EltaMD sunscreen review

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Skin cancer is the most common cancer in the United States and worldwide. Sunscreen can help protect people against this cancer by blocking harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays.

This article discusses EltaMD sunscreen, its pros and cons, and how it compares with other sunscreens available to purchase online.

What is EltaMD?

Elta MD is a Swiss skin care company that began operating in the United States in 1988. The company sells the following products:

• cleansers
• face moisturizers
• treatments and serums
• anti-aging products
• body moisturizers
• post-procedure products
• skin recovery system

At the time of publishing, EltaMD does not appear to have a page with the Better Business Bureau. There is one review and 5-star rating on the company’s Trustpilot page. This review states that the sunscreen EltaMD offers is not greasy.

Negative reviews from Amazon, however, state that the tinted sunscreen EltaMD sells has a color that is too intense. Some customers also state that they experienced redness and irritation after using the sunscreen.

Pros and cons of EltaMD sunscreen

Before purchasing sunscreen from this company, people may wish to consider the following pros and cons.

EltaMD sunscreens

EltaMD sunscreens are either physical or mineral-based, which means they sit on top of the skin and block UV rays, or chemical, which means the ingredients absorb the sun’s rays. Mineral-based sunscreens may be less irritating than chemical sunscreens, which may be beneficial for people with sensitive skin.

Learn more about the differences between mineral and chemical sunscreens.

There are several types of EltaMD sunscreens. The sunscreens are available as lotions, sprays, and lip balms, and come in different SPFs, from 30 to 50+. Additionally, people can purchase clear or tinted products.

People may also choose different sunscreens depending on the following factors.

Skin type

The American Academy of Dermatology defines five different skin types:

• sensitive skin that stings or burns after putting on a product
• dry skin that may flake or itch
• oily skin that may be shiny or greasy
• combination skin that has a mix of dry and oily patches
• normal skin, which is clear and not sensitive to products

Learn more about skin types.

EltaMD has several options for people with sensitive, dry, oily, combination, or acne-prone skin.

Ingredients

EltaMD’s sunscreens may have different ingredients, such as niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.

Niacinamide is a water-soluble form of vitamin B3. This ingredient may provide several beneficial effects, such as:

• anti-inflammatory properties that may improve acne and reduce sebum production
• increasing hydration by reducing the amount of water loss from the skin
• improving pigmentation by reducing redness and blotchiness

Research from 2018 suggests that hyaluronic acid can improve the appearance of wrinkles. The authors note that this ingredient, alone and in combination with lidocaine or other active ingredients, can also improve skin elasticity.

EltaMD’s sunscreens start at $11.50.

EltaMD vs. alternatives 

Alternatives to EltaMD sunscreen include:

• Skin Authority Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 30: This water-resistant product combines chemical-based sunscreen with a hydrating blend of vitamins, aloe, and marine extracts to provide sun protection with a dry finish.
• Éminence Lilikoi Daily Defense Moisturizer SPF 40: This mineral-based sunscreen claims to support skin that has exposure to pollution and blue light. Other key ingredients include passion fruit seed oil, cocoa seed extract, satsuma mandarin peel extract, and larch tree extract. It is vegan and nut- and gluten-free.
• EleVen by Venus Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35: This vegan, reef-safe, and cruelty-free product uses zinc oxide for mineral-based protection against ultraviolet A and B (UVA and UVB) rays.
• La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen SPF 60: This allergy-tested sunscreen is suitable for the outdoors, with water-resistant protection from UVA and UVB rays. It does not contain parabens, oil, oxybenzone, or fragrance.

Learn more about the best sunscreens for the face.

Comparison

The following table provides a direct comparison of one of EltaMD’s sunscreens, UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, and the alternatives described above.

Sunscreen and health

More than 9,500 people are diagnosed with skin cancer every day in the United States. Sunscreen can protect against sun damage and skin cancer. People should apply sunscreen onto their skin whenever they are going outside and reapply regularly during the day.

A sunscreen’s protectiveness depends on its sun protection factor, or SPF. This measurement reflects how much sunburn protection a sunscreen provides, not how long people can be exposed to the sun before experiencing sunburn or further sun damage.

The greater the SPF number, the more protection the lotion provides.

Using an SPF 15 or higher sunscreen every day reduces the risk of squamous cell carcinoma by 40% and melanoma by 50%.

Summary

Sunscreen can help protect against sun damage and reduce the risk of skin cancer. People should apply sunscreen onto their face and other uncovered skin before going outside and apply sunscreen regularly throughout the day.

EltaMD has a range of mineral and chemical sunscreens available to purchase online. The company claims that it has a sunscreen suitable for most skin types, such as dry, oily, and acne-prone skin.