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EltaMD Tinted Uv Clear Spf 46 Facial Sunscreen

EltaMD Tinted Uv Clear Spf 46 Facial Sunscreen

74/100 overall score

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About this sunscreen

EltaMD Tinted Uv Clear Spf 46 Facial Sunscreen pairs zinc oxide with octinoxate for a tinted facial formula. It has a balanced finish, low white cast helped by the tint, and a lightweight feel. It does not commonly sting and is low risk for clogging pores. With good SPF 46 protection and a score of 74/100, it is a comfortable everyday facial sunscreen.

Ingredient & SPF scores

β˜€οΈ

UV protection

Good 60
  • +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
  • +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #2, UV filter
  • +1 Label claims (SPF 46)
How we rate uv protection β†’
☒️

Health safety

High 64
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’36 Octinoxate at #2 (regulatory/evidence concern)
How we rate health safety β†’
🀧

Allergens

Low 94
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’6 Sensitizing preservatives (Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate)
How we rate allergens β†’
πŸ‘»

White cast

Low 96
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’14 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
  • +9.8 Tinted formula, pigment masks the cast
  • +0.3 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
How we rate white cast β†’
πŸ”₯

Eye sting

Low 84
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’16 Octinoxate at #2, migrates into eyes with sweat
How we rate eye sting β†’
πŸͺ¨

Heavy feel

Low 94
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’8 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
  • +2 Volatile silicone at #4, flashes off
How we rate heavy feel β†’
πŸ”΄

Comedogenic

Low 98
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’2 Isopropyl Palmitate at #17, heavy comedogenic ester
How we rate comedogenic β†’
πŸ„

Fungal acne

Low 82
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’18 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, Oleth-3 Phosphate)
How we rate fungal acne β†’
πŸ‘•

Fabric stains

Medium 45
  • +100 Starting score
  • βˆ’40 Iron-oxide pigments at #19, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
  • βˆ’15 Zinc Oxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
How we rate fabric stains β†’
πŸ’§

Moisture

Balanced
LightNourishing
  • ← 5 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
  • ← 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
  • β†’ 4 Sodium Hyaluronate at #11, hyaluronic family
  • β†’ 1 Humectant polyols
How we rate moisture β†’
✨

Finish

Balanced
MatteDewy
  • ← 4 Volatile carriers flash off, leaving a dry finish
  • ← 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate)
  • β†’ 2 2 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate)
How we rate finish β†’
πŸ’„

Makeup base

Okay
PillsPrimer
  • β†’ 5 Primer-style base, volatile silicones and dimethicone slip
  • ← 2 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer)
  • ← 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
How we rate makeup base β†’
🌊

Water resistance

Not resistant
Non-water-resistantWater-resistant

Nothing flagged in the ingredient list.

How we rate water resistance β†’

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.

  • ✨ Niacinamide
  • ✨ Vitamin E

Full ingredient list (20)

What each ingredient does and how it moves each rating: green helps, red hurts, ↑ / ↓ give the direction, and ← / β†’ shift a slider toward its ends (finish, moisture, makeup base). Auto-derived from our scoring rules and the ingredient's position.

  1. 1 Zinc Oxide

    Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter

    • ↑ 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
    • ↑ 14 9% declared
    • ↑ 8 9% declared
    • ↑ 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
    • light ← 5 mild sebum absorbent
    • pills ← 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
  2. Legacy UV filter (Octinoxate), high in the list, a primary filter

    • ↑ 18 UV protection
    • ↑ 16 migrates into eyes with sweat
  3. 3 Water

    Solvent base, the water phase

  4. 4 Cyclopentasiloxane

    Volatile silicone, flashes off for a light finish

    • light ← 5 volatile carrier, flashes off
    • matte ← 4 volatile carrier, flashes off
  5. 5 Niacinamide

    Soothing, skin-conditioning active

  6. Emollient, softens and smooths skin

    • matte ← 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
  7. 7 Butylene Glycol

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

    • 1 β†’ nourishing humectant polyol
  8. Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream

  9. 9 Polyisobutene

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

  10. Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

  11. 11 Sodium Hyaluronate

    Humectant, pulls water into the skin

    • 4 β†’ nourishing hyaluronic family
  12. 12 Tocopheryl Acetate

    Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin

  13. 13 Lactic Acid

    pH adjuster

  14. 14 Oleth-3 Phosphate

    Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended

    • ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
  15. 15 Phenoxyethanol

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  16. 16 Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate

    Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling

  17. 17 Isopropyl Palmitate

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

    • ↑ 2 heavy comedogenic ester
    • 1 β†’ dewy slippy emollient ester
    • ↑ 9 feeds malassezia
  18. 18 Ethylhexyl Stearate

    Emollient, softens and smooths skin

    • 1 β†’ dewy slippy emollient ester
  19. 19 Iron Oxides

    Colorant or pigment

    • ↑ 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
  20. Supporting ingredient

Does EltaMD Tinted UV Clear leave a white cast?

It has a low white cast. The tint helps offset the zinc oxide, so it generally blends clear on a range of skin tones.

Is the EltaMD Tinted Uv Clear Spf 46 Facial Sunscreen good for oily or acne-prone skin?

It is generally a good fit, with a balanced finish and low pore-clogging risk. Many with acne-prone skin commonly choose tinted mineral-led facial sunscreens.

Is EltaMD Tinted UV Clear SPF 46 a good sunscreen?

It scores 74 out of 100 with good SPF 46 protection. It is a comfortable, low-cast facial sunscreen for everyday wear.

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