EltaMD UV Physical Broad Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted Face Sunscreen
79/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 is a pure mineral tinted face sunscreen using Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide. The tint helps offset white cast, so it wears with low cast and a balanced, lightweight finish, while staying gentle with low sting and low pore-clogging risk. The mineral formula is well suited to sensitive and reactive skin. With a score of 79 out of 100 and good protection, it is a reliable daily mineral pick for the face.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
74
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- β1 UVA2 coverage saturated
- +1 Label claims (SPF 41)
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Allergens
Low
94
- +100 Starting score
- β6 Sensitizing preservatives (Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate)
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White cast
Low
86
- +100 Starting score
- β14 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- β18 Titanium Dioxide, 7% declared
- β10 Zinc Oxide + Titanium Dioxide together
- β15 Pure mineral formula (16% total declared)
- +39.9 Tinted formula, pigment masks the cast
- +2.6 Coated minerals (Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Alumina, Hydrogen Dimethicone)
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Heavy feel
Low
62
- +100 Starting score
- β8 Zinc Oxide, 9% declared
- β20 Titanium Dioxide, 7% declared
- β10 Both minerals in the top 3, dual mineral paste
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Comedogenic
Low
81
- +100 Starting score
- β17 Isopropyl Palmitate at #4, heavy comedogenic ester
- β1 Oleic Acid at #24, moderate comedogenic signal
- β1 Palmitic Acid at #25, moderate comedogenic signal
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Fungal acne
High
27
- +100 Starting score
- β24 2 free fatty acids that feed Malassezia (Oleic Acid, Linoleic Acid)
- β12 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 20)
- β33 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, Oleth-3 Phosphate)
- β4 2 ubiquitous fatty ingredients (Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid), weak Malassezia signal
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +100 Starting score
- β40 Iron-oxide pigments at #14, makeup-like collar marks (washable)
- β15 Titanium Dioxide at #1, white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #2, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
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Finish
Balanced
MatteDewy
- β 2 1 dry-touch emollients reduce greasy shine (Octyldodecyl Neopentanoate)
- β 8 2 slippy emollient esters (Isopropyl Palmitate, Ethylhexyl Stearate)
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Makeup base
Okay
PillsPrimer
- β 4 Gel polymers prone to pilling under friction (Polyacrylate-13)
- β 2 Occlusives/waxes float the foundation
- β 7.5 High mineral load at #1 greys under foundation (tinted)
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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 (27)
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 (Titanium Dioxide), high in the list, a primary filter
- β 33 UV protection, incl. long-UVA (UVA1)
- β 18 7% declared
- β 20 7% declared
- β 15 white marks, worst on dark fabric (washable)
- light β 2 mild sebum absorbent
- pills β 7.5 High mineral load greys under foundation (tinted)
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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
- light β 5 mild sebum absorbent
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3 Water
Solvent base, the water phase
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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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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- 4 β dewy slippy emollient ester
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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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8 Alumina
Supporting ingredient
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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
-
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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14 Iron Oxides
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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Supporting ingredient
-
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Supporting ingredient
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20 Quercetin
Supporting ingredient
-
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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24 Oleic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 1 moderate comedogenic signal
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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26 Stearic Acid
Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 2 minor malassezia feeder
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27 Tocopherol
Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
Does EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 leave a white cast?
It is rated low for white cast, helped by the tint. The tinted mineral formula is designed to offset the cast that pure mineral filters can otherwise leave.
Is the EltaMD UV Physical Broad Spectrum SPF 41 Tinted Face Sunscreen mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen. It uses Titanium Dioxide and Zinc Oxide, with no chemical filters, which is generally a good fit for sensitive skin.
Is it good for sensitive skin?
It is well suited to sensitive skin. The mineral filters, low sting rating and low pore-clogging risk make it gentle, and it scores 79 out of 100 with good protection.