 UVB coverage saturated
- +2 Label claims (SPF 50)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
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Allergens
Low
94
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Sensitizing preservatives (Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate)
π»
White cast
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- +1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
75
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
- β9 Octisalate at #3, migrates into eyes with sweat
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Medium
57
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- β12 Cera Alba at #4, wax film
- β5 Hydrogenated Castor Oil at #9, butter/occlusive fat
- β18 Mineral suspended in a dense emollient base (strong)
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
93
- +100 Starting score
- β7 Isopropyl Palmitate at #11, heavy comedogenic ester
π
Fungal acne
Medium
72
- +100 Starting score
- β14 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Hydrogenated Castor Oil)
- β14 1 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate)
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 1 Humectant polyols
β¨
Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate)
- β 2 1 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate)
π
Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 6 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
π
Water resistance
Resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
- +7 1 water-locking waxes
- +12 Label claims water resistance (sport / 40-80 min)
Skincare extras
Beneficial actives this formula contains. Informational only, not part of the rating: their effect depends on a concentration the label does not disclose.
- β¨ Vitamin E
Full ingredient list (16)
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 14 9% declared
- β 8 9% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 15 High mineral load greys under foundation
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Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 18 UV protection
- β 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Legacy UV filter (Octisalate), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 8 UV protection
- β 9 migrates into eyes with sweat
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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 12 wax film
- β 7 wax water lock
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 1 β nourishing humectant polyol
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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Plant oil, an emollient
- β 5 butter/occlusive fat
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 7 heavy comedogenic ester
- 2 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 1 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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13 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
Supporting ingredient
Is Elta MD UV Sport Broad-Spectrum mineral or chemical?
It is a combination sunscreen, using Zinc Oxide alongside the chemical filters Octinoxate and Ethylhexyl Salicylate.
Does Elta MD UV Sport work under makeup?
It is reported to perform poorly as a makeup base, so it suits bare skin and sport or outdoor use better than wear under cosmetics.
Is Elta MD UV Sport SPF 50 good?
It scores 71.2/100 with good protection. It is best suited to active outdoor and sport use.