EltaMD Uv Physical Spf 41 Sunscreen
79/100 overall score
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About this sunscreen
EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 is a pure mineral sunscreen built on Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, so it suits people who prefer physical filters or have sensitive skin. It keeps a balanced finish, feels lightweight, and is formulated to be low-sting, which makes it comfortable around the eye area. White cast is generally low for a mineral formula, and it is acne-friendly with a low pore-clogging profile. Good protection and a 78/100 score make it a dependable mineral option, though it works only okay as a makeup base.
Ingredient & SPF scores
βοΈ
UV protection
Good
74
- +41 Zinc Oxide at #1, UV filter (UVA1 +18)
- +33 Titanium Dioxide at #2, UV filter (UVA1 +5)
- 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
76
- +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)
- +28.5 Iron-oxide undertone, partial masking
- +4.3 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
83
- +100 Starting score
- β17 Isopropyl Palmitate at #4, heavy comedogenic ester
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Fungal acne
High
28
- +100 Starting score
- β12 1 free fatty acids that feed Malassezia (Linoleic Acid)
- β18 1 polysorbate/sorbitan emulsifiers that feed Malassezia (Polysorbate 20)
- β9 1 oils/butters that feed Malassezia (Lecithin)
- β33 2 long-chain (C12+) esters that feed Malassezia (Isopropyl Palmitate, Oleth-3 Phosphate)
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Fabric stains
Medium
40
- +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)
- β5 Both minerals present, heavier deposit
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Moisture
Light
LightNourishing
- β 5 Zinc Oxide at #1, mild sebum absorbent
- β 2 Titanium Dioxide at #2, 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 (24)
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 14 9% declared
- β 8 9% declared
- 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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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
- 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
- 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
-
Thickener and texture, structures the gel or cream
-
Humectant, pulls water into the skin
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 18 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
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14 Lecithin
Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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Emollient, softens and smooths skin
- β 12 feeds malassezia
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Antioxidant, protects the formula and skin
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17 Quercetin
Supporting ingredient
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
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Emulsifier, keeps oil and water blended
- β 9 feeds malassezia
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20 Ci 77491
Colorant or pigment
- β 40 makeup-like collar marks (washable)
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21 Citric Acid
pH adjuster
-
pH adjuster
-
Preservative, keeps the formula from spoiling
-
Supporting ingredient
Is EltaMD UV Physical mineral or chemical?
It is a pure mineral sunscreen. The only UV filters are Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide, which makes it a good choice for people who prefer physical filters or have sensitive skin.
Does EltaMD UV Physical SPF 41 work for acne-prone skin?
It is generally acne-friendly with a low pore-clogging profile and a balanced, lightweight finish. It is also formulated to be low-sting, so it tends to suit sensitive, breakout-prone skin.
Does it have a white cast?
For a mineral sunscreen its white cast is low. Some lift may still show on deeper skin tones, as zinc and titanium can do, but it is comfortable and blends reasonably well.