EltaMD UV Glow Broad-Spectrum SPF36+ Untinted Serum
Works for
4 of 4 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 36 · 1 UV filterBroad 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.
Evens skin tone2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Niacinamide also helps improve and even skin tone—perfect for anyone with skin prone to 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-aging3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Rich in powerhouse antioxidants like high-purity niacinamide and ergothioneine , it brightens skin, protects against daily skin-aging aggressors, and promotes the appearance of healthy, glowing skin.”
This product can help reduce and prevent fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin elasticity and firmness because it contains niacinamide.
Keep in mind that it typically takes at least 6 weeks to notice any results because the changes that are needed to improve fine lines and elasticity happen in the deeper layers of the skin. No topical anti-aging product can “erase” wrinkles or fully reverse signs of aging.
This product can also 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.
Moisturizing11 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“This all-mineral sunscreen brightens and hydrates skin for a dewy, healthy glow.”
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, sodium hyaluronate.
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, isopropyl myristate.
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: niacinamide
Anti-blemishNot advertised by the brand · 2 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product might be able to help reduce blemishes and clogged pores because it contains niacinamide.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Zingiber officinale root extractMedium risk
Comedogenic3 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale3 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 oxide20.15%
- 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%
Coco-caprylate/caprate~6.5–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps to soften the upper layer of the skin without creating a greasy texture
More about Coco-caprylate/caprateNiacinamide~5–6.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Is proven to be effective in reducing blemishes, evening out skin tone and helping to improve lines and wrinkles. It helps the skin to repair sun damage, calm down inflammation and keep maintain good levels of moisture. The concentration of about 2% is effective for supporting the skin barrier and evening out the skin tone. Concentration of 4-6% is better for helping with acne and balancing the sebum production
More about NiacinamideIsopropyl myristate~3.1–3.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Could be comedogenic
More about Isopropyl myristatePolyglyceryl-3 diisostearate~2.2–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearateEthyl macadamiate~1.8–2.2%
Mica~1.7–2.1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Creates an illusion of smoother and more radiant skin tone. Adds shimmer to the skin by reflecting light
More about MicaGlycerin~1.6–1.9%
- 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 GlycerinPropanediol~1.3–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Acts as a solvent for other ingredients. Speeds up the absorption of other ingredients into the skin
More about PropanediolCetearyl nonanoate~1.2–1.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer~0.95–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymerUndecane~0.75–1.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps create a non-greasy finish on the skin
More about UndecaneCaprylic/capric triglyceride~0.7–1.05%
- 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 triglycerideTridecane~0.55–0.8%
Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate~0.55–0.85%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleateDisteardimonium hectorite~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A type of clay that is used to thicken the product consistency
More about Disteardimonium hectoritePhenoxyethanol~0.5–0.75%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolSodium chloride~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to stabilize mixtures of oil and water, and create thicker, gel-like product textures
More about Sodium chlorideMagnesium sulfate~0.45–0.65%
Tocopheryl acetate~0.35–0.65%
- 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 acetateIsostearic acid~0.5–0.7%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a nice product texture
More about Isostearic acidCocos nucifera fruit extract~0.35–0.65%
- 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 extractXanthan gum~0.3–0.55%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency
More about Xanthan gumBisabolol~0.25–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An active component of chamomile plant that historically has been used to calm down irritated skin. A recent study shows that bisabolol indeed can have some anti-inflammatory effect on skin, even though conclusive data is lacking. Bisabolol has a sweet floral scent and can be added to products for its aromatic properties
More about BisabololSilica~0.4–0.6%
Sodium hyaluronate~0.2–0.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
One of the best moisturizing ingredients. Attracts water into the upper layer of the skin
More about Sodium hyaluronateAloe barbadensis leaf juice~0.15–0.3%
- 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 juiceLactic acid~0.15–0.25%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
An exfoliating and moisturizing alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA). Typically causes less irritation than other AHAs, for example, glycolic acid. At high concentrations (about 15%), lactic acid can help reduce lines and wrinkles. Recent studies show that lactic acid can support the "good" bacteria living on skin's surface (healthy skin microbiome)
More about Lactic acidZingiber officinale root extract~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- High
A plant extract that can contain an irritating essential oil. Might have some anti-oxidant effect, but evidence is lacking
More about Zingiber officinale root extractErgothioneine~0.1–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Can help neutralize free radicals in skin. Preliminary studies show that it can be more effective than coenzyme Q10 but studies on effective concentration for topical applications are lacking
More about ErgothioneineIron oxides~0.05–0.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An umbrella term for the following three colorants: CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499. They might be able to offer some protection against visible light, but the degree of the protection is not clear
More about Iron oxidesIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Water, Coco-caprylate/caprate, Niacinamide, Isopropyl myristate, Polyglyceryl-3 diisostearate, Ethyl macadamiate, Mica, Glycerin, Propanediol, Cetearyl nonanoate, Capryloyl glycerin/sebacic acid copolymer, Undecane, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Tridecane, Polyglyceryl-3 polyricinoleate, Disteardimonium hectorite, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium chloride, Magnesium sulfate, Tocopheryl acetate, Isostearic acid, Cocos nucifera fruit extract, Xanthan gum, Bisabolol, Silica, Sodium hyaluronate, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Lactic acid, Zingiber officinale root extract, Ergothioneine, Iron oxides
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
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 Glow Broad-Spectrum SPF36+ Untinted SerumYOUR PRODUCT | MALIN + GOETZSPF30 Sunscreen High Protection | ReplenixTinted Oil-Free Face Sunscreen SPF50+ | SkinMedicaTotal Defense and Repair SPF 50 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 88% | 88% | 86% |
| Price | $38.50 | $43.63+$5.13 | $35.00−$3.50 | $61.20+$22.70 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 5 of 8 | 4 of 8 | 4 of 8 |
| Key difference | — | Glycogen | Lactic Acid | Knotgrass Extract |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Low |
| SPF | SPF 36 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
Product summary
The ingredient list suggests that "EltaMD - UV Glow Broad-Spectrum SPF36+ Untinted Serum" can provide reliable sun protection. We love that it can protect from both UVA and UVB rays (not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
Its formula is also hydrating, so you might not need an additional moistruizer during the day. This product prevents early signs of aging by protecting against sun damage (all broad spectrum sunscreens do that).
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses zinc oxide for sun protection. Zinc oxide almost never irritates the skin or stings eyes, but it can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
This sunscreen contains some common irritants, including those without a benefit for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of it to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 38.50$ in the United States and for 45.70CA$ in Canada.
For a detailed price comparison: click here.
Sources cited in this review
Every concentration estimate and effectiveness label is anchored to one of these 18 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
Affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate, WIMJ earns from qualifying purchases.