EltaMD UV Luminous Broad Spectrum SPF 40
Works for
3 of 3 advertised claims delivered
Sun protectionSPF 40 · 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.
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimStrong support
“UV Luminous Broad Spectrum SPF 40”
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-aging2 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
“Gentle and lightly tinted it provides excellent protection against UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.”
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 · 3 ingredients credited for this claimStrong support
This product contains antioxidants (thioctic acid) that can help neutralize free radicals in skin. By doing so, they can lessen the damage the skin gets from the UV light (sun).
The following ingredients - quercetin also can have an antioxidant effect, but there is less evidence to confirm their effectiveness in skin.
MoisturizingNot advertised by the brand · 4 ingredients credited for this claimGood support
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: octyldodecyl neopentanoate, ethylhexyl stearate.
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?
Irritancy3 flagged ingredientsLow risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
User reviews
Be the first — your take helps the next person decide.
Ingredients
Filter by role to see what each ingredient is doing.
Titanium dioxide7.2%
- 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 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 oxideWater~45–55%
Isopropyl palmitate~6.6–8.1%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateEthylhexyl stearate~6.5–7.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about Ethylhexyl stearateOctyldodecyl neopentanoate~4.7–5.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen
More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoatePerfluorononyl dimethicone~3.6–4.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Alumina~3.2–3.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
The same compound that is used safely in dental implants and bone cements. In cosmetics, it is used to improve the consistency of products
More about AluminaPolyacrylate-13~2.6–3.2%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Polyacrylate-13Phenoxyethanol~0.5–1%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolHydrogen dimethicone~1.5–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps the function of sunscreen and pigment ingredients in the formulation
More about Hydrogen dimethiconePolyisobutene~1.2–1.4%
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.8–1.2%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneOleth-3 phosphate~0.7–1.05%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Oleth-3 phosphateCitric acid~0.6–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidPolysorbate 20~0.55–0.8%
Sorbitan isostearate~0.35–0.65%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps oil and water mix together
More about Sorbitan isostearateSodium hydroxide~0.25–0.5%
Thioctic acid~0.2–0.35%
Quercetin~0.15–0.3%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about QuercetinTocopherol~0.15–0.25%
- 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 TocopherolIngredient list view
Titanium dioxide, Zinc oxide, Water, Isopropyl palmitate, Ethylhexyl stearate, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Perfluorononyl dimethicone, Alumina, Polyacrylate-13, Phenoxyethanol, Hydrogen dimethicone, Polyisobutene, Triethoxycaprylylsilane, Oleth-3 phosphate, Citric acid, Polysorbate 20, Sorbitan isostearate, Sodium hydroxide, Thioctic acid, Quercetin, Tocopherol
Compare prices
Retailers ranked by price — lowest first.
Affiliate links · prices updated regularly
Product summary
We believe that "EltaMD - UV Luminous Broad Spectrum SPF 40" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredients listed. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because 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).
This sunscreen should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
This product 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 product does not contain known common irritants and is suitable for sensitive skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this product 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 28.00$ 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 12 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.