EltaMD UV Lotion Zinc Oxide Full-Body Broad-Spectrum SPF 30
69/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
EltaMD UV Lotion Zinc Oxide Full-Body Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 pairs mineral Zinc Oxide with chemical Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate. It wears with a dewy finish and low white cast but feels somewhat heavier, and it works poorly as a makeup base, which is common for body lotions. It does not commonly sting and has low breakout risk. With good protection and a score of 69, it is a practical full-body daily option.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
60
- +18 Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate at #1, UV filter
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +1 Label claims (SPF 30)
β’οΈ
Health safety
High
64
- +100 Starting score
- β36 Octinoxate at #1 (regulatory/evidence concern)
π€§
Allergens
Low
94
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Sensitizing preservatives (Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate)
π»
White cast
Low
87
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 7% declared
- +1 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane)
π₯
Eye sting
Low
84
- +100 Starting score
- β16 Octinoxate at #1, migrates into eyes with sweat
πͺ¨
Heavy feel
Medium
60
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 7% declared
- 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
45
- +100 Starting score
- β50 4 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate)
- β5 1 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Cetearyl Glucoside), weak Malassezia signal
π
Fabric stains
Low
85
- +100 Starting score
- β15 Zinc Oxide at #2, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
π§
Moisture
Balanced
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Sodium Hyaluronate at #14, hyaluronic family
β¨
Finish
Dewy
MatteDewy
- β 8 2 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate)
- β 5 Occlusives seal moisture in (Petrolatum)
π
Makeup base
Poor
PillsPrimer
- β 1 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 15 High mineral load at #2 greys under foundation
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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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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Mineral UV filter (Zinc Oxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 41 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 14 7% declared
- β 8 7% 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
-
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
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 17 heavy comedogenic ester
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
- β 24 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 24 feeds malassezia
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 5 minor malassezia feeder
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 14 feeds malassezia
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
- 2 β nourishing hyaluronic family
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
-
16 Polyether-1
Supporting ingredient
-
17 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Supporting ingredient
Does the EltaMD UV Lotion leave a white cast?
No, its white cast is rated low despite the Zinc Oxide. The finish is dewy, though it feels somewhat heavier.
Is the EltaMD UV Lotion Zinc Oxide Full-Body Broad-Spectrum SPF 30 mineral or chemical?
It is a hybrid. It pairs mineral Zinc Oxide with the chemical filter Ethylhexyl Methoxycinnamate.
Is it good?
It scores 69 out of 100 with good protection. It is a practical full-body option, though it works poorly under makeup.