EltaMD Uv Active Broad-Spectrum Spf 50+
79/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
EltaMD UV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+ is a fully mineral sunscreen built on zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, aimed at active, water-resistant wear. It has a balanced finish and a medium feel on skin, and as an all-mineral formula it can show some white cast (rated medium) and is generally less suited to layering under makeup. It is generally low on pore-clogging risk and does not commonly sting, which suits sensitive and exercise-prone skin. With a score of 78.8/100 and good protection, it is a dependable choice for sport and outdoor use.
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
Medium
38
- +100 Starting score
- β42 Zinc Oxide, 19% declared
- β7 Titanium Dioxide, 4% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (23% total declared)
- +7.4 PHSA dispersant, fights agglomeration
- +4.7 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
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Heavy feel
Medium
47
- +100 Starting score
- β30 Zinc Oxide, 19% declared
- β10 Titanium Dioxide, 4% declared
- β3 Hydrogenated Polyisobutene at #11, heavy oil
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
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Fungal acne
Medium
41
- +100 Starting score
- β18 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Sorbitan Olivate)
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- β32 3 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Polyglyceryl-6 Polyricinoleate, Glyceryl Behenate, Polyglyceryl-2 Isostearate)
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Fabric stains
Low
80
- +100 Starting score
- 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 1.5 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 10 Glycerin at #7, the anchor humectant
- β 2 Light emollient/solvent (Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride)
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 1 1 sebum-absorbing powders (Silica)
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Coco-Caprylate/Caprate)
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Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 2 Dry-touch esters, smooth fast-absorbing base
- β 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 3 Humectant syrup tackiness
- β 15 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation
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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 (32)
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 42 19% declared
- β 30 19% 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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Mineral UV filter (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 7 4% declared
- β 10 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
- 2 β nourishing light emollient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- matte β 2 dry-touch emollient, anti-shine
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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7 Glycerin
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 10 β nourishing the anchor humectant
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 18 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 3 heavy oil
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Supporting ingredient
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14 Silica
Mattifying powder, absorbs oil and blurs the finish
- light β 1.5 sebum-absorbing powder
- matte β 1 sebum-absorbing powder
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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23 Xanthan Gum
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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24 Dimethicone
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
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Chelator, binds stray metal ions to keep the formula stable
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27 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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28 Pullulan
Supporting ingredient
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Botanical extract
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31 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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32 Malic Acid
pH adjuster
Is EltaMD UV Active mineral or chemical?
It is a fully mineral sunscreen. The only UV filters are zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, with no chemical filters.
Does the EltaMD Uv Active Broad-Spectrum Spf 50+ leave a white cast?
White cast is rated medium. As an all-mineral formula it can leave some visible residue on skin, which is common for zinc-and-titanium sunscreens.
Is it a good sunscreen?
It scores 78.8/100, which is a good result. It provides good protection and is water-resistant for active wear, though it is generally less suited to layering under makeup.