EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 40
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 40 · 2 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.
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.
Evens skin toneTetrahexyldecyl ascorbateWorks well
“Enriched with antioxidants to help visibly reduce skin discoloration.”
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).
Anti-agingAloe barbadensis leaf juice, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbateWorks well
“Helps reduce & prevent premature photoaging.”
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.
MoisturizingSide benefit the brand mentions · Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Coco-caprylate/caprate + 6 moreWorks
“This lightweight and water-resistant formula is gentle enough to wear daily and leaves skin feeling hydrated and moisturized.”
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.
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: cocos nucifera fruit extract, octyldodecyl neopentanoate.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy9 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
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Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Zinc oxide14%
- 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~40–60%
Octyldodecyl neopentanoate~6.5–9.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen
More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoateC15-19 alkane~4.4–6.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a nice product texture
More about C15-19 alkaneButyloctyl salicylate~2.8–4.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A synthetic ester of salicylic acid that is used to help disperse pigments and boost effectiveness of sunscreen ingredients. It is able to absorb UV light (working as an organic, or chemical filter), but is not approved as a sunscreen ingredient on its own
More about Butyloctyl salicylateCoco-caprylate/caprate~2.1–3.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/capratePolyhydroxystearic acid~1.6–2.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the formulation
More about Polyhydroxystearic acidCetearyl alcohol~1.4–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 2/5
A non-drying alcohol. Works as an emollient. Helps water and oil mix together and creates a nice product texture
More about Cetearyl alcoholPhenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer~1–1.5%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
A gelling agent that thickens the product consistency and leaves the skin with a velvety finish
More about Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymerTriethoxycaprylylsilane~0.85–1.3%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneCoco-glucoside~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- High
Used as a cleansing agent (surfactant) in cleansers. Helps water and oil mix together in lotions. Can be irritating
More about Coco-glucosideAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Traditionally used to treat sunburns, dermatitis and inflammation, but evidence for its effectiveness is lacking. The extract can contain humectants that help attract water into the skin
More about Aloe barbadensis leaf juiceTocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.85%
- 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 acetateIsohexadecane~0.4–0.95%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Improves the texture of the product and helps soften the skin. Helps oil and water mix together and can be used as a cleansing agent
More about IsohexadecaneSclerotium gum~0.2–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create gel-like formulas and stabilize emulsions
More about Sclerotium gumGlycerin~0.15–0.55%
- 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 GlycerinCocos nucifera fruit extract~0.15–0.5%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient. Found to be as effective as a moisturizer for dry skin as mineral oil. Could be comedogenic
More about Cocos nucifera fruit extractEthylhexylglycerin~0.05–0.25%
Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate~0.05–0.2%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Being a lipid soluble form of vitamin C, it is more stable than ascorbic acid, but still degrades quickly and needs to be stabilized in a formulation with another ingredient. It is claimed to penetrate skin better than pure vitamin C and have the the similar benefits, but solid studies of its effectiveness are lacking. Is likely to require a higher concentration in a product than pure vitamin C to be effective. It might be able to help reduce pore clogging.
More about Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbatePolysorbate 60~0.05–0.15%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.05–0.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, C15-19 alkane, Butyloctyl salicylate, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Polyhydroxystearic acid, Cetearyl alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Hydroxyethyl acrylate/sodium acryloyldimethyl taurate copolymer, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Coco-glucoside, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Tocopheryl acetate, Isohexadecane, Sclerotium gum, Glycerin, Cocos nucifera fruit extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate, Polysorbate 60, Sorbitan isostearate
Compare prices
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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 AOX Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 40YOUR PRODUCT | Sun BumMineral SPF 50 Sunscreen Spray | HydroPeptideSolar Defense Mineral | Derma EAll Sport Clear Zinc Mineral Sunscreen Spray SPF50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 37% | 37% | 37% |
| Price | $47.00 | $16.48−$30.52 | $55.00+$8.00 | $15.16−$31.84 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 | 3 of 5 |
| Key difference | — | Bisabolol | Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil | Bisabolol |
| Irritancy | Low | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 40 | SPF 50 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: Eau Thermale Avene Mineral Light Hydrating Sunscreen Lotion SPF 50+Supergoop! Sunnyscreen 100% Mineral Spray SPF 50 Baby Sunscreen
Product summary
We do not recommend "EltaMD - UV AOX Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 40" because it does not provide good UVA protection. UVA sun rays don't burn the skin, but they still lead to photoaging and hyperpigmentation.
Because it includes good moisturizing ingredients, it can also work as a hydrating day cream.
Sunscreen filters
This is a so-called "chemical" sunscreen. It means that it uses organic UV filters. They typically offer good sun protection and rarely leave a white cast, but they can be irritating for some people with sensitive skin. These are the sun protection ingredients in this sunscreen: butyloctyl salicylate 1.20% - 1.40%.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains actives that can be irritating. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be low. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 45.00$ 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 13 studies and safety reviews.
- 1A review of inorganic UV filters zinc oxide and titanium dioxideonlinelibrary.wiley.com
- 2
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- 6
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