EltaMD Sunscreen UV shield Sport Water-Resistant Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 - Tube
Works for
1 of 1 advertised claim delivered
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 3 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
This sunscreen uses organic (so-called "chemical") sunscreen filters. Organic, or "chemical" filters usually provide reliable sun protection and rarely leave a white cast. Sunscreens with organic filters can sting eyes.
Anti-agingNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product can help prevent early signs of skin aging because it offers a good level of broad spectrum sun protection. Sun damage is the main cause of premature skin aging, and protecting your skin from the sun is the best anti-aging strategy.
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
This product offers broad spectrum sun protection. It means that it can prevent hyperpigmentation and help keep the skin tone even (sun damage is the main factor causing age spots, darkening of post-acne marks and other discolorations).
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 8 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: beeswax, cetyl dimethicone.
Keep in mind that this product does not contain effective ingredients to attract water to the upper layer of the skin. This is why an additional product with humectants like glycerin or hyaluronic acid can be helpful (apply it before this product for the best results).
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Iodopropynyl butylcarbamateMedium risk
Comedogenic1 ingredient rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale1 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A broad spectrum sunblock (protects from both UVA and UVB rays). Is suitable for most sensitive skins. In small concentrations, can be used as a colorant
More about Zinc oxideEthylhexyl methoxycinnamate7.5%
- Irritation risk
- High
Octinoxate. When used in higher concentrations, works as a sunscreen protecting the skin from UVB rays. When used in lower concentration, helps to preserve the product formulation. Is shown to be harmful to coral reefs - consider avoiding bathing in coral reef areas when wearing a product with this ingredient. It can be irritating
More about Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamateEthylhexyl salicylate5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Octisalate. A UV filter. It offers some protection against the sun rays that cause sunburn (UVB), but does not protect against the most aging sun rays (UVA). It loses its effectiveness quickly when exposed to sunlight. It is an organic, or so called "chemical" sunscreen
More about Ethylhexyl salicylateWater~40–60%
Isopropyl palmitate~5.2–7.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateOctyldodecyl neopentanoate~3.8–5.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen
More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoateCetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone~2.3–3.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps water and oil mix together. Can help to soften upper layer of the skin
More about Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethiconeHexyl laurate~2–3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product consistency
More about Hexyl lauratePolyglyceryl-4 isostearate~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-4 isostearateCetyl dimethicone~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and creates a nice, light product texture
More about Cetyl dimethiconeSodium chloride~0.9–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideBeeswax~0.55–1.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Forms a protective barrier that holds water and keeps dry skin hydrated. Keeps an emulsion from separating into its oil and liquid components, and increases the thickness of a product. Can be an allergen
More about BeeswaxHydrogenated castor oil~0.45–1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant oil that can help soften the skin. It might be helpful in calming down inflammation, but solid research is lacking. Is often used in lip products to create the needed product consistency
More about Hydrogenated castor oilTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.15–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of silicone that helps oil and water mix well together. Helps to disperse other ingredients, e.g. pigments, evenly in a formulation
More about TriethoxycaprylylsilaneDisodium edta~0.1–0.45%
Butylene glycol~0.05–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture and help delivery of other ingredients. Might be somewhat helpful in attracting water to the upper layer of the skin
More about Butylene glycolTocopheryl acetate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A more stable but less bio-available form of vitamin E compared to Tocopherol. Might help moisturize and protect the skin from free radicals, but mostly used in low concentrations to stabilize other ingredients.
More about Tocopheryl acetateIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Ingredient list view
Zinc oxide, Ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, Ethylhexyl salicylate, Water, Isopropyl palmitate, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Cetyl peg/ppg-10/1 dimethicone, Hexyl laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, Cetyl dimethicone, Sodium chloride, Beeswax, Hydrogenated castor oil, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Disodium edta, Butylene glycol, Tocopheryl acetate, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
Product summary
Based on the ingredients included, we believe that "EltaMD - Sunscreen UV shield Sport Water-Resistant Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 - Tube" can offer reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This is a "mixed" sunscreen in the sense that it uses both mineral and organic (so-called "chemical") sun filters. The organic filters in the product are: octinoxate and octisalate. As for the mineral filters, this sunscreen uses zinc oxide.
Irritation risk
It contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 11 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Final Report on the Safety Assessment of Isopropyl Isostearatejournals.sagepub.com
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.