DewscopeSunscreen3 min read
EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Review: Still the Best Daily SPF for Breakouts and Redness?
EltaMD UV Clear pairs 9% zinc oxide with 5% niacinamide in a fragrance-free, oil-free base. It suits acne-prone and rosacea-prone skin, but $46 and no water resistance are real limits.
Our verdict
A very good daily face sunscreen for acne-prone and rosacea-prone skin: fragrance-free, oil-free, with 9% zinc oxide and niacinamide. But the reputation outruns the product. It costs about $27 an ounce, is not water resistant, and suits lighter skin tones best.
Best forBreakout-prone or reactive skin that wants a fragrance-free daily SPF
What we liked
- 9% zinc oxide plus 5% niacinamide in a fragrance-free formula
- Oil-free and non-comedogenic by the maker's description
- Thin enough to wear alone or under makeup
- Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation for daily use
What held it back
- About $27 per ounce at the $46 list price for 1.7 oz
- Not water resistant, so it needs frequent re-application
- Maker says it works best on fair to medium skin tones
- MakeupAlley users rate it only 3.6 out of 5 on average
Start with the label, because the label is the argument. UV Clear carries 9% zinc oxide and 7.5% octinoxate as its sunscreen actives, plus 5% niacinamide, in a fragrance-free, oil-free base made for skin that breaks out or flushes. Nothing else at the pharmacy counter lines those up so neatly, and that is why dermatologists keep handing it over. It is still $46 for 1.7 oz, and it has limits the brand's fans tend to skip.
Why acne-prone and rosacea-prone skin keeps landing here
The brand pitches the formula at three groups: sensitive skin, rosacea and acne-prone skin. The ingredient list backs the pitch. Niacinamide sits third on the inactive list, behind water and cyclopentasiloxane. Lactic acid and sodium hyaluronate are in there at the tail. The formula is oil-free, paraben-free and non-comedogenic by the maker's description.
The reason it suits reactive skin is mostly what is missing: no fragrance and no heavy oils. Zinc oxide is the main UV filter doing the work, and it is generally considered kind to irritated skin. The octinoxate is the chemical filter that keeps the texture thin enough to wear under makeup, which is why this is not a thick white paste.
