EltaMD Elta Md UV Daily Broad-spectrum SPF 40-tinted
66/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
EltaMD UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 Tinted is a lightly tinted sunscreen pairing zinc oxide with octinoxate, an older-generation chemical filter. It commonly wears dewy with a low white-cast risk, helped by the tint, and it is generally low in pore-clogging concern. It feels heavier on skin and works poorly as a base under makeup. Scoring around 66 with good protection, it is a reasonable hydrating daily sunscreen for those who prefer a dewy, moisturizing finish.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
60
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
- +1 Label claims (SPF 40)
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
85
- +100 Starting score
- β55 Zinc Oxide at #1
- +38.5 Tinted formula, pigment masks the cast
- +1.2 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
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Heavy feel
High
28
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Zinc Oxide at #1
- β14 Petrolatum at #4, heaviest occlusive
- β18 Mineral suspended in a dense emollient base (strong)
π΄
Comedogenic
Low
83
- +100 Starting score
- β17 Isopropyl Palmitate at #5, heavy comedogenic ester
π
Fungal acne
Medium
57
- +100 Starting score
- β33 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, Oleth-3 Phosphate)
- β10 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Cetearyl Glucoside), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
Medium
45
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #20, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- 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 4 Sodium Hyaluronate at #11, hyaluronic family
β¨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- β 5 2 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate)
- β 5 Occlusives seal moisture in (Petrolatum)
π
Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 3 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
- β 2 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
- β 10 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
π
Water resistance
Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant
Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.
How we rate water resistance βSkincare 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 (22)
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 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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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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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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Occlusive, seals moisture into the skin
- β 14 heaviest occlusive
- 5 β dewy occlusive
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 17 heavy comedogenic ester
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 10 minor malassezia feeder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 4 β nourishing hyaluronic family
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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13 Polyether-1
Supporting ingredient
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14 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Supporting ingredient
-
20 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 1 β dewy slippy emollient ester
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
Is EltaMD UV Daily SPF 40 Tinted mineral or chemical?
It is a combination formula. It pairs mineral zinc oxide with octinoxate, an older-generation chemical filter.
Does the EltaMD Elta Md UV Daily Broad-spectrum SPF 40-tinted work well under makeup?
Not especially. It is rated poor as a makeup base and commonly wears dewy, which can be tricky under powder or full-coverage products.
Does it leave a white cast?
No, it has a low white-cast risk, helped by its light tint, and is generally friendly across skin tones.