EltaMD UV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Cream
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 50 · 2 UV filtersBroad spectrum
This product offers a good level of protection against both UVB and UVA rays.
It is a mineral sunscreen. In other words, it contains non-organic UV filters. It will probably not sting your eyes but might leave a white cast.
This product can be considered "reef safe" because it does not contain the UV filters (oxybenzone and octinoxate) that can be harmful to coral reefs when present in the water in high concentrations.
Anti-agingTocopherolWorks well
“Protect your skin from aging and dehydration with EltaMD's UV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+.”
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.
Anti-oxidationNot advertised by the brand · Polygonum aviculare extract, TocopherolWorks well
This product contains antioxidants (polygonum aviculare extract) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
Evens skin toneNot advertised by the brand · No ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
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).
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Coco-caprylate/caprate + 9 moreWorks
“Protect your skin from aging and dehydration with EltaMD's UV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF 50+.”
This product can help improve hydration of the skin with the two types of ingredients.
The first type is called “humectants”:
these ingredients help attract water.
When humectants are on the surface of the skin, they “pull in” the moisture from the outside environment, or from
within deeper layers of the skin. The following ingredients in this product do the job:
glycerin, caprylyl glycol.
This product also contains ingredients called “occlusives”. They help reduce the speed with which our skin loses moisture to the outside environment. These ingredients also help soften the upper layer of the skin, so it feels less tight and nicer to the touch. The following ingredients in this product do the job: caprylic/capric triglyceride, dimethicone.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy13 flagged ingredientsLow risk
ComedogenicClean of flagged comedogenic ingredientsNone flagged
User reviews
1 of 1 community members would buy it again.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Works as a UV filter when used in high concentrations. It is photostable and is effective mostly against the UVB light, with some protection in the UVA range. In small concentrations, used for its ability to improve the color of cosmetic products. Is usually well tolerated by the skin
More about Titanium dioxideZinc oxide19%
- 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 oxideWater~45–55%
Caprylic/capric triglyceride~6.8–8.3%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A good mix of fatty acids that forms a protective layer on the skin. Improves the shelf life of products. Derived from coconut and glycerin
More about Caprylic/capric triglycerideCoco-caprylate/caprate~6.6–8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateEthyl macadamiate~4.2–5.1%
Glycerin~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Naturally present in skin. It attracts water to the upper layer of the skin working as a humectant
More about GlycerinSorbitan olivate~3.1–3.7%
Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleateC15-19 alkane~2.2–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about C15-19 alkaneHydrogenated polyisobutene~1.9–2.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to improve the product consistency and soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrogenated polyisobuteneSodium chloride~1.4–1.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideTriethoxycaprylylsilane~1.1–1.4%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneSilica~1.3–1.5%
Tocopherol~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Pure form of vitamin E. Can help moisturise and protect the skin from free radicals. Often used to help stabilise other ingredients or the formula itself
More about TocopherolGlyceryl behenate~1–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and help soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Glyceryl behenateHydroxyacetophenone~0.8–1.2%
Polyhydroxystearic acid~0.8–1.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidPolyglyceryl-2 isostearate~0.7–1.05%
Disteardimonium hectorite~0.6–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectorite1,2-hexanediol~0.55–0.85%
Caprylyl glycol~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps preserve products and creates a nice product texture
More about Caprylyl glycolHydrolyzed jojoba esters~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Hydrolyzed jojoba estersXanthan gum~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumDimethicone~0.55–0.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A silicone that helps to reduce water loss from the surface of the skin. Can temporarily "fill in" lines and wrinkles, absorb oil, and create a nice product finish
More about DimethiconeSclerotium gum~0.4–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumLecithin~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinPullulan~0.35–0.6%
- Irritation risk
- High
Creates a thin drying film on the skin resulting in a short-term tightening effect
More about PullulanTrisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to improve stability of the formulation
More about Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinateJojoba esters~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An emollient made of jojoba oil. Helps soften the skin and support its barrier function
More about Jojoba estersPolygonum aviculare extract~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A plant extract that contains a flavanol Juglanin. It can help neutralize free radicals in skin and reduce inflammation
More about Polygonum aviculare extractMalic acid~0.15–0.25%
Potassium sorbate~0.15–0.25%
Sodium benzoate~0.1–0.2%
Ingredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Ethyl macadamiate, Glycerin, Sorbitan olivate, Polyglyceryl-6 polyricinoleate, C15-19 alkane, Hydrogenated polyisobutene, Sodium chloride, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Silica, Tocopherol, Glyceryl behenate, Hydroxyacetophenone, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Polyglyceryl-2 isostearate, Disteardimonium hectorite, 1,2-hexanediol, Caprylyl glycol, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Xanthan gum, Dimethicone, Sclerotium gum, Lecithin, Pullulan, Trisodium ethylenediamine disuccinate, Jojoba esters, Polygonum aviculare extract, Malic acid, Potassium sorbate, Sodium benzoate
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Worth comparing, line by line.
Match % combines shared ingredients, the first five ingredients, shared actives and hero ingredients, irritancy (lower counts in the alternative's favour), texture and body area. Only products in the same routine step are compared.
| EltaMDUV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ CreamYOUR PRODUCT | NourishMaxTINTED MINERAL DEFENSE SUNSCREEN SPF 30 | CyberDERMAva Isa Pure Untinted SPF 45 | ROSE INCMini Solar Power Luminous SPF 30 Serum | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 54% | 51% | 51% |
| Price | $45.00 | — | $40.00−$5.00 | — |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 6 of 10 | 5 of 10 | 4 of 10 |
| Key difference | — | Tetrahexyldecyl Ascorbate | — | Bisabolol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 45 | SPF 30 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Maelove Sun Protector SPF 30Dermaquest Youth Protection SPF 30
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "EltaMD - UV Active Broad-Spectrum SPF50+ Cream" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This moisturizer is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This moisturizer contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of this moisturizer to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
What our users say
Based on 1 review 100% recommend this product- When it comes to comedogenicity, the reviewer found that it does not clog pores.
- As for the white cast, the reviewer reported a noticeable whitish residue.
- When it comes to using this sunscreen under makeup, the user found that it pills under a foundation.
Price
The product retails from 31.50$ up to 67.00$ in the United States.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 14 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6Safety Assessment of Alkyl Esters as Used in Cosmeticscir-safety.org
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