EltaMD UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Sunscreen
Works for
Sun protectionSPF 41 · 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.
MoisturizingLinoleic acid, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate + 3 moreWorks well
“gentle-daily sunscreen that absorbs quickly”
This product can help soften the skin and reduce its moisture loss with emollients and occlusives: octyldodecyl neopentanoate, isopropyl palmitate.
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).
The following ingredients in this product are especially good for supporting the skin barrier and helping with the hydration level: linoleic acid
Evens skin toneNo ingredient credited for this claimWorks well
“lightly tints your complexion to enhance the skin's radiance”
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-agingThioctic acidWorks well
“help diminish the visible signs of aging”
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-oxidationSide benefit · Thioctic acid, QuercetinWorks well
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.
Can it cause trouble?
Irritancy1 strong irritant: Iodopropynyl butylcarbamateMedium risk
Comedogenic2 ingredients rated 2 or more on the 0–5 pore-clogging scale2 flagged
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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 oxideTitanium dioxide7%
- 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 dioxideAlumina~23–35%
- 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 AluminaButylene glycol~7.5–11.3%
- 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 glycolCitric acid~4.5–6.8%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
Can work as an exfoliant but is typically used to adjust the product pH
More about Citric acidIodopropynyl butylcarbamate~0.01–0.02%
Iron oxides~2.6–3.9%
- 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 oxidesIsopropyl palmitate~1.9–2.9%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps soften the upper layer of the skin and create a thicker product consistency
More about Isopropyl palmitateLecithin~1.7–2.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used mostly for creating emulsions - helping oil and water mix together. Helps soften the upper layer of the skin
More about LecithinLinoleic acid~1.6–2.4%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An excellent emollient. Helps soften the skin, restore its barrier function, and can help to calm down inflammation. It can be helpful to prevent blemishes and clogged pores
More about Linoleic acidHydrogen dimethicone~1.2–1.8%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Helps the function of sunscreen and pigment ingredients in the formulation
More about Hydrogen dimethiconeOctyldodecyl neopentanoate~1.1–1.6%
- Irritation risk
- Low
An emollient that helps soften the skin. Often used to stabilize other ingredients, for example, sunscreen
More about Octyldodecyl neopentanoateCetyl stearate~0.9–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Oleth-3 phosphate~0.55–1.35%
- Irritation risk
- Medium
- Comedogenicity
- 3/5
Helps water and oil mix together
More about Oleth-3 phosphatePerfluorononyl dimethicone~0.5–1.15%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Phenoxyethanol~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
A preservative. It helps prevent bacterial growth in cosmetic products
More about PhenoxyethanolPolyacrylate-13~0.4–0.9%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Used to create a thicker product consistency and stabilize the product formulation
More about Polyacrylate-13Polyisobutene~0.35–0.8%
Polysorbate 20~0.2–0.7%
Water~0.15–0.55%
Quercetin~0.1–0.45%
- Irritation risk
- Low
Might be able to help neutralize free radicals in skin
More about QuercetinSodium hydroxide~0.1–0.35%
Thioctic acid~0.1–0.3%
Triethoxycaprylylsilane~0.05–0.25%
- 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 TriethoxycaprylylsilaneIngredient list view
Zinc oxide, Titanium dioxide, Alumina, Butylene glycol, Citric acid, Iodopropynyl butylcarbamate, Iron oxides, Isopropyl palmitate, Lecithin, Linoleic acid, Hydrogen dimethicone, Octyldodecyl neopentanoate, Cetyl stearate, Oleth-3 phosphate, Perfluorononyl dimethicone, Phenoxyethanol, Polyacrylate-13, Polyisobutene, Polysorbate 20, Water, Quercetin, Sodium hydroxide, Thioctic acid, Triethoxycaprylylsilane
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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 Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 SunscreenYOUR PRODUCT | CliniqueMoisture Surge CC Cream SPF 30 Medium | Face Reality SkincarepowerMineral SPF 50 | coxirCeramide Daily UV Sun Block | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Match | — | 56% | 54% | 52% |
| Price | $29.99 | $33.83+$3.84 | $38.00+$8.01 | $18.10−$11.89 |
| Shared key ingredients | — | 4 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 3 of 6 |
| Key difference | — | Octinoxate | Madecassic Acid | Ceramide Np |
| Irritancy | Medium | Low | Low | Medium |
| SPF | SPF 41 | SPF 30 | SPF 50 | SPF 50 |
| Drying alcohol | — | — | — | — |
| View product | Shop | Shop | Shop |
More alternatives: The Ordinary Mineral UV Filters SPF 30 with AntioxidantsIDF Solar Daily Mineral Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 30
Product summary
We assess that "EltaMD - UV Physical Broad-Spectrum SPF 41 Sunscreen" can provide reliable sun protection based on the ingredient list. It can protect from both UVA and UVB rays. This is great news because not all sunscreens with SPF ratings give UVA protection. (UVA rays do not cause sunburn, but still damage our skin and lead to early aging).
It should also be hydrating enough to use without an additional moisturizer during the day. Like all broad-spectrum sunscreens, this product helps prevent early signs of aging.
Sunscreen filters
It is a mineral sunscreen. It uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide for sun protection. Both titanium dioxide and zinc oxide almost never irritate even the most sensitive skin and eyes, but can leave a white cast.
Irritation risk
There are some common irritants in this product, including ingredients that do not have benefits for the skin. We assess the overall irritancy of this sunscreen to be medium. For a detailed overview of all potential irritants: click here
You can see the detailed formula review with the breakdown of all actives in the product and the full ingredient list with estimated concentrations in the tables below.
Price
The product retails for 60.00CA$ in Canada, for 79.99A$ in Australia and from 29.99$ up to 36.50$ 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
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- 6
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